Hurricanes' Slavin Makes History as 2nd American to Win Olympic Gold, NHL Stanley Cup in Same Year
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin carved out a special place in American hockey history with the team's Stanley Cup Final win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno and Mark Anderson noted he's just the second U.S. player to win a gold medal and lift the Stanley Cup in the same year.
Ken Morrow previously pulled off the feat. He was part of the "Miracle on Ice" squad at the 1980 Winter Olympics and then won a title with the New York Islanders as a rookie during the 1979-80 season.
Morrow had been in a class by himself for 22 years before Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan prevailed with Canada and the Detroit Red Wings in 2002. Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Drew Doughty have since joined the club as well.
The Hurricanes became NHL champions for the second time with a 3-0 victory in Game 6. Slavin registered an assist on Taylor Hall's opening goal in the first period, with Jackson Blake and Nikolaj Ehlers adding to the tally later on.
Slavin finished the postseason with five assists, and he spent the second-most time on the ice among the Canes' skaters.
For the remainder of his hockey career, the 32-year-old will have a hard time topping what he achieved in 2026.
