Joe Keyes’ seven-year-old son Archer and his five-year-old son Oliver were captivated by both USA Hockey Teams going for Gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics that they drew USA on posters, made red, white and blue pancakes, and chanted “USA USA USA” as their family was glued to the TV. The Keyes erupted in cheers along with the rest of America at the moment the USA Hockey Men’s Team struck gold February 26 on a cold Sunday morning.
“My sons were already thrilled when the USA Women’s Hockey Team won Gold Medals, but then their exuberance and passion for hockey exploded when both USA Hockey teams became champs” he said. “My seven-year-old Archer and my five-year-old Oliver are so inspired they signed up to learn how to play hockey.” Both of Joe’s sons gave the same reasons as to why the 2026 USA Hockey Olympians made them fall in love with hockey. They both agree that the Olympics, “were super fun,” they admire these great athletes and how they showed to be great leaders like their dad shows them.
What happened with Archer and Oliver is called ‘The Olympic Effect, according to Child Sports Psychologists.
NHL TEAM’S JUNIOR LEAGUE IS ALREADY SMASHING RECORDS
The NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets youth and junior hockey clubs agree with a phenomenon that Child Sports Psychologists at both Cleveland Clinic Children’s and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital call the ‘Olympic Effect.’ It’s already breaking records early on in 2026. Todd Sharrock, Vice President of Communications for the Blue Jackets said, “In the days following the Olympics registration for our spring hockey program increased by 50 percent selling out the class and allowing us to open advance summer registration, then on March 7, the Blue Jackets hosted Girls Hockey Day. The event sold out and for the first time had a waitlist.”
POWERFUL SUB-CONCIOUS MOTIVATIONAL MYSTERY EXPLAINED
According to Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Specialist Dr. Matthew Sacco, ”From a child psychiatry and sports psychiatry perspective, when kids watched the U.S. Women’s and Men’s teams win gold, they didn’t just see hockey, they saw identity, possibility, and belonging.” He added, “This isn’t a coincidence. It’s social modeling. Children learn and are motivated by observing people they admire.”
Vincent Caringi, MD, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland said, “I absolutely agree with the ‘Olympic Effect’. Youth learn that sports build tolerance, discipline and resilience.” He added, “Youth didn’t just see hockey, they saw identity, possibility, and belonging. When athletes are visible, relatable, and celebrated nationally they become powerful role models, during a time when kids and teens are actively forming identity.”
100,000! USA HOCKEY ALREADY SMASHING RECORDS THANKS TO THE ‘OLYMPIC EFFECT’
13-year-old Joanna Gilligan from Millcreek, Utah just became the 100,000th registrant to sign-up for USA Hockey’s girls program. It’s the first time USA Hockey hit the 100,000 mark, triggered by the historic 2026 Winter Olympic Games hockey teams, according to David Fischer, Senior Director of Communications, USA Hockey.
“Most exciting is that the next generation is already on the ice inspired by today’s players helping shape an even brighter future for our game,” said Kristin Sagaert, Director of Girls Hockey for USA Hockey. “USA Hockey is the foundation for ice hockey in America and focuses on growing the game,” said Fischer. USA Hockey becomes more successful each year, and 2026 is lining up to be extra special. “Our youth hockey development helps fuel players advancing to the highest levels of the game, including the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the National Hockey League.”
‘DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?’
John Malloy is Athletic Director at the highly regarded prep and varsity hockey programs at Gilmour Academy in Hunting Valley, Ohio, Malloy said, he too was swept up as a kid riveted watching the USA Men’s glorious hockey team during the 1980 ‘The Miracle on Ice’. Extra inspiration came when famous ABC Sports announcer Al Michaels gave the nation chills with his iconic call, “Do you believe in miracles…yes!”
Malloy said, “Those driven hockey heroes helped me accomplish my lifelong dream of getting a scholarship to play hockey at Michigan State University and professional hockey, now these 2026 USA hockey players who brought home the gold are quickly encouraging kids to want to try hockey.”
THE LAILA EDWARDS EFFECT
Laila Edwards, from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, is the first Black woman to play on a USA Hockey Team and the first Black woman to win a USA Hockey Gold Medal in the 2026 Olympics. Mike Chiellino, Head Coach of the Boys Hockey team at Gilmour Academy said, “Kids and teens look at Edwards and say why can’t that be me? Even if they don’t become a star, many girls will develop a passion for playing hockey.” Chiellino added, “Those who don’t stick with hockey will discover that sports are fun, plus sports are physically and mentally healthy.”
Edwards joins a superstar line-up of Olympians who triggered their own ‘Olympic Effect’ including ‘The Miracle on Ice’ Hockey Team,’ Mary Lou Retton, Nancy Kerrigan, Michael Phelps and most recently Mikaila Schiffrin driving up newcomers to academies in USA athletes’ respective Olympic Games.
LOCAL HEROES, THE BUCKEYE STATE AND BEYOND
When a local hero like Edwards strikes Olympic gold it especially gets more youth to want to play hockey in their local area. In this case, Northeast Ohio, where Edwards hails from. “Having three players from Ohio on the Gold Medal winning teams – Laila Edwards, Gwyneth Philips and J.T. Miller speaks to the growth of the sport in our state and will inspire kids from across Ohio to chase their dreams on the ice,” said Sharrock.
Dr. Sacco said a local Olympic star has a profoundly positive impact on youth in their hometowns and region. “Someone like Laila from your region, your club, your hometown rink or ski slope means the inspiration becomes personal.” He added, “Proximity turns admiration into identification.”
WORDS OF WISDOM, USA HOCKEY AND THE NHL
“Of course, in order to play hockey youth need to learn to skate first and some local city rec centers offer free or low cost lessons,” Chiellino said. He would also like parents to know that hockey is one of the more pricey sports with uniforms, gear, continued training and travel. Some rec centers also let youth borrow used gear for free, or to rent at reduced cost.
USA Hockey offers a tremendously helpful free program to parents and youth. “We offer two national ‘Try Hockey For Free’ events at USA Hockey each season and across the country other local programs hold similar events at times of the year,” he added. USA Hockey has not yet posted its next ‘Try Hockey For Free’ event for 2026 at this time, but there’s a good chance it will be more popular than ever.
THE QUESTION NOW IS…
Americans are proud of all of our champion Olympians, but these 2026 USA Olympians should also be proud of themselves for inspiring a new generation of our youth to score and chase their goal. The question now is who might be the next J.T. Miller and Laila Edwards?