Mother McAuley graduate Abbey Murphy has won a gold medal with the United States women’s hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to secure the win on Thursday.
Murphy, who is from Evergreen Park and graduated from Mother McAuley in 2020, contributed two goals and seven points during the tournament. This marks her first Olympic gold medal, following a silver she earned as a teenager in 2022.
In an interview last month with Block Club Chicago, Murphy shared her feelings about being named to her second Olympic roster. “It takes a lot of weight off you knowing that you’ve made another Olympic roster, just another shot at your dreams,” Murphy said. “It’s the best feeling being able to tell my family, my friends, the people who have supported me to accomplish this dream.”
Murphy currently serves as captain for the University of Minnesota’s women’s hockey team. She spoke about her approach to competition ahead of traveling to Italy: “It’s playing fast, just kind of being that pest on the ice that’s always in your face and annoying to play against. Always gonna grind and leave everything out there, for sure, but it’s gonna be annoying to play against me,” Murphy said.
Her hockey career began early with the St. Jude Knights Hockey Club in Crestwood before joining the Chicago Mission youth program for eight years. Reflecting on those formative experiences, she said: “I played for the Chicago Mission for eight years for some wonderful coaches, had some of the best memories over there. They built me a lot, I had a lot of support and guidance both as a person and a player with that club team.”
Supporters across Chicago’s South Side have followed Murphy throughout these Olympics. Several local businesses organized watch parties in neighborhoods like Beverly and Evergreen Park.
“I love being a South Sider. I carry a lot of pride with it,” Murphy said in January. “I got a crowd of people behind me that are cheering us on. There is no place I would rather live.”
Team USA’s win marked its eighth gold medal at these Winter Games and brought its total medal count to 26 by late Thursday afternoon.
