Title: **From Buckeye Nation to Olympic Ice: Ohio State’s Hockey Dynasty Takes Center Stage** In an unexpected twist of sports dynamics, Ohio State University (OSU) has emerged as more than just a football powerhouse. The university’s women’s ice hockey team is now making waves on the international stage at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, with 12 current or former Buckeyes representing five different countries. Since Nadine Muzerall took over as coach in 2016, Ohio State has transformed from a hockey also-ran into an NCAA champion team, winning titles in both 2022 and 2024. The team’s impressive run includes appearances in the 2023 and 2025 title games as well. This season, they are ranked second nationally. The Olympic women’s hockey competition has been a breeding ground for this unexpected influence. Five players from this year’s Ohio State team are now competing against each other. Three current Buckeyes play for Sweden alone! The camaraderie between these athletes during practices at OSU is so intense that trash talk has been kept to a minimum, according to Hilda Svensson, a Swedish forward who has become one of the NCAA’s top scorers in her freshman year. However, should the U.S. and Sweden face off against each other in the knockout round—a possibility discussed immediately after the tournament’s draw was announced—the friendly banter might take a backseat to fierce competition. Joy Dunne, an American forward who scored for the US on Thursday, expressed her eagerness for such a matchup: “Me and the Swedish girls really want to play each other because one’s a big chirper and I think it’d be fun.” On Saturday, Dunne faced off against a current Buckeye teammate when the U.S. played Finland. Sanni Vanhanen, a freshman forward at Ohio State who was part of Finland’s 2022 bronze medal-winning team at the Beijing Olympics, represented her country in this game. The impact of Ohio State’s hockey program extends beyond just its current and former players. Muzerall’s approach to coaching has created a culture that values skill development, mental toughness, and camaraderie—a recipe for success on any stage. As we watch these Buckeye athletes compete at the highest level in Milan-Cortina, it becomes clear that Ohio State is not just fueling Olympic hockey; they are setting a new standard for women’s ice hockey worldwide. This unexpected rise of OSU as an international powerhouse serves as a reminder that success can come from unexpected places when there is dedication to excellence and a commitment to nurturing talent. As we cheer on these athletes, let us also celebrate the role Ohio State University has played in shaping their journeys so far—and no doubt inspiring future generations of hockey players along the way.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/ohio-state-iolympics-hockey-rcna257761)
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