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Could Flames netminder Dustin Wolf be headed to the Olympics?
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Ryan Pike
Jul 23, 2025, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 22, 2025, 21:13 EDT
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Friends, if there’s one thing we’ve learned not to do over the past awhile, it’s doubt the talents of Dustin Wolf.
Since he arrived in the Western Hockey League in 2017, he’s been one of the best goaltenders in every league he’s played in. He slid to the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft due to his size, but the Calgary Flames selected him at 214th overall. Since then, he was named the Western League’s top goaltender twice, the American League’s top goaltender twice (and MVP once) and was runner-up to Lane Hutson for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie last season.
Simply put, the California kid has a ton of skill and has generated a lot of momentum for himself over the last few seasons.
Could that momentum earn him a trip to Italy in February as part of the United States’ national men’s team for the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Over at Daily Faceoff, Matt Larkin and Anthony Trudeau put together their lineup projections for the American men’s team at the upcoming Winter Olympics. The two writers had a difference of opinion, regarding Wolf, when it came to the three goaltenders they included on their projected American rosters.
Larkin’s goalies were Jake Oettinger, Connor Hellebuyck and Wolf.
“A year ago, the No. 3 job was between Thatcher Demko and Jeremy Swayman. But Wolf outplayed them both over the past calendar year and has game-stealing ability. He gets my nod for now.”
Trudeau’s goalies were Hellebuyck, Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman.
“Dustin Wolf adjusted to the NHL with ease during a stellar rookie campaign; he ended up on some Hart ballots and was the Calder Trophy runner-up. In a bubble, he’d push hard for Swayman’s spot. Still, Swayman just went 7-0 at the World Championship. Rocking the boat in goal is taboo, even when it comes to third-stringers.”
A product of Gilroy, California – the garlic capital of the world – Wolf was one of 21 American-born goaltenders in the NHL in 2024-25. He was one of just five to play over 3,000 minutes, the others being Hellebuyck, Oettinger, Swayman and Joey Daccord. He was third in wins behind Hellebuyck and Oettinger, while also sitting fifth in save percentage and goals against average, and being tied for fourth in shutouts.
Statistically, the top two American goaltenders in the NHL are Hellebuyck and Oettinger. But Wolf seems to be in a cluster of three or four goalies vying for the third slot. If he has a strong start to the upcoming season, and someone like Swayman falters, he could work his way into a trip to Italy.
Do you think Wolf will make the American Olympic team? Let us know in the comments!

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