It was another great year for hockey in 2014 with events from those set on the biggest stage in Sochi, Russia, to record numbers of youngsters trying hockey for the first time during Try Hockey for Free Day in November.
Browse all of the most read, viewed, shared and great stories from the year below.
USA Hockey President Ron DeGregorio Recaps 2014
2014 Year in Review Photo Gallery
USA Hockey's Story of the Year
The U.S. became the first nation to win back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in sled hockey by defeating Russia, 1-0, in the gold-medal game March 15. Josh Sweeney scored the game-winning goal and Steve Cash made six saves. Overall, the U.S. posted preliminary round wins over Italy (5-1) and South Korea (3-0), plus a semifinal triumph against Canada (3-0). Team USA avenged its only loss, a 2-1 setback versus Russia in the preliminary round, by topping the host country in the gold medal rematch.
U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team vs. Russia - March 15, 2014 (Gold-Medal Game)
Social Media
This tweet announcing Zach Parise as captain of the U.S. Men's Olympic Team drove the most traffic
It was a banner year for USA Hockey's social network in 2014. From national trending hashtags to record increases in followers, the connection to USA Hockey is stronger than ever. Check out some of the highlights from the year.
- Sports Business Journal crowned USA Hockey the most popular national governing body social network during the Olympics, noting a growth of more than 58,000 followers during the Sochi Games.
- The most interacted Tweet of the year was the first photo of the U.S. Men's Olympic Team in Sochi. More than 6,000 people re-tweeted the post.
#Trending Moments
#DawnsEarlyLight
With fans back home waking up in the wee hours of the morning to watch Team USA at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games, USA Hockey Magazine editor Harry Thompson invented a hashtag that quickly went viral.
#KnightTakeover
In recent months, Hilary Knight has represented the United States at the Winter Olympic Games, graced the pages of fashion and entertainment publications as well as ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue. Her Twitter takeover also trended nationally. Is there anything this woman can’t conquer?
#TryHockeyForFree
November 8 was record-setting for USA Hockey as its November Try Hockey for Free Day, presented by Kraft, introduced 14,767 children between the ages of 4 and 9 to the sport of hockey for the very first time.
Favorite Follows
1. Hilary Knight, U.S. Women's Olympic Ice Hockey Team
2014 was the year of Hilary Knight. From the Winter Olympic Games, to the ESPN The Magazine Body Issue, to a USA Hockey Twitter takeover, to skating with the Anaheim Ducks for this year's IIHF Girls Ice Hockey Weekend, the two-time U.S. Women's Olympic Ice Hockey Team member was everywhere. Keep up with her and all her ventures on Twitter, @Hilary_Knight.
2. Josh Pauls, U.S. Paralympic Ice Hockey Team
In 2014, Josh Pauls helped the U.S. make history at the Winter Paralympic Games successfully defending Team USA's Paralympic gold medal in sled hockey. The two-time Paralympic gold medalist is also known for his comedic side--check out some of Pauls' pranks and relive Team USA's historic Paralympic journey in the PBS documentary Ice Warriors: USA Sled Hockey. Also keep up with Pauls on Twitter, @SpudsUSA27.
3. David Backes, U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team
This year David Backes went to Sochi, Russia, hoping to secure a gold medal. Instead, he secured homes for Sochi dogs. Backes and his wife, Kelly, spearheaded an effort to bring homeless dogs back to the States, giving them forever homes and raising awareness of animal mistreatment around the globe. In November 2013, David and Kelly launched Athletes for Animals. Keep up with Backes and his philanthropic endeavors via Twitter, @DBackes42.
Top Videos
Stat of the Year: Users spent more than one million minutes watching USA Hockey videos in 2014, equivalent of nearly two years.
See all USA Hockey's videos on our YouTube channel
1. Adults Struggle on Big Ice
2. Post-Game Show USA vs Russia
3. How to Dress a Youth Hockey Player
4. 2014 World U17 Challenge Champions
5. Bring on the World Tour
Top USA Hockey Magazine Stories
USA Hockey Magazine Editor Harry Thompson ranked his favorite stories and covers from 2014.
1. Oshie on Fire
Long before the drama of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, when an army of American hockey fans would get up early on a Saturday to watch a new USA Hockey legend take his place alongside names like Christian and Craig and Eruzione, there was a condo complex north of Seattle, and a steel garbage container that doubled as a net for kids who liked to play street hockey.
2. Okposo's Star Rises
The son of a Nigerian father and American mother, Kyle Okposo has been a standout at every level of the game, from Shattuck-St. Mary’s, to the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League to the University of Minnesota and the NHL's New York Islanders
3. Jincy Dunne's Transition Game
A common consensus with all who have bore witness to Jincy Dunne on the ice is 'this girl is good.' She impresses teammates and rivals alike, whether on her USA Hockey Nationals qualifying youth team, or with the U.S. Women's National Team.
Best USA Hockey Magazine Covers
Best USA Hockey Magazine Covers of 2014
Pick Your Favorite
Technology by the Numbers
Mobile Coach
- 43,000 users in 2014
- 1,000,000+ screen views
- A Top-10 sports app in 17 countries
- 600,000+ video views in app
Mobile Rulebook
- 75,000 users in 2014
- 437,000 page views
- 32,000 minutes spent watching officiating videos
- 218 people per day use mobile site
Most Popular Web Articles
1. Olympic Teams Announced at Winter Classic
USA Hockey announced the players that made up its 2014 U.S. Olympic men's and women's teams as part of the festivities at the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. The announcement was made at Michigan Stadium before a world-record crowd and also broadcast live on NBC Sports in the United States. Read Full Article
- Parise to Captain 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team
- U.S. Men Beat Russia, 3-2, in Preliminary Round Thriller
- 2014 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team Unveiled
- Nike 2014 U.S. Olympic Jerseys Unveiled
- A Letter to Parents - Let Kids be Kids
- U.S. Men Advance to Semifinals with Win Against Czech Republic
- 2015 U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster Announced
- Profiling True College Hockey Prospects
- 2014 NTDP Evaluation Camp Roster Announced
- 5 Stickhandling Drills for Adults
- Keep Knuckleheads Off the Ice
- 2015 Toyota-USA Hockey National Championships Locations Announced
- Don't be that Parent
- 2015 All-American Prospects Game Roster Announced
- U.S. Men Downed by Canada, 1-0, in Olympic Semifinals
- 2014 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team Roster Announced
- U.S. Men Downed by Canada, 1-0, in Olympic Semifinals
- Extraordinary Sportsmanship Makes for Memorable Night in Minnesota
- Sixty-Nine Players Invited to 2014 USA Hockey Women's National Festival
- NTDP Announces First Eight Commits for 2014-15 Season
- NTDP Announces 11 Commits for 2014-15 Season
- Toyota-USA Hockey Nationals App Launches
- 2014 National Champions Crowned
- U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2014 Announced
Web By the Numbers
- 23 million page views
- 7.6 million visitors
- 100% increase in mobile visits
Favorite Moments
Pond Hockey Records
The ninth annual Labatt Blue/USA Hockey Pond Hockey National Championships took place Feb. 7-9 on Dollar Lake in Eagle River, Wisconsin. The event featured 336 teams and nearly 2,300 players participating in 600 games on 30 rinks.
Youth Hockey Blog
Launched in December, the new Youth Hockey Blog is your home for quick youth hockey news from across the country. Check it out today
Hall of Fame
Passion for hockey was a common theme as the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2014 – including Karyn Bye Dietz, Brian Rafalski, Jeff Sauer and Lou Vairo -- was formally inducted before a capacity crowd in the grand ballroom of the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.