Brightstar Resources (BTR:AU) has announced High-grade assays incl 4m @ 26.7g/t Au in Sandstone drilling
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Aurum Resources (AUE:AU) has announced Boundiali Resource Grows to 3Moz – Indicated Up 49%
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Locksley Resources (LKY:AU) has announced LKY Commences Diamond Drilling at Desert Antimony Mine
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Gold and silver prices experienced declines early in the week, but ended higher.
The yellow metal closed the week at US$5,111.88 per ounce, while silver finished at US$84.65 per ounce, buoyed by reignited tariff uncertainty out of the US.
On Friday (February 20), the US Supreme Court stuck down tariffs put in place by President Donald Trump using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. He quickly responded by announcing a new 10 percent global tariff and then increasing it to 15 percent, ramping up trade tensions.
Earlier in the week, Wednesday (February 18) brought the release of the US Federal Reserve’s latest meeting minutes, which show that although officials largely agreed with the January decision to hold interest rates steady, they aren’t aligned about the path forward as 2026 continues.
What’s received more attention is the Lunar New Year holiday.
Most Asian markets are closed for the occasion, and will reopen next week. I asked Ole Hansen of Saxo Bank about the significance of the closure, and he said that in his view, the more important question is what will happen when they’re back in business next week.
Here’s how he thinks that could play out:
‘I think … if they come back to more or less unchanged prices, they will see that probably as a buying opportunity. Simply — well, they probably hope that they might be able to pick it up cheaper in the absence. But if we can manage to hold these levels, then there could be a positive story building as we as we see China reopen.’
Hansen is bullish on gold this year, saying he sees it reaching US$6,000 in the next 12 months.
But interestingly, he has a different take on silver — he thinks the white metal’s upside could be limited by demand-side factors like substitution and higher supply from scrap material.
‘Gold over time can go to US$10,000, it can go to US$20,000 — it’s a monetary metal, which doesn’t really depend on demand from areas where demand could be negatively impacted with the price.
‘Silver hasn’t got that luxury. And that basically means if gold moves towards US$6,000, I would believe that — I would think that silver, at some point, will struggle to keep up, and we will see basically gold relatively outperform silver. But when that point, when that time comes, I can’t see. Again it’s very unclear, especially given the speculative demand, which can carry on for a while longer.’
I also heard this week from Christopher Aaron of iGold Advisor and Elite Private Placements, who has a much brighter outlook for silver — he said given that the metal has just broken out of a 45 year consolidation period, it still has much further to go:
‘Now that whole process, the 45 year consolidation breakout and now coming back, that is — for a number of people here — that is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime breakout. We’re talking a multi-generational breakout happening in silver right now. And it’s really important to — I mean, the bottom line is this: After 45 years of consolidation, a market doesn’t end just two months after a breakout and then kind of withering and petering out for the next 45 years. Again, that’s not how 45 year breakouts happen when we look back.’
Ultimately Aaron sees US$250 to US$350 as a reasonable price level for silver.
Bullet briefing — TSX Venture 50, BHP/Wheaton deal
Gold, silver dominate TSX Venture 50
The latest TSX Venture 50 list was released on Wednesday, with gold and silver juniors dominating. In fact, of the companies included, only three fall outside the mining sector.
The list ranks TSXV companies’ annual performance by market cap growth, share price performance and Canadian consolidated trading value. Taking the top spot was Santacruz Silver Mining (TSXV:SCZ,NASDAQ:SCZM), which had an impressive share price increase of over 1,100 percent.
As a group, the companies on the list delivered a share price increase of 431 percent.
We’ll have to wait and see whether these types of gains are repeated — or exceeded — in 2026, but the list definitely underscores the strength in gold and silver prices, and shows that their momentum is boosting not just the majors, but also the juniors.
BHP, Wheaton sign streaming deal
On the M&A side, BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP) has entered into a long-term streaming agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX:WPM,NYSE:WPM).
Under the deal, which was signed by subsidiaries of BHP and Wheaton, BHP will receive an upfront payment of US$4.3 billion in exchange for the delivery of silver from the Peru-based Antamina mine, plus ongoing payments when metal is delivered. According to BHP, this is the most valuable streaming transaction to date based on upfront consideration received.
Antamina is a joint venture between commodities giants BHP, Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTCPL:GLCNF), Teck Resources (TSX:TECK.A,TECK.B,NYSE:TECK) and Mitsubishi (TSE:8058,OTCPL:MSBHF), and Wheaton already has a silver stream in place with Glencore. Once the BHP arrangement closes, Wheaton will receive a combined 67.5 percent of the mine’s silver.
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project, Canada
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Cygnus sets up value drivers for 2026 with exploration and resource growth a high priority
- At Cedar Bay, Downhole Electromagnetics (‘DHEM’) is in progress to identify follow-up targets from recent intersections1 such as:
- 28.9m at 2.5g/t AuEq (1.0g/t Au, 1.0% Cu & 12.0g/t Ag) (CDR-25-16)
- 10.6m at 4.1g/t AuEq (3.6g/t Au, 0.3% Cu & 2.8g/t Ag) (CDR-25-11W1)
- This is the first time DHEM is being used at Cedar Bay in over 20 years
- Drilling has started at Golden Eye to test extensions below the current resource, which stands at 0.5Mt at 5.6g/t AuEq for 91koz AuEq (Indicated) and 1.2Mt at 4.6g/t AuEq for 182koz AuEq (Inferred)2
- At Joe Mann, a detailed Induced Polarisation (‘IP’) survey is underway to identify walk-up drill targets analogous to IAMGOLD’s Nelligan Complex deposits which contain 4.3Moz Au (M&I) and 7.5Moz Au (Inferred)3 located just 10km west of Joe Mann
- Permits are being submitted for the Gwillim prospect for drilling in the coming quarter; This will co-funded by 50% JV partner Alamos Gold, which has a market capitalisation of ~C$25B. Initial targets will follow up historic intersections4 of:
- 7.6m @ 38.1g/t Au from 314.9m (87-KOD-18);
- 15.2m @ 9.4g/t Au from 155.1m (87-KOD-1); and
- 16.4m @ 8.3g/t Au from 168.3m (87-KOD-10).
- Cygnus believes there is significant potential to continue growing the Chibougamau resource, which stands at 6.4Mt at 3% CuEq for 193kt CuEq (M&I) and 8.5Mt at 3.5% CuEq for 295kt CuEq (Inferred)2
| Cygnus Executive Chairman David Southam said: ‘There is overwhelming evidence which points to the potential for substantial resource growth at Chibougamau. The resources remain open in many places and we have a pipeline of compelling targets to test.
‘We have devised an extensive program of drilling and geophysics to unlock this upside. This will include brownfields drilling as well as testing new targets. After growing the resource by 29 per cent last year, we are confident that our exploration strategy will deliver more strong results and create more value for shareholders. ‘We are now drilling at Golden Eye and Cedar Bay, which provide substantial resource upside. ‘Joe Mann and Gwillim have excellent discovery potential and have been materially overlooked for the last 20 years. With this potential and the current gold price we are excited to commence exploration on these targets’. |
Cygnus Metals Limited (ASX: CY5; TSXV: CYG,OTC:CYGGF; OTCQB: CYGGF) (‘Cygnus’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce the start of extensive exploration programs aimed at growing the resources at its Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project in Quebec.
Resource growth and discovery remain a key pillar of Cygnus’ growth strategy as the Company continues to unlock the Chibougamau district. A key focus is brownfields exploration, including extensions to deposits such as Cedar Bay and Golden Eye.
At Cedar Bay, Downhole Electromagnetics (‘DHEM’) is in progress to define follow up drill targets from recent exploration drilling1 which returned:
- 28.9m at 2.5g/t AuEq (1.0g/t Au, 1.0% Cu & 12.0g/t Ag) (CDR-25-16)
- 10.6m at 4.1g/t AuEq (3.6g/t Au, 0.3% Cu & 2.8g/t Ag) (CDR-25-11W1)
Recent drilling successfully demonstrated extensions to the current resource at Cedar Bay of 0.3Mt at 8.1g/t AuEq for 67koz (M&I) and 0.8Mt at 7.8g/t AuEq for 205koz (Inferred).2 DHEM aims to define resource extensions as well as identifying high grade shoots which are typically associated with semi massive sulphides. This will be the first time DHEM is being used at Cedar Bay in over 20 years, presenting a huge opportunity for Cygnus.
At Golden Eye, drilling has commenced with three rigs to grow the Indicated Resource and extend the resource below the currently defined depth of just 450m. Golden Eye was a new resource defined by Cygnus last year of 0.5Mt at 5.6g/t AuEq for 91koz (Indicated) and of 1.2Mt at 4.6g/t AuEq for 182koz (Inferred)2 and remains open at depth with one of the deepest intersections5 from last year of:
- 2.9m @ 10.2g/t AuEq (8.3g/t Au, 1.4% Cu & 3.3g/t Ag) from 463.8m (LDR-25-08)
The Company also has a strong focus on defining new resources and making discoveries. Two key areas identified as high priority are gold targets Joe Mann and Gwillim.
At Joe Mann, the Company has commenced a detailed Induced Polarisation (‘IP’) survey along major structures to identify walk-up drill targets for Q2 this year. Cygnus is targeting analogous mineralisation to IAMGOLD’s Nelligan Complex, which is located just 10km west of the project and contains 4.3Moz Au (M&I) and 7.5Moz Au (Inferred).3
This survey will help to generate further drill targets in addition to some of the high-grade historic intersections which also require follow up.4 These include:
- 0.7m @ 480.2g/t Au from 92.3m (H-118);
- 3.8m @ 20.8g/t Au from 287.2m (H-214); and
- 8.4m @ 6.3g/t Au from 175.6m (H-374).
At Gwillim, permits are underway for drilling to commence in the coming quarter. Drilling at Gwillim will be co-funded by 50% JV partner Alamos Gold, which has a market capitalisation of ~C$25B. Gwillim is just 12km from the Chibougamau processing facility and has high potential for defining new resources. Initial drilling will focus on following up high-grade historic intersections4 such as:
- 7.6m @ 38.1g/t Au from 314.9m (87-KOD-18);
- 15.2m @ 9.4g/t Au from 155.1m (87-KOD-1); and
- 16.4m @ 8.3g/t Au from 168.3m (87-KOD-10).
The Chibougamau area has well-established infrastructure, giving the Project a significant headstart as a copper-gold development opportunity. This infrastructure includes a 900,000tpa processing facility, local mining town, sealed highway, airport, regional rail infrastructure and 25kV hydro power to the processing site. Significantly, the Chibougamau processing facility is the only processing facility within a 250km radius.
Figure 1: Exploration progressing across mutiple fronts with a focus on both resource extensions and discovery
Figure 2: Joe Mann IP survey covering key structures from IAMGOLD’s major deposits Nelligan and Phillibert3
This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of Cygnus.
| David Southam Executive Chair T: +61 8 6118 1627 E: info@cygnusmetals.com |
Nicholas Kwong President & CEO T: +1 647 921 0501 E: info@cygnusmetals.com |
Media: Paul Armstrong Read Corporate T: +61 8 9388 1474 |
About Cygnus Metals
Cygnus Metals Limited (ASX: CY5, TSXV: CYG,OTC:CYGGF, OTCQB: CYGGF) is a diversified critical minerals exploration and development company with projects in Quebec, Canada and Western Australia. The Company is dedicated to advancing its Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project in Quebec with an aggressive exploration program to drive resource growth and develop a hub-and-spoke operation model with its centralised processing facility. In addition, Cygnus has quality lithium assets with significant exploration upside in the world-class James Bay district in Quebec, and REE and base metal projects in Western Australia. The Cygnus team has a proven track record of turning exploration success into production enterprises and creating shareholder value.
Forward Looking Statements
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements and projections regarding estimates, resources and reserves; planned production and operating costs profiles; planned capital requirements; and planned strategies and corporate objectives. Such forward looking statements/projections are estimates for discussion purposes only and should not be relied upon. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Cygnus’ control. Cygnus makes no representations and provides no warranties concerning the accuracy of the projections and disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements/projections based on new information, future events or otherwise except to the extent required by applicable laws. While the information contained in this release has been prepared in good faith, neither Cygnus or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors give any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information, opinions and conclusions contained in this release. Accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted by law, none of Cygnus, its directors, employees or agents, advisers, nor any other person accepts any liability whether direct or indirect, express or limited, contractual, tortuous, statutory or otherwise, in respect of the accuracy or completeness of the information or for any of the opinions contained in this release or for any errors, omissions or misstatements or for any loss, howsoever arising, from the use of this release.
End Notes
- Refer to Cygnus’ ASX announcements dated 30 October 2025 and 8 December 2025.
- Refer to Cygnus’ ASX announcement dated 17 September 2025 and subsequent technical report dated 31 October 2025 titled ‘NI 43-101 Technical Report Chibougamau Hub and Spoke Complex, Québec, Canada’ prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (‘NI 43-101’) and the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code (2012 Edition).
- Refer to IAMGOLD’s news release dated 17 February 2026.
- Refer to Cygnus’ ASX announcement dated 20 January 2026.
- Refer to Cygnus’ ASX announcement dated 8 May 2025.
Qualified Persons and Compliance Statements
The scientific and technical information in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Mr Louis Beaupre, the Quebec Exploration Manager of Cygnus, a ‘qualified person’ as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
The information in this release that relates to the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Chibougamau Project reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012 Edition) and NI 43-101 was released by Cygnus in an announcement titled ‘Major Resource Update’ released to the ASX on 17 September 2025 and subsequent technical report dated 31 October 2025 titled ‘NI 43-101 Technical Report Chibougamau Hub and Spoke Complex, Québec, Canada’ prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (‘NI 43-101’) and the JORC Code (2012 Edition). Details of the Mineral Resource Estimate are included in Appendix A.
The information in this announcement that relates to previously reported Exploration Results at the Company’s projects has been previously released by Cygnus in ASX Announcements as noted in the End Notes.
Individual grades for the metals included in the metal equivalents calculations for the Mineral Resource Estimate, as well as the price assumptions, metallurgical recoveries and metal equivalent calculations themselves, are in Appendix A of this release. Individual grades for the metals included in the metal equivalents calculation for the exploration results are in the original market announcements. Metal equivalents for exploration results have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,350/oz and silver price of US$25/oz, with copper equivalents calculated based on the formula CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.77258)+(Ag(g/t) x 0.00822). Metallurgical recovery factors have been applied to the copper equivalents calculations for the exploration results, with copper metallurgical recovery assumed at 95% and gold metallurgical recovery assumed at 85% based upon historical production at the Chibougamau Processing Facility, and the metallurgical results contained in Cygnus’ announcement dated 28 January 2025. It is the Company’s view that all elements in the copper and gold equivalent calculations have a reasonable potential to be recovered and sold.
Cygnus is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information in these announcements, and in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons’ findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
APPENDIX A – Mineral Resource Estimate for the Chibougamau Project as at 17 September 2025
| Cu Project |
Classification | COG CuEq |
Tonnage | Average Grade | Contained Metal | ||||||||
| Cu | Au | Ag | CuEq | AuEq | Cu | Au | Ag | CuEq | AuEq | ||||
| % | Mt | % | g/t | g/t | % | g/t | kt | koz | koz | kt | koz | ||
| Corner Bay | Indicated | 1.2 | 4.9 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 8.4 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 124 | 43 | 1,316 | 137 | 638 |
| Inferred | 5.4 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 8.9 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 146 | 41 | 1,543 | 159 | 744 | ||
| Devlin | Measured | 1.5 | 0.1 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 4.7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 19 |
| Indicated | 0.6 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 69 | ||
| M&I | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 3.6 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 88 | ||
| Inferred | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 36 | ||
| Joe Mann | Inferred | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 6.0 | – | 4.6 | 6.3 | 2 | 143 | – | 34 | 151 |
| Cedar Bay | Indicated | 1.8 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 6.0 | 9.9 | 6.4 | 8.1 | 4 | 50 | 82 | 16 | 67 |
| Inferred | 0.8 | 2.0 | 5.1 | 11.8 | 6.1 | 7.8 | 17 | 134 | 309 | 50 | 205 | ||
| Golden Eye | Indicated | 0.5 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 9.9 | 4.4 | 5.6 | 5 | 69 | 161 | 22 | 91 | |
| Inferred | 1.2 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 7.9 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 11 | 134 | 313 | 45 | 182 | ||
| Project | Classification | Tonnage | Average Grade | Contained Metal | |||||||||
| Cu | Au | Ag | CuEq | AuEq | Cu | Au | Ag | CuEq | AuEq | ||||
| Mt | % | g/t | g/t | % | g/t | kt | koz | koz | kt | koz | |||
| Hub and Spoke | Measured | 0.1 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 4.7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 19 | |
| Indicated | 6.3 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 7.8 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 146 | 166 | 1,563 | 189 | 865 | ||
| M&I | 6.4 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 7.6 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 149 | 167 | 1,565 | 193 | 884 | ||
| Inferred | 8.5 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 7.9 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 182 | 454 | 2,168 | 295 | 1,318 | ||
Notes:
- Cygnus’ Mineral Resource Estimate for the Chibougamau Copper-Gold project, incorporating the Corner Bay, Devlin, Joe Mann, Cedar Bay, and Golden Eye deposits, is reported in accordance with the JORC Code and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (‘CIM’) (2014) definitions in NI 43-101.
- Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term copper price of US$9,370/t, gold price of US$2,400/oz, and silver price of US$30/oz, and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1:1.35.
- Mineral Resources are estimated at a CuEq cut-off grade of 1.2% for Corner Bay and 1.5% CuEq for Devlin. A cut-off grade of 1.8 g/t AuEq was used for Cedar Bay and Golden Eye; and 2.0 g/t AuEq for Joe Mann.
- Corner Bay bulk density varies from 2.85 tonnes per cubic metre (t/m3) to 3.02t/m3 for the estimation domains and 2.0 t/m3 for the overburden. At Devlin, bulk density varies from 2.85 t/m3 to 2.90 t/m3. Cedar Bay, Golden Eye, and Joe Mann use a bulk density of 2.90 t/m³ for the estimation domains.
- Assumed metallurgical recoveries are as follows: Corner Bay copper is 93%, gold is 78%, and silver is 80%; Devlin copper is 96%, gold is 73%, and silver is 80%; Joe Mann copper is 95%, gold is 84%, and silver is 80%; and Cedar Bay and Golden Eye copper is 91%, gold is 87%, and silver is 80%.
- Assumptions for CuEq and AuEq calculations (set out below) are as follows: Individual metal grades are set out in the table. Commodity prices used: copper price of US$9,370/t, gold price of US$2,400/oz and silver price of US$30/oz. Assumed metallurgical recovery factors: set out above. It is the Company’s view that all elements in the metal equivalent calculations have a reasonable potential to be recovered and sold.
- CuEq Calculations are as follows: (A) Corner Bay = grade Cu (%) + 0.68919 * grade Au (g/t) + 0.00884 * grade Ag (g/t) ; (B) Devlin = grade Cu (%) + 0.62517 * grade Au (g/t) + 0.00862 * grade Ag (g/t); (C) Joe Mann = grade Cu (%) + 0.72774* grade Au (g/t); and (D) Golden Eye and Cedar Bay = grade Cu (%) + 0.78730* grade Au (g/t) + 0.00905 * grade Ag (g/t).
- AuEq Calculations are as follows: (A) Corner Bay = grade Au (g/t) + 1.45097* grade Cu(%)+0.01282* grade Ag (g/t); (B) Devlin = grade Au (g/t) + 1.59957* grade Cu(%)+0.01379* grade Ag (g/t); (C) Joe Mann = grade Au (g/t) + 1.37411* grade Cu (%); and (D) Cedar Bay and Golden Eye = grade Au (g/t) + 1.27016 * grade Cu (%) + 0.01149 * grade Ag (g/t).
- Wireframes were built using an approximate minimum thickness of 2 m at Corner Bay, 1.8 m at Devlin, 1.2 m at Joe Mann, and 1.5 m at Cedar Bay and Golden Eye.
- Mineral Resources are constrained by underground reporting shapes.
- Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
- Totals may vary due to rounding.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f3d9271-0c1d-4946-b6b7-907187bb4f3a
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf51280f-9701-4436-8255-c21949f90dfe
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
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MILAN — It seemed only fitting that the player who gave his two front teeth to Team USA’s quest for Olympic hockey gold would score the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.
Jack Hughes took a high stick to the mouth from Canada’s Sam Bennett in the third period, which drew blood and kept Hughes down on the ice for a few moments.
‘My first thought was, I looked down on the ice and saw my teeth,’ Hughes said, giving media members a big toothless grin on Sunday. ‘Like, here we go again. … I know the last time that happened, wasn’t really fun.’
Hughes’ second thought was he just landed his team an ‘elite first power play,’ four-minutes to be exact, after Bennett was called for a double minor penalty at 53:26. ‘I thought they were going on the ice to score. It was going to be a gold medal. And then obviously I come on the ice and I take a penalty,’ Hughes said.
Hughes, too, was called for high sticking at 56:37, effectively cutting Team USA’s advantage to 2 minutes and 49 seconds and putting the Americans at a disadvantage in the closing minutes of regulation.
As for Hughes’ third thought? ‘I pictured myself on Barstool (Sports) being the guy that America hates because Canada scores in the power play and I was like, ‘Oh my God, here it is.’ And (Dylan Larkin) and (Brock Nelson) did an unbelievable job in that penalty kill. So just glad we got out of that pickle I put us in.’
Shop Team USA hockey gold medal gear
Neither side could capitalize on their respective power plays and the gold-medal game went to the sudden-death, 3-on-3 overtime format. That’s when Hughes got the Americans out of a bind.
In the extra period, Hughes showed his grit, even without his missing teeth, by hustling down the ice on a U.S. rush, and taking a perfect pass from Zach Werenski to beat Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington 1:40 into overtime. When the puck hit the back of the net, U.S. men’s hockey claimed its first Olympic gold since 1980.
‘Jack ‘the Superstar’ Hughes. I don’t know how many (teeth) he lost, but it’s only fitting,’ Matthew Tkachuk said following the overtime win, which coincidently happened on the 46th anniversary of the ‘Miracle on Ice’ victory in 1980. ‘That’s a guy who is willing to give it all and what a huge goal.’
Hughes was all smiles, except for parts of those two missing teeth, coming off the ice.
Quinn Hughes said he’s ‘proud’ and ‘happy’ for his younger brother, who he dubbed ‘a fricking gamer. He’s always been a gamer. Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. An American hero.’ Quinn Hughes said it was ‘extra special for me to watch him do that,’ considering Hughes’ long journey back from injury.
‘There’s a bunch of idiots out there and they don’t know … what it’s like to get surgery for six months, not really feel good for 10 months and do that back to back,’ Quinn Hughes said. ‘And for him to just persevere and keep believing and just keep going no matter what happens. He’s a special guy and a special player.’
Quinn Hughes recalled the specific moment he realized his brother’s deep passion for the game and the lessons it teaches. He said all the highs and lows helped keep his brother even-keeled ahead of overtime. Hughes didn’t even appear to be nervous during the intermission before the extra period, Quinn Hughes added.
‘I remember when he got injured … he was just crushed. And a couple days after that he sent me a text message of what he wanted to say to the media in a post on Instagram. It was basically a long message about how much he loves the game and … just wants to play,’ Quinn Hughes said. ‘It was so raw and I told him to take some stuff out. But I remember thinking this guy just loves the game. He just wants to play it. And for him to make that impact, I’m not surprised because when I look around the room before overtime, there’s probably three or four guys that look at him, that guy’s not nervous. He wants to be that guy. And I felt that way about Jack.’
Head coach Mike Sullivan said Hughes is ‘a high stakes player’ for the team.
‘Jack had a terrific tournament from the first game on. The goals he scored were big-time goals,’ Sullivan said. ‘It’s an emotional rollercoaster when you go through these experiences and I just think Jack was at the center of a lot of the good things that happened for our team. … He brought his very best when these stakes were the highest. Tonight was a perfect example of it.’
Although Hughes is being hailed as a hero, he quickly shifted the focus away from himself and turned it to his teammates: ‘It doesn’t matter about the goal. It’s an unbelievable team. Unbelievable team win … (Connor Hellebuyck) stood on his head. … We’re so proud to win for our country. We’re gold medalists.’
But his teammates turned the spotlight back to Hughes because he’s deserving of it. When asked about his favorite moment from the 2026 Winter Olympics, the first to allow NHL players since 2014, Auston Matthews immediately said, ‘When Jack scored. That moment’s going to stick with me for a very, very long time.’
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FBI Director Kash Patel was on site in Milan for the USA men’s hockey team’s gold-medal win over Canada on Sunday, Feb. 22, and also celebrated with the team in the locker room after the overtime victory.
Patel posted photos of himself with members of the team to his account on X on Feb. 22. One photo features a group of players, including overtime hero Jack Hughes and the Tkachuk brothers, sporting their medals around their necks. Another shows the players celebrating in the background as Patel took a photo with USA coach Mike Sullivan.
‘Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world,’ Patel wrote in the post. ‘These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created.’
Patel was also shown drinking what appeared to be alcohol with the team in a video posted to social media before a player put a gold medal around his neck. Patel, who was jumping up and down while celebrating with the team, shared another message on social media directed at the ‘concerned media’ regarding his appearance.
Kash Patel at Olympics
Patel was spotted celebrating the win not long after he announced on social media that the FBI was helping investigate a fatal shooting at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
During the third period of the hockey game, Patel’s official government account on X posted this statement regarding the Mar-A-Lago incident: ‘FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning’s incident at President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago – where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter. We will continue working closely with (the Secret Service) as well our state and federal partners and will provide updates as we are able.’
This latest incident comes after Patel faced criticism for his handling of, and communications surrounding, sensitive cases like the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Patel came under fire for keeping his dinner reservation at a hard-to-get-into New York restaurant on the night of Kirk’s killing and making improper public statements about the case.
Patel has also drawn scrutiny for his reported use of government jets for personal travel.
Patel’s trip to Italy is not personal and reports have ‘purposefully misled people to think Kash was flying to Italy to hang out at the Olympics,’ according to Ben Williamson, assistant director for public affairs at the FBI. Williamson said on X on Feb. 19 the trip would include a meeting with Italian law enforcement and security officials as well as a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security.
The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.
Patel, an avid hockey fan, has appeared at NHL games in the past since taking over as FBI Director.
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The latest installment of the NBA’s most historic rivalry was staged Sunday, Feb. 22, with Jaylen Brown leading the Boston Celtics to a 111-89 victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on the road.
Brown nearly produced a triple-double, compiling 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 36 minutes of play.
He has taken over as the primary option for Boston since Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on May 12, 2025.
Brown was named the NBA Finals MVP after the Celtics won the championship in 2024, but James believes there’s a case to be made for Brown to be mentioned in this season’s MVP race.
‘This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about as well,’ James said of Brown after Sunday’s game. ‘Like, nobody gave them a shot to start the season. And he’s averaging what, 30? Just under 30? It’s a popularity contest sometimes, I tell you.’
Brown is averaging 29.2 points, seven rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season. He’s fourth among NBA players in points per game this season.
The MVP conversation has largely been dominated by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), the winners of the prior two MVP awards.
‘It’s an honor to play the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. It’s an honor for LeBron, who’s arguably the best player to ever play the game, to give me some high praise,’ Brown told reporters after the game. ‘So, I’m just grateful.’
James and Brown were teammates during the NBA All-Star Game mini-tournament earlier this month at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Who is considered the NBA MVP favorite?
Odds via BetMGM, as of 1 a.m. ET Monday morning:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-140)
Nikola Jokic (+310)
Cade Cunningham (+500)
Victor Wembanyama (+2500)
Luka Doncic (+4000)
Jaylen Brown (+5000)
Donovan Mitchell (+10000)
Anthony Edwards (+15000)
Jalen Brunson (+20000)
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March is right around the corner. Buckle up.
On Saturday, the NCAA Tournament selection committee unveiled its first crack at the top 16 seeds for the men’s tournament. A week earlier, the women’s first top 16 was revealed. It’s all to whet the appetite for Selection Sunday.
When is Selection Sunday?
- Date: Sunday, March 15
Selection Sunday will take place on Sunday, March 15 for both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
What channel is Selection Sunday show?
- TV channels: CBS | ESPN
- Streaming options: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
The men’s NCAA tournament Selection Sunday show air nationally on CBS. The women’s NCAA tournament Selection Sunday show will air nationally on ESPN.
You can stream both bracket reveal shows on Fubo, which not only carries CBS and the ESPN family of networks, but also offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Watch bracket reveal live with Fubo (free trial)
What time is March Madness bracket released?
- Men’s Tournament selection show time: 6 p.m. ET
- Women’s Tournament selection show time: 8 p.m. ET
Full men’s March Madness 2026 schedule
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament:
- First Four: March 17-18
- First round: March 19-20
- Second round: March 21-22
- Sweet 16: March 26-27
- Elite Eight: March 28-29
- Final Four: April 4 at Indianapolis
- National championship game: April 6 at Indianapolis
Full women’s March Madness 2026 schedule
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA women’s tournament:
- First Four: March 18-19
- First round: March 20-21
- Second round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: April 3 at Phoenix
- National championship game: April 5 at Phoenix
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MILAN — If the headlines and captions look the same and seem redundant, it’s because they are. This happens every Olympic Games now, winter and summer, for the U.S. Olympic team:
‘Girl Power.’
‘The Women’s Olympics.’
‘Team Title IX.’
As the 2026 Winter Olympics have come to a close, for the third consecutive Winter Games, U.S. women have won more gold medals and more medals overall than U.S. men. The final tally here in Milan: American women won six gold medals and 17 medals overall. The U.S. men? Four golds and 12 overall. Two other gold medals and four overall (the U.S. ended up with an historic 12 golds and 33 overall) were in mixed gender events.
This mirrors what is happening in the much larger Summer Olympics, in which U.S. women have won more golds and more medals than U.S. men for the past four consecutive Summer Games, going back to the 2012 London Olympics. In Paris a year and a half ago, U.S. women won 65% of the 40 gold medals won by Americans (26-13, with one won in a mixed gender event.) And they won 68 medals overall to 52 for the men, with six in mixed events.
‘It’s always exciting to see the women of Team USA rise to the top of the podium,” U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. ‘In Milano Cortina, they’ve competed with dominant strength and confidence. We’re proud not only of how they perform, but how they represent Team USA off the field of play — especially as veterans mentor rookies and carry forward the values that define the United States Olympic Team at the 2026 Winter Olympics.”
The reason for all the U.S. women’s success? It’s Title IX, the law signed by President Richard Nixon in June 1972 that opened the floodgates for girls and women to play sports and created the mindset of opportunity and participation that dominates American youth, high school and college sports to this day.
Consider what the U.S. Olympic team would look like without Title IX. Without the law pushing high schools and colleges to add girls’ and women’s sports over the past five decades, there would be very few if any women’s NCAA hockey programs, or soccer, softball, basketball or volleyball for that matter. And without those women’s college teams as the feeder system for the U.S. Olympic team, there would be far fewer medals for the United States at Winter and Summer Olympic Games. And even in those Olympic sports that aren’t traditional college sports, Title IX’s empowering influence on American culture has had a significant impact on all U.S. female athletes.
The world has noticed for quite some time. At the 2012 London Summer Olympics, which was the first time women outnumbered men on the U.S. team and the first time they won more gold and overall medals, British prime minister David Cameron said his country needed to encourage more competitive sports opportunities in schools, just like Title IX in the United States.
With the emergence of U.S. women’s professional sports leagues, allowing athletes to compete and train far beyond their college days, the dominance of American female athletes is all but certain to continue for years to come.
‘These Olympics have showcased the global impact of Title IX more than 50 years after its passing,” women’s sports legend Billie Jean King texted USA TODAY Sports on Sunday. ‘One of the biggest indicators of the power of the legislation is the establishment of professional sports leagues, like the Professional Women’s Hockey League, which provides women athletes opportunities to continue to compete after the Olympics and make a living playing the sport they love. These opportunities in the future are why it is important we continue to protect the legislation and intent of Title IX for all.’
King, who helped provide funding and support for the PWHL, said 61 players from the league competed in the Milan Olympics and 39 were in the gold medal game won in overtime by the United States over Canada.
Another reason more women’s medals are being won is because there are more medals for women to win. There was a time when the International Olympic Committee and the federations of worldwide sports refused to allow women to compete in as many events as men in the Winter and Summer Games. That’s changing; during the 2026 Olympics, the ratio of female to male competitors narrowed to as close to 50-50 as it has ever been in the Winter Games: 47% women, 53% men, according to the IOC.
The long climb to allow women to compete in events that have been male-only in the Winter Olympics has just a small ways to go now: The only event in which men competed here, but women did not, is Nordic combined.
So give U.S. women opportunities their grandmothers never had, thousands of college teams to play on and professional opportunities that didn’t exist a decade or two or three ago — and they will not be the only ones to benefit. The nation’s Olympic fortunes will too.
USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour contributed to this report.
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