54 Days Until The Winter Olympics: Team Casper Secures Men’s Curling Spot in Milan Cortina

For the seventh consecutive Winter Games, the United States will send a men’s curling team to the Olympics. This time, it is a new team. Team Casper, a squad of young guns who upset American legend John Shuster at the trials, officially punched their ticket to the 2026 Milan Cortina Games with a decisive victory over China. 

In a high-pressure showdown in Kelowna, B.C., the Americans overcame a shaky start to secure a 9-4 win, ensuring that the men’s team legacy continues.   

A Gritty Curling Comeback Secures Olympic Qualification

The final scoreline might suggest a blowout, but the reality on the ice was a tense, grind-it-out affair that tested the young Americans’ resolve early on. China, skipped by Xu Xiaoming, had handed Team Casper their only loss in round-robin play just days prior—a nail-biting 9-8 defeat.

In this winner-take-all rematch, China struck first, putting two points on the board in the opening end. Skip Daniel Casper responded in the second to cut the deficit, but the momentum truly shifted in the middle frames. 

The contest reached its climax in the ninth end with the U.S. holding a slim 5-4 advantage. With the pressure mounting, Casper’s squad lay three stones in the house, forcing Xu into a difficult final shot. 

The Chinese skip’s delivery was heavy and the sweeping couldn’t save it; the rock sailed through the house and out of play. That error left Danny Casper with an open draw for four points, sealing the 9-4 victory and prompting a concession from Team Xu. It was a moment of pure relief and triumph for a team that had battled through the uncertainty of the Olympic Qualification Event.

The Headband Celebration And A Historic Roster

Beyond the tactical precision on the ice, Team Casper has brought a new energy and a unique aesthetic to the sport. The team has become famous for their “headband celly,” a celebration that involves gesturing an air-headband. The tradition started as a lighthearted jab at competitor Mark Fenner but evolved into a genuine rallying cry after Aidan Oldenburg began wearing one to manage his hair and sweat. 

The look has since caught fire, with fans at the Denny Sanford Premier Center and members of the Bay Area Curling Club donning headbands in solidarity. It is a quirky, human element that has endeared this young team to a national audience.

Changing of the Guard 

This victory signals a significant changing of the guard for American curling. For two decades, Shuster has been the face of the sport in the U.S., skipping the team to five straight Olympics and a gold medal in 2018. By defeating Shuster at the trials and now qualifying internationally, the 24-year-old Casper has officially taken the torch. He is joined by Luc Violette, Ben Richardson, and Aidan Oldenburg, all of whom will be first-time Olympians. The roster also features a touch of history in alternate Rich Ruohonen; at age 54, he is set to become the oldest American to compete in a Winter Olympics in any medal sport, should he see playing time.

The emotions following the win were palpable, a mix of adrenaline and realization that a lifelong dream had been achieved. Casper admitted to feeling the pressure but described it as an honor to play in games with such high stakes. The support system for the team has been immense, from family members to the tight-knit curling community back home. As they prepare for Milan Cortina, they carry not just the hopes of a nation, but the enthusiasm of a new generation of curlers who are ready to see what the “headband kids” can do on the world’s biggest stage.

Summary of Olympic Qualification

• The Result: Team USA (Casper) defeated Team China (Xu) 9-4 in the first playoff game to qualify for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
• The Turning Point: After falling behind 2-0, the U.S. stole points in three consecutive ends, aided by a “picked” stone for China in the fourth end.
• The History: This ends the John Shuster era; it will be the first Olympics for the starting four, while alternate Rich Ruohonen could become the oldest U.S. Winter Olympian.
• The Trademark: The team is known for their “headband celebration,” which started as a joke and became a symbol of support among fans.
• What’s Next: The U.S. men will begin round-robin play on February 11 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.