Declan Farmer, an acclaimed athlete in the world of sled hockey, is making headlines as he leads Team USA into the gold medal game against Canada at the 2026 Winter Paralympics. Following his exceptional performance in the semifinals against Czechia, the 28-year-old spoke to PEOPLE regarding his remarkable achievements and the team’s journey so far.
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Farmer, who already has an impressive record as a four-time Paralympian and three-time gold medallist, delivered a standout performance in the semifinals, scoring a hat trick that propelled Team USA to a decisive 6-1 victory. This achievement not only secured his team’s place in the gold medal match but also established a new record for the most goals in a single Paralympic tournament. Following the match held at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Farmer was informed that he had set a new milestone with 14 goals throughout the competition.
Despite breaking records, Farmer was modest about his achievements, admitting he was unaware of his personal milestones until after the game. He reflected on this during his exclusive interview, stating, “I didn’t know about them until I was reminded of it after in the post-game interviews.” In addition to his goals, Farmer contributed three assists, bringing his total points to an astounding 24, just shy of equalling his own record for assists from the previous tournament.
Born a bilateral amputee, Farmer continues to inspire with his humility and teamwork ethos. He acknowledged that individual success is often a reflection of collective effort. “It’s a team game, and everyone has different roles to play,” he noted. “You just want to come into each game at your best, and I think for the most part, we’ve all been feeling pretty good so far.”
As he looks ahead to the forthcoming match against Canada on March 15, Farmer is acutely aware of the significance of this game. The rivalry between the U.S. and Canada in hockey is storied, and with both the men’s and women’s U.S. teams recently claiming gold medals at the Winter Olympics, the stakes are even higher. A victory for the sled hockey team would mark their fifth consecutive gold, demonstrating their dominance in the sport.
The atmosphere is charged as Farmer expressed the momentum gained from recent Olympic successes. “That definitely brings more eyeballs on the Paralympics, so it’s going to continue to grow the movement, grow sled hockey, which is great,” he said, proudly acknowledging the role of USA Hockey and its extensive grassroots efforts in cultivating talent over the years.
Though pressure is inherent in competitive sport, Farmer believes the expectations have largely been internal. “There’s definitely pressure, but I think it’s nothing compared to the pressure we have on ourselves,” he said, outlining the collective drive to succeed at the highest level. His focus remains on judging success by the team’s performance rather than just the end result.
Reflecting on his Paralympic journey, Farmer began his distinguished career at the Sochi Games in 2014. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in leading the U.S. team to titles in 2014, 2018, and 2022. This year, he holds records for the most career goals, assists, and total points by an American player, following his historic achievement of surpassing 200 career goals.
As the U.S. sled hockey team prepares for this monumental clash with Canada, the athletes are determined to lock in their focus. It’s clear that Farmer embodies not just personal talent but also a deep respect for the team dynamic that has brought them this far in the competition.
With the final match of the tournament looming, the excitement surrounding both Farmer and Team USA’s pursuit of gold continues to build. Spectators can follow the action as the Winter Paralympics presents the crucial game on March 15, 2026, anticipating what could be yet another historic chapter in the annals of sled hockey excellence.