Jackson LaCombe would love to add a certain silver trophy to a hockey resume that already features plenty of gold.
The Anaheim Ducks defenceman’s trophy shelf showcases a trio of gold medals won on the international hockey stage, the most recent addition coming from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The Olympics proved to be an eye-opening experience on multiple levels for the Minnesota native.
“I learned a lot,” said LaCombe, who was named to the United States squad after Seth Jones suffered an injury. “With the Olympics, playing on a team with all of those elite players, some who have played for the Stanley Cup or won it, gives you a big appreciation for what it takes to be successful on the biggest stages. You see how they prepare, how they handle themselves, especially in those moments.
“Even before the tournament started, I looked up to a lot of those guys. For me to have been part of that, I just learned so much. Mentally, how to handle situations, how to compete, how to play with passion – being around all that was special. And to have won it, to be part of that for our country and having so much fun throughout it all was something I will never forget.”
Now, the 25-year-old, playing in in his first NHL postseason, is chasing hockey’s most cherished team prize on a Ducks’ team making its first playoff appearance since 2018.
“You remember the days when you would watch playoff hockey and hope you had that chance one day,” said LaCombe. “And when you get that opportunity, it really is a dream come true.”
The 39th overall pick of the Ducks in the 2019 NHL Draft, who also struck gold with the U.S. at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship and the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, was a difference-maker at both ends of the ice in Anaheim’s opening-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In six games against the Edmonton Oilers, LaCombe, one of the team’s alternate captains, contributed nine points. He also posted a team-leading 27 minutes of average ice time per game.
“It felt like it went by quickly because we were having so much fun. But, just like the Olympics, we have a lot of guys who have made Cup runs and won it, so they have that experience, which helps everyone on the team. I thought we competed well and played our game. We weren’t timid or afraid. We proved ourselves. You learn a lot from the First Round and you know that it is only going to get tougher and tougher as we go along. But we are having a lot of fun and that’s one of the biggest things.”
Anaheim’s defensive corps features playoff veterans in John Carlson, Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas, and first-timers like LaCombe, Drew Helleson and Tyson Hinds.
LaCombe, who led all NHL defenceman in points in the First Round, lauds the consistency and composure of the group throughout the season.
“When you have guys like Gudy [Gudas], who has been to a Cup Final, Trouba has been to the conference final and Johnny [Carlson] has won a Cup, it’s really quite calming. They are always vocal and always talking about things in between games, so to have guys like that is huge for us because even during games, they know how to handle situations – what this looks like, what that looks like, playing with the lead, playing without the lead. It is so good for us young guys.
“But we also have a lot of good young energy, too, which is a good foundation to have. I think the mix we have on defence and the chemistry we have makes it exciting. We are all close as well, which helps a lot.”
LaCombe, who played for the University of Minnesota from 2019 to 2023 and helped the Golden Gophers reach the Frozen Four three times (2020, 2022 and 2023), also has high praise for the team’s well-rounded game.
Perhaps the biggest compliment? He wouldn’t want to face them.
“No, I would absolutely not [to play against this team],” LaCombe said with a laugh. “We have so many different tools. We are fast, skilled and tough on the puck. You see all of that grow from game to game. It’s definitely a challenging team to play against.”
Especially with players like LaCombe in the mix, a defenceman with the golden touch who has his sights on hoisting hockey’s iconic silver trophy aloft.
“Going to the rink relaxed and being confident in yourself, especially with this group, is the best way to go about things for me. We all believe in one another and we are embracing this opportunity to play for the Stanley Cup.”
