![[Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre.](https://collegefootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/usa-captain-auston-matthews-opens-02-09-26.png "What Happened to Auston Matthews? Leafs Hit With Major Injury Blow To Captain")
Auston Matthews is rooming with Dylan Larkin at the Olympic Village in Milan, and on Monday, the Team USA captain shared what it’s like living in the compact accommodation.
Team USA’s NHL stars are experiencing Olympic Village life much like college dormmates. The accommodations feature single beds atop storage cubbies, standalone closets with drying racks and hangers, microwaves, minifridges and bathrooms equipped with showers and bidets.
Matthews pointed out the tight living conditions but also admitted that the setup has fostered team bonding through shared experiences in the village.
“Yeah, it’s great. I mean it’s pretty neat. I’m rooming with Dylan Larkin so my guy that I’ve known for a while and, you know, a lot of history with so it’s pretty cool,” Matthews said.
“It’s pretty tight quarters, but it’s cool just to be all together and get to experience things and do things together as a team, whether it’s going to the dining hall or whatever it may be,” he added.
He also shared that the reality of competing at the Olympics didn’t fully sink in until after settling into the village.
“Once you kind of settled in there, it kind of hit you just, you know, how special it is to be here,” he reflected.
Team USA is now preparing for their opening game against Latvia on Thursday at 9:10 p.m. local time.
Team USA’s Jeremy Swayman and Jake Oettinger Playing Cribbage in Olympic Village
Goaltender Jeremy Swayman is rooming with fellow netminder Jake Oettinger and the two have developed their own routine in the village.
“We got roommates! I got a roommate, Jake Oettinger, so he and I have really been bonding,” Swayman said on Feb. 8. “We’ve been playing a ton of Cribbage and sharing our meals on our beds.”
Oettinger returned the sentiment about his roommate situation.
“He’s the best. He’s my roommate, so we have a blast,” the Dallas Stars goalie said.
Swayman called the overall village experience “surreal” and reflected on the significance of the Opening Ceremony:
“Walking in with your whole country and having that pride. It was a pinch-yourself moment and pretty special to share that with those guys.”
Team USA’s arrival in Milan involved a multi-step process with passport control, Olympic accreditation validation and a stop at the Sheraton Hotel for the Team USA Welcome Experience before taking an hour-long charter bus ride to the Olympic Village.
Despite initial concerns about a norovirus outbreak at the village, Team USA players have remained in the Olympic accommodations. Athletes and their families also have access to the “Winter House” which is a private hospitality space sponsored by USA Hockey, US Speedskating and US Figure Skating.
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