Albert Lea teen describes winning a Paralympic gold medal
Mar. 20—An Albert Lea teenager who won his first gold medal as part of the U. S.
Paralympic sled hockey team said earlier this week he is still in shock about the team's historic victory. The team defeated Canada 6-2 on Sunday to win the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games with a perfect record. It is the only hockey team — Olympic or Paralympic — to win five straight gold medals.
"I was super excited," 18-year-old Landon Uthke said. "It's my first gold medal, but it's a team effort. We wouldn't have been able to do it without all of my team.
We have a great group of guys — it's a good brotherhood. " Uthke returned home Tuesday to a welcome of first responders and others and plans to return in-person to Albert Lea High School on Monday. "I'm enjoying these next few days before it's back to reality," he said.
Uthke grew up in Albert Lea, playing sled hockey for the Rochester Mustangs and the Minnesota Wild sled hockey teams, alongside Team USA teammate and fellow defenseman Liam Cunningham. Uthke said he was 3 years old when his leg was amputated after a lawnmower accident, and he found sled hockey when he was 7. He said he had been a traditional ice hockey fan since he was able to watch and understand the sport, and his sister Katelyn, also played hockey.