Profile: Stan Wong

The most-decorated American in IIHF history, Stan Wong has served as Team USA’s athletic trainer for 17 World Juniors (2002-2019), 4 Olympics (2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018), 12 world championships (2006-2018), and 10 Deutschland Cups.

“He’s a guy who cares about everybody. Sometimes he’s got 40 kids on the ice and everybody knows it’s hard to learn names, but by Day 2 he knows everybody…He’s had a tremendous impact on me and he’s been one of the biggest role models I’ve had in the last couple of years. Without the past couple of years working with him, I wouldn’t be the goalie I am today. I probably wouldn’t even be the same person.

2016 World Juniors Team USA Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic

A native of Fall River, Massachusetts, Wong attended Northeastern University. After graduating in 1980, Wong worked as an athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), on hand for the Eagles at Super Bowl XV. He spent three years for the Boston Breakers (USFL) from 1983 to 1985.

Although originally intending to stay in football, Wong joined the Washington Capitals in 1986 as the head athletic trainer, working the Stanley Cup in 1998 and two All-Star Games in 1991 and 1999. He later joined the Florida Panthers in 1999 in the same capacity and retired from the NHL in 2002.

After retiring in 2002, Wong joined the US National Team for the Deutschland Cup, and ever since has been a fixture behind the bench for the Americans. He has helped Team USA to 4 World Junior golds, 1 Olympic silver, 1 World junior silver, 3 World Championship bronzes, and 3 World Junior bronzes.

“We do it with a smile because we’re happy to be here. I realize how blessed I am to be able to have this association with USA Hockey and to work with people I genuinely care for. It’s like I’ve found a pot of gold…It’s all about people. People play a sport but they’re people first.”

Stan Wong, 2016 interview with USA Hockey Magazine

Having seen generations of America’s best hockey players at the World Juniors, Wong is one of the most respected and experienced trainers in hockey. Now retired from all events except for the World Juniors, Wong has spent his retirement in Boca Raton, Florida, where his family owns a restaurant that he helps run. Wong was inducted into the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society Hall of Fame in 2015.