For the first time since 2014, the world’s greatest hockey players are returning to the Olympic stage. The NHL and NHLPA have officially cleared the way for a best-on-best tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, ending a 12-year hiatus. This return marks a pivotal moment for international hockey, as an entire generation of superstars—including Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon—will make their Olympic debuts.
The tournament begins February 11, 2026, across two primary venues: the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and the Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
The Road to Gold
The 12-team tournament features three preliminary groups. Every team will play three group games before entering a high-stakes, single-elimination playoff bracket. Because NHL ice is smaller than traditional international rinks, the arenas in Milan have been adjusted to the NHL-standard size (200ft x 85ft), which is expected to increase the speed and physicality of the games.
Team USA (Group C): Starts against Latvia (Feb 12), followed by Denmark (Feb 14) and Germany (Feb 15).
Team Canada: Opens against Czechia (Feb 12), then faces Switzerland and France.
Historical Significance
Canada remains the most successful nation in Olympic men’s hockey history with nine gold medals, but they haven’t stood atop the podium with NHL players since 2014. Meanwhile, the United States is looking for its first gold since the iconic “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. With the integration of NHL players, the 2026 Games are projected to be the most-watched hockey event in history.
Led by generational talents Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, Canada enters as a heavy favorite.
Forwards: M. Celebrini, A. Cirelli, S. Crosby, B. Hagel, B. Horvat, N. MacKinnon, B. Marchand, M. Marner, C. McDavid, B. Point, S. Reinhart, M. Stone, N. Suzuki, T. Wilson.
Defense: D. Doughty, T. Harley, C. Makar, J. Morrissey, C. Parayko, T. Sanheim, S. Theodore, D. Toews.
Goalies: J. Binnington, D. Kuemper, L. Thompson.
Team United States
Boasting arguably the deepest defensive corps in the tournament, Team USA looks to reclaim gold.
Forwards: M. Boldy, K. Connor, J. Eichel, J. Hughes, J. Guentzel, C. Keller, D. Larkin, A. Matthews, J.T. Miller, B. Nelson, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, T. Thompson, V. Trocheck.
Defense: B. Faber, N. Hanifin, Q. Hughes, S. Jones, C. McAvoy, J. Sanderson, J. Slavin, Z. Werenski.
Goalies: C. Hellebuyck, J. Oettinger, J. Swayman.
Team Sweden
The “Tre Kronor” bring a lethal mix of skill and veteran poise.
Forwards: J. Bratt, L. Carlsson, J. Eriksson Ek, F. Forsberg, P. Holmberg, A. Kempe, G. Landeskog, E. Lindholm, W. Nylander, E. Pettersson, R. Rakell, L. Raymond, A. Wennberg, M. Zibanejad.
Defense: R. Andersson, P. Broberg, J. Brodin, R. Dahlin, O. Ekman-Larsson, G. Forsling, V. Hedman, E. Karlsson.
Goalies: F. Gustavsson, J. Markstrom, J. Wallstedt.
TEAM CZECHIA
FORWARDS: R. Cervenka, R. Faksa, J. Flek, T. Hertl, D. Kampf, O. Kase, D. Kubalik, M. Necas, O. Palat, D. Pastrnak, L. Sedlak, M. Stransky, D. Tomasek, P. Zacha.
DEFENSEMEN: R. Gudas, F. Hronek, M. Kempny, T. Kundratek, J. Rutta, R. Simek, D. Spacek, J. Tichacek.
GOALIES: L. Dostal, K. Vejmelka, D. Vladar.
TEAM FINLAND
FORWARDS: J. Armia, S. Aho, M. Granlund, E. Haula, R. Hintz, K. Kakko, O. Kapanen, J. Kiviranta, A. Lehkonen, A. Lundell, E. Luostarinen, M. Rantanen, T. Teravainen, E. Tolvanen.
DEFENSEMEN: M. Heiskanen, H. Jokiharju, M. Lehtonen, E. Lindell, O. Maatta, N. Matinpalo, N. Mikkola, R. Ristolainen.
GOALIES: K. Lankinen, U. Luukkonen, J. Saros.
TEAM GERMANY
FORWARDS: L. Draisaitl, A. Ehl, D. Kahun, M. Michaelis, JJ Peterka, L. Reichel, T. Rieder, J. Samanski, J. Schütz, W. Stachowiak, T. Stützle, N. Sturm, F. Tiffels, P. Tuomie.
DEFENSEMEN: L. Gawanke, K. Geibel, L. Kälble, J. Muller, M. Muller, M. Seider, F. Wagner, K. Wissman.
GOALIES: M. Franzreb, P. Grubauer, M. Niederberger.
TEAM SWITZERLAND
FORWARDS: S. Andrighetto, C. Bertschy, K. Fiala, N. Hischier, K. Jager, S. Knak, P. Kurashev, D. Malgin, T. Meier, N. Niederreiter, D. Riat, S. Schmid, P. Suter, C. Thurkauf.
DEFENSEMEN: T. Berni, M. Fora, A. Glauser, R. Josi, D. Kukan, C. Marti, JJ Moser, J. Siegenthaler.
GOALIES: R. Berra, L. Genoni, A. Schmid.
TEAM SLOVAKIA
FORWARDS: P. Cehlarik, D. Dvorsky, M. Hrivik, L. Hudacek, M. Kelemen, A. Liska, O. Okuliar, M. Pospisil, P. Regenda, A. Ruzicka, J. Slafkovsky, M. Sukel, S. Takac, T. Tatar.
DEFENSEMEN: P. Ceresnak, E. Cernak, M. Fehervary, M. Gernat, M. Ivan, P. Koch, M. Marincin, S. Nemec.
GOALIES: A. Gajan, S. Hlavaj, S. Skorvanek.
TEAM LATVIA
FORWARDS: R. Abols, O. Batna, R. Balcers, T. Blueger, R. Bukarts, K. Daugavins, M. Dzierkals, H. Egle, Z. Girgensons, R. Krastenbergs, D. Locmelis, A. Ravinskis, E. Tralmaks, S. Vilmanis.
DEFENSEMEN: U. Balinskis, O. Cibulskis, R. Freibergs, J. Jaks, R. Mamcics, K. Rubins, A. Smits, K. Zile.
GOALIES: K. Gudlevskis, E. Merzlikins, A. Silovs.
TEAM DENMARK
FORWARDS: M. Aagaard, M. Bau, O. Bjorkstrand, J. Blichfeld, N. Ehlers, L. Eller, O. Fisker Molgaard, N. Jensen, N. Olesen, M. Poulsen, J. Rondbjerg, P. Russell, F. Storm, A. True, C. Wejse.
DEFENSEMEN: J. Jensen Aabo, N. B. Jensen, A. Koch, M. Lassen, M. Lauridsen, O. Lauridsen, P. Bruggisser.
GOALIES: F. Andersen, F. Dichow, M. Sogaard.
TEAM FRANCE
FORWARDS: J. Addamo, P. Bellemare, C. Bertrand, L. Boudon, K. Bozon, S. Da Costa, A. Dair, F. Douay, D. Fabre, J. Perret, A. Rech, N. Ritz, A. Texier, S. Treille.
DEFENSEMEN: Y. Auvitu, J. Boscq, E. Cantagallo, F. Chakiachvili, P. Crinon, H. Gallet, E. Guebey, T. Thiry.
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