Home Articles BlogHockey at the 2026 Olympics: Rosters, Schedule, and Tournament Favorites

Hockey at the 2026 Olympics: Rosters, Schedule, and Tournament Favorites

09 Feb, 13:35

For the first time since 2014, the Olympic hockey tournament will not distract attention from the National Hockey League matches (or vice versa), as the NHL has decided to pause the regular season so that audiences in Milan can witness the world's top stars.

Format of the Hockey Tournament

The men's hockey tournament will take place from February 11 to 22, 2026, at two arenas in Milan – "PalaItalia Santa Giulia" with a capacity of 16,000 spectators and "Fiera Milano" with 6,500 seats.

In the group stage, 12 teams will compete in three groups of four teams each. Each team will play against every other team in its group, playing a total of three matches. The best team from each group based on points, as well as the best second-place team (in the Olympic tournament, a win in regulation time will be awarded 3 points, and a win in overtime or shootouts will be awarded 2 points), will advance directly to the quarterfinals.

The remaining eight teams will enter the playoff round, where a single match will determine the four additional quarterfinal participants. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches will be held in a single-game elimination format.

A detailed schedule of all matches is available below.

Match Schedule

Group Stage

February 11

16:40*. Slovakia – Finland

21:10. Sweden – Italy

February 12

12:10. Switzerland – France

16:40. Czech Republic – Canada

21:10**. Latvia – USA

21:10. Germany – Denmark

February 13

12:10. Finland – Sweden

12:10. Italy – Slovakia

16:40. France – Czech Republic

21:10. Canada – Switzerland

February 14

12:10. Sweden – Slovakia

12:10. Germany – Latvia

16:40. Finland – Italy

21:10. USA – Denmark

February 15

12:10. Switzerland – Czech Republic

16:40. Canada – France

19:10. Denmark – Latvia

21:10. USA – Germany

Playoff Matches

February 17 at 12:10 (two matches), 16:40, and 21:10

Quarterfinals

February 18 at 12:10, 16:40, 18:10, and 21:10

Semifinals

February 20 at 16:40 and 21:10

Third Place Match

February 21 at 20:40

Final

February 22 at 14:10

*All times are in CET

**Matches at the same time are held at different arenas

Team Rosters. Group A

Canada

Roster

Goalies: Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings), Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals).

Defensemen: Cale Makar, Devon Toews (both — Colorado Avalanche), Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings), Thomas Harley (Dallas Stars), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets), Colton Parayko (St. Louis Blues), Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia Flyers), Shea Theodore (Vegas Golden Knights).

Forwards: Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett (all – Florida Panthers), Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point (both – Tampa Bay Lightning), Mitch Marner, Mark Stone (both – Vegas Golden Knights), Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Bo Horvat (New York Islanders), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens), Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals).

Head Coach: Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning).

Key Players

In the top ten scorers of the 2025/26 NHL season, there are four Canadians. Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Macklin Celebrini made it to the Olympic squad – they are expected to deliver the most spectacular performances for the national team. However, Winnipeg forward Mark Scheifele and one of the top talents of recent years, Connor Bedard from Chicago, were not included in the lineup.

In the defensive line, the main stars are some of the most effective defensemen in the league, Cale Makar and Devon Toews, with one of the season's best in save percentage, Logan Thompson, guarding the net.

Czech Republic

Roster

Goalies: Lukáš Dostál (Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Karel Vejmelka (Utah Mammoth, NHL), Daniel Vladař (Philadelphia Flyers, NHL).

Defensemen: Radko Gudas (Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Filip Hronek (Vancouver Canucks, NHL), David Špaček (Minnesota Wild, NHL), Radim Šimek (Liberec), Tomáš Kundrátek (Třinec), Michal Kempný (Brynas, Sweden), Jan Rutta (Geneva Servette, Switzerland), Jiří Ticháček (Karpat Oulu, Finland).

Forwards: David Pastrňák, Pavel Zacha (both – Boston Bruins, NHL), Ondřej Palát (New Jersey Devils, NHL), Tomáš Hertl (Vegas Golden Knights, NHL), Martin Nečas (Colorado Avalanche, NHL), Radek Faksa (Dallas Stars, NHL), David Kämpf (Vancouver Canucks, NHL), Roman Červenka, Lukáš Sedlák (both – Dynamo Pardubice), Jakub Flek (Kometa Brno), Ondřej Kaše (Verva Litvínov), Dominik Kubalík (Zug, Switzerland), Matěj Stránský (Davos, Switzerland), David Tomášek (Farjestads, Sweden).

Head Coach: Radim Rulík.

Key Players

Undoubtedly, the main star of the Czech Republic is David Pastrňák. The Boston forward is confidently among the top scorers of the NHL season. He will arrive at the Olympics in excellent form – in January, Pastrňák scored points in 13 out of 15 games. Also heading to Italy are the leading scorers of the Czech Championships (Roman Červenka) and Switzerland (Matěj Stránský).

Among NHL goalies, Radim Rulík had a large but somewhat limited selection. The best among the Czechs in terms of goals-against average and save percentage is Daniel Vladař.

Switzerland

Roster

Goalkeepers: Akira Schmid (Vegas Golden Knights, NHL), Reto Berra (Fribourg Gotteron), Leonardo Genoni (Zug).

Defensemen: Roman Josi (Nashville Predators, NHL), Janis Jérôme Moser (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL), Jonas Siegenthaler (New Jersey Devils, NHL), Dean Kukan, Christian Marti (both – Zurich Lions), Tim Berni (Geneva Servette), Michael Fora (Davos), Andrea Glauser (Fribourg Gotteron).

Forwards: Nico Hischier, Timo Meier (both – New Jersey Devils, NHL), Kevin Fiala (Los Angeles Kings, NHL), Philipp Kurashev (San Jose Sharks, NHL), Nino Niederreiter (Winnipeg Jets, NHL), Pius Suter (St. Louis Blues, NHL), Sven Andrighetto, Denis Malgin (both – Zurich Lions), Christoph Bertschy, Sandro Schmid (both – Fribourg Gotteron), Ken Jäger, Damien Riat (both – Lausanne), Simon Knak (Davos), Calvin Thürkauf (Lugano).

Head Coach: Patrick Fischer.

Key Players

Essentially, the coaching staff has selected all the Swiss players (except Lian Bichsel) who are playing in the NHL. The standout performers this season include Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, and Roman Josi.

Special emphasis will be placed on players from the Swiss National League – naturally, Denis Malgin and Sven Andrighetto are included in the squad, but top Swiss scorers Luca Fazzini and Théo Rochette are not on the list.

France

Roster

Goalkeepers: Antoine Keller (Ajoie, Switzerland), Martin Neckar (Tigers Langenau, Switzerland), Julian Junca (Dukla Trenčín, Slovakia).

Defensemen: Enzo Guebey (Davos, Switzerland), Thomas Thiry (Ajoie, Switzerland), Hugo Gallet (KalPa Hockey, Finland), Jules Boscq (HPK Hameenlinna, Finland), Yohann Auvitu (Vítkovice, Czech Republic), Pierre Crinon (Grenoble Bruleurs de Loups), Enzo Cantagallo (Spartiates de Marseille), Florian Chakiachvili (Rouen HE).

Forwards: Alexandre Texier (Montreal Canadiens, NHL), Sacha Treille, Aurélien Dair (both – Grenoble), Stéphane Da Costa (Avtomobilist, KHL, Russia), Justin Addamo, Louis Boudon (both – Jukurit Mikkeli, Finland), Dylan Fabre (Assat Pori, Finland), Charles Bertrand (Vaasan Sport, Finland), Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, Kevin Bozon (both – Ajoie, Switzerland), Floran Douay (Lausanne, Switzerland), Jordann Perret (Mountfield, Czech Republic), Nicolas Ritz (Angers Ducs), Anthony Rech (Rouen HE).

Head Coach: Yorick Treille.

Key Players

The main focus for the French at the Winter Olympics will be on their sole NHL representative, Alexandre Texier, who will be recovering from an injury just in time for the start of the competition in Italy. Meanwhile, fans of the KHL will have their eyes on Stéphane Da Costa from Avtomobilist.

From the national championship – Ligue Magnus – the French national team includes the second top scorer of the season, AnthonyResh and the third assistant Florian Shakiashvili.

Team Rosters. Group B

Sweden

Roster

Goalkeepers: Filip Gustavsson, Jesper Wallstedt (both – Minnesota Wild), Jacob Markström (New Jersey Devils).

Defensemen: Rasmus Andersson (Calgary Flames), Philip Broberg (St. Louis Blues), Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Toronto Maple Leafs), Gustav Forsling (Florida Panthers), Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning), Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh Penguins), Hampus Lindholm (Boston Bruins).

Forwards: Marcus Johansson, Joel Eriksson Ek (both – Minnesota Wild), Jesper Bratt (New Jersey Devils), Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators), Pontus Holmberg (Tampa Bay Lightning), Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles Kings), Gabriel Landeskog (Colorado Avalanche), Elias Lindholm (Boston Bruins), William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs), Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks), Rickard Rakell (Pittsburgh Penguins), Lucas Raymond (Detroit Red Wings), Alexander Wennberg (San Jose Sharks), Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers).

Head Coach: Sam Hallam.

Key Players

The Swedish coaching staff has assembled a roster composed entirely of NHL players. Initially, Leo Carlsson from Anaheim and Jonas Brodin from Minnesota were included in the lineup, but due to injuries, they will miss the main tournament of the four-year cycle – they were replaced by Marcus Johansson and Hampus Lindholm.

The main stars of the Swedish team in attack are their top scorer in the NHL, Lucas Raymond, and primary sniper Mika Zibanejad. In the defense line, in the absence of Brodin, special attention will be on the in-form Rasmus Dahlin, and the "Wild" goalkeepers will have to compete for the starting position not only at the club level but also nationally.

Finland

Roster

Goalkeepers: Joonas Korpisalo (Boston Bruins), Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver Canucks), Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators).

Defensemen: Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell (both – Dallas Stars), Henri Jokiharju (Boston Bruins), Olli Määttä (Utah Mammoth), Nikolas Matinpalo (Ottawa Senators), Niko Mikkola (Florida Panthers), Rasmus Ristolainen (Philadelphia Flyers), Mikko Lehtonen (Zurich Lions, Switzerland).

Forwards: Roope Hintz, Mikko Rantanen (both – Dallas Stars), Kaapo Kakko, Eeli Tolvanen (both – Seattle Kraken), Joel Kiviranta, Artturi Lehkonen (both – Colorado Avalanche), Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen (both – Florida Panthers), Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes), Joel Armia (Los Angeles Kings), Mikael Granlund (Anaheim Ducks), Erik Haula (Nashville Predators), Oliver Kapanen (Montreal Canadiens), Teuvo Teravainen (Chicago Blackhawks).

Head Coach: Antti Pennanen.

Key Players

Like his Swedish counterpart, AnttiPennanen did not call up any players from the domestic championship (although both the Finnish Liiga and the Swedish SHL are among the top leagues in Europe). However, regardless of the lineup, special attention will be focused on the exquisite play of Mikko Rantanen, one of the top scorers of the NHL season.

Surely, Sebastian Aho will also impress in the attack, Miro Heiskanen in defense and playmaking, Juuse Saros in goal.

Slovakia

Roster

Goalies: Adam Gajan (Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, NCAA, USA), Samuel Hlavay (Iowa Wild, AHL, USA), Stanislav Škorvánek (Mountfield, Czech Republic).

Defensemen: Erik Černák (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL), Martin Fehérváry (Washington Capitals, NHL), Šimon Nemec (New Jersey Devils, NHL), Martin Gernát (Lokomotiv, KHL, Russia), Patrik Koch, Martin Marinčin (both – Ocelari Trinec, Czech Republic), Michal Ivan (Bili Tygri Liberec, Czech Republic), Peter Čerešňák (Dinamo Pardubice, Czech Republic).

Forwards: Dalibor Dvorský (St. Louis Blues, NHL), Martin Pospíšil (Calgary Flames, NHL), Pavol Regenda (San Jose Sharks, NHL), Juraj Slafkovský (Montreal Canadiens, NHL), Adam Liška (Severstal Cherepovec, KHL, Russia), Adam Ružička (Spartak Moscow, KHL, Russia), Peter Cehlárik (Leksands, Sweden), Oliver Okuliar (Skelleftea AIK, Sweden), Marek Hrivík (Vítkovice, Czech Republic), Libor Hudáček (Ocelari Trinec, Czech Republic), Miloš Kelemen (Dinamo Pardubice, Czech Republic), Matúš Sukeľ (Litvinov, Czech Republic), Tomáš Tatar (Zug, Switzerland), Samuel Takáč (Slovan Bratislava).

Head Coach: Vladimír Országh

Key Players

World Champion 2022 Vladimír Országh called up all Slovak NHL players to the national team, except for the injured Samuel Honzek. The roster even includes Martin Pospíšil, who played only 6 games this season. Among the NHL players, special attention will be on Juraj Slafkovský, one of the top five scorers for Calgary.

The goaltending lineup may not be star-studded, but there are field players worth watching in Europe: Adam Ružička from Spartak Moscow, the top-scoring Slovak in the Czech championship Libor Hudáček, and the only representative from the Slovak Extraliga – Samuel Takáč.

Italy

Roster

Goalies: Damian Clara (Brynas, Sweden), Davide Fadani (Kloten, Switzerland), Gianluca Vallini (Bolzano).

Defensemen: Thomas Larkin, Alex Trivellato (both – Schwenninger Wild Wings, Germany), Phil Pietroniro (Rytiri Kladno, Czech Republic), Luca Zanatta, Gregory DiTommaso, Daniel Glira (all – Pustertal), Jason Seed, Dylan Di Perna (both – Bolzano).

Forwards: Tommaso De Luca, Diego Kostner (both – Ambri Piotta, Switzerland), Giovanni Morini, Marco Zanetti (both – Lugano, Switzerland), Alessandro Segafredo (Zurich Lions, Switzerland), Alex Petan (Olimpija, Slovenia), Matt Bradley, Cristiano DiGiacinto, Luca Frigo, Dustin Gazley, Daniel Mantenuto (all – Bolzano), Mikael Frycklund, Tommy Purdeller, Nick Saracino (all – Pustertal).

Head Coach: Jukka Jalonen.

Leaders

The names of the Italian hockey players are unlikely to be familiar to you – most of the roster represents two teams from the national championship, as well as the Swiss league.

The federation's main bet before the home Olympics was on the head coach: Jukka Jalonen brought Olympic “gold” to Finland in 2022, “bronze” in 2010, and won the World Championship three times with his country. The Finn has been working with the Italians since 2024 – during this time he has returned the team to the top division of the World Championship.

Team Rosters. Group C

USA

Roster

Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets), Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars), Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins).

Defensemen: Brock Faber, Quinn Hughes (both – Minnesota Wild), Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights), Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks), Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators), Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes), Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets).

Forwards: J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck (both – New York Rangers), Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild), Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers), Clayton Keller (Utah Mammoth), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres).

Head Coach: Mike Sullivan (New York Rangers).

Leaders

The Americans will be led to Italy by the head coach of the worst team in the NHL's Eastern Conference. Credit where it's due – Mike Sullivan took only two players from his team of underdogs – J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck, who do not even rank in the top 30 in scoring this season.

Main attention will be on Jeremy Swayman – the American goalie with the most saves this season, as well as the league's top scorers Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel, and Zach Werenski. The main hopes rest on Auston Matthews, who had a fantastic last season, and the best assisting defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Germany

Roster

Goalies: Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken, NHL), Maximilian Franzreb (Adler Mannheim), Mathias Niederberger (Red Bull Munich).

Defensemen: Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings, NHL), Korbinian Geibel, Jonas Müller, Kai Wissmann (all – Eisbaren Berlin), Leon Gawanke, Lukas Kälble (both – Adler Mannheim), Moritz Müller (Cologne Haie), Fabio Wagner (Red Bull Munich).

Forwards: Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers, NHL), Tim Stützle (Ottawa Senators, NHL), Nico Sturm (Minnesota Wild, NHL), JJ Peterka (Utah Mammoth, NHL), Josh Samanski (Bakersfield Condors, AHL, USA), Wojciech Stachowiak (Syracuse Crunch, AHL, USA), Lukas Reichel (Abbotsford Canucks, AHL, USA), Dominik Kahun (Lausanne, Switzerland), Marc Michaelis, Alexander Ehl, Justin Schütz (all – Adler Mannheim), Frederik Tiffels (Eisbaren Berlin), Tobias Rieder (Red Bull Munich), Parker Tuomie (Cologne Haie).

Head Coach: Harold Kreis.

Key Players

All eyes will undoubtedly be on Leon Draisaitl – but the big question is whether he can perform at his usual level without Connor McDavid by his side. In recent NHL games, Tim Stützle and John Peterka have also been showcasing excellent form.

There are questions in the goaltending department – Philipp Grubauer, although playing overseas, has only played just over 20 games this season. Harold Kreis previously led a team, primarily composed of players from the DEL, to the silver medals at the 2023 World Championship.

Denmark

Roster

Goalies: Frederik Andersen (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL), Mads Søgaard (Ottawa Senators, NHL), Frederik Dichow (HV 71, Sweden).

Defensemen: Nicholas B. Jensen, Phillip Bruggisser (both – Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven, Germany), Matias Lassen (Iserlohn Roosters, Germany), Anders Koch (Graz, Austria), Jesper Jensen Aabo (Klagenfurt, Austria), Markus Lauridsen (Pustertal, Italy), Oliver Lauridsen (Turku, Finland).

Forwards: Lars Eller (Ottawa Senators, NHL), Jonas Røndbjerg (Vegas Golden Knights, NHL), Nikolaj Ehlers (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL), Oscar Fisker Mølgaard (Seattle Kraken, NHL), Frederik Storm, Patrick Russell (both – Cologne Haie, Germany), Christian Wejse (Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven, Germany), Alexander True (Jyvaskyla, Finland), Joachim Blichfeld (Tappara Tampere, Finland), Mikkel Aagaard (Skelleftea AIK, Sweden), Nick Olesen (Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic), Nicklas Jensen (Rapperswil Jona Lakers, Switzerland), Mathias Bau Hansen, Morten Poulsen (both – Herning Blue Fox).

Head Coach: Mikael Gath.

Key Players

Swedish coach Mikael Gath has called up all seven NHL players for the Danish national team. The most interest centers around Frederik Andersen, who is getting playing time, and his clubmate, the top Danish scorer Nikolaj Ehlers.

From the European leagues, Patrick Russell is showing productive hockey in Germany, Joachim Blichfeld in Finland, Nick Olesen in the Czech Republic and Mikkel Ogar in Sweden. In each of these leagues, Danes rank among the top ten scorers.

Latvia

Roster

Goalies: Artūrs Šilovs (Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL), Elvis Merzļikins (Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL), Kristers Gudļevskis (Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven, Germany).

Defensemen: Uvis Balinskis (Florida Panthers, NHL), Jānis Jaks, Roberts Mamčics (both – Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic), Kristiāns Rubīns (Skoda Plzen, Czech Republic), Kristaps Zīle (Bili Tygri Liberec, Czech Republic), Ralfs Freibergs (Vítkovice, Czech Republic), Oskars Cibuļskis (Herning Blue Fox, Denmark), Alberts Šmits (Jukurit Mikkeli, Finland).

Forwards: Zemgus Girgensons (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL), Teddy Blueger (Vancouver Canucks, NHL), Eduards Tralmaks (Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL, USA), Sandis Vilmanis (Charlotte Checkers, AHL, USA), Dans Ločmelis (Providence Bruins, AHL), Anrī Ravinskis (Abbotsford Canucks, AHL, Canada), Renārs Krastenbergs (Olomouc, Czech Republic), Mārtiņš Dzierkals (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic), Haralds Egle (Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic), Rūdolfs Balcers (Zurich Lions, Switzerland), Kaspars Daugaviņš (Kassel Huskies, Germany), Roberts Bukarts (Pioneers Vorarlberg, Austria), Oskars Batņa (Pelicans Lahti, Finland), Rihards Bukarts (HC 21 Prešov, Slovakia).

Head Coach: Harijs Vītoliņš.

Key Players

Harijs Vītoliņš has brought all Latvian NHL players to his second Olympics, except for Sandis Vilmanis from Florida. However, the statistics for all the field players are not impressive. For instance, the most productive Latvian player, Zemgus Girgensons, has only 13 points in 46 games.

In the goaltending department, the stats for Artūrs Šilovs and Elvis Merzļikins are not impressive, but over a span of 4-5 games in Italy, they can showcase a high level. Jānis Jaks, Haralds Egle, and Oskars Cibuļskis play important roles in their Czech clubs.

Who is the Favorite

Of course, the main favorites will be the teams with the majority of players from the best league in the world, the NHL. Bookmakers give the most preference to Canada, the USA, and Sweden, and the least to France, Italy, Latvia, and Denmark.

Odds* for the winner of the Olympic Games hockey tournament: