photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Andre Ringuette
Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026: All 12 Federations announce First 6 Men’s Hockey Players to their Preliminary Roster
All 12 participating ice hockey federations have announced the initial six players proposed to their preliminary rosters for the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The announcement was made in cooperation with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Milano Cortina 2026 represents an important moment in ice hockey history. For the first time in 12 years, NHL players will participate in the Olympic Winter Games, heightening the anticipation among athletes, fans, media, and organizers alike.
“We are thrilled to welcome NHL players back to the Winter Olympics. For the IIHF, this is a major step in showcasing ice hockey at its highest level on the world stage. Fans in Milano Cortina and around the globe can look forward to world-class competition and unforgettable moments. This return strengthens our partnership with the NHL, NHLPA and IOC, and we are excited for what’s ahead. I can’t wait for the Games to begin,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif.
“The National Hockey League is looking forward with great excitement to the hockey tournament at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games,’’ NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. “As was demonstrated so vividly at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off, there are few competitions in all of international sports that can match the passion, talent and spectacle of NHL Players representing their countries in a best-on-best tournament. We know that the presence of the Players named today, and the many more NHL stars who will join them, will make for a memorable Olympic men’s hockey tournament in February.”
“The naming of the initial players to their country's Olympic Winter Games men's hockey team marks a powerful return to Olympic competition, something our players have long championed,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “Building off the memorable Four Nations Face-Off this past February in Montreal and Boston, our players look forward to once again representing their home countries on the Olympic global stage in Milan."
All 12 participating ice hockey federations have announced the initial six players proposed to their preliminary rosters for the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The announcement was made in cooperation with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
- Canada: Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Connor McDavid, Brayden Point, Sam Reinhart
- Czechia: David Pastrnak, Martin Necas, Ondrej Palat, Pavel Zacha, Radko Gudas, Lukas Dostal
- Denmark: Frederik Andersen, Nikolaj Ehlers, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jesper Jensen Aabo, Lars Eller, Jonas Rondbjerg
- Finland: Juuse Saros, Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, Mikko Rantanen, Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho
- France: Yohann Auvitu, Jules Boscq, Hugo Gallet, Alexandre Texier, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Jordann Perret
- Germany: Leon Draisaitl, Moritz Seider, Philipp Grubauer, Lukas Reichel, Nico Sturm, Tim Stutzle
- Italy: Damian Clara, Thomas Larkin, Luca Zanatta, Diego Kostner, Tommy Purdeller, Daniel Mantenuto
- Latvia: Rodrigo Abols, Uvis Balinskis, Zemgus Girgensons, Elvis Merzlikins, Arturs Silovs, Teodors Blugers
- Slovakia: Juraj Slafkovsky, Martin Pospisil, Simon Nemec, Martin Fehervary, Erik Cernak, Tomas Tatar
- Sweden: Rasmus Dahlin, Victor Hedman, Adrian Kempe, Gabriel Landeskog, William Nylander, Lucas Raymond
- Switzerland: Jonas Siegenthaler, Roman Josi, Kevin Fiala, Nico Hischier, Nino Niederreiter, Timo Meier
- USA: Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy
Milano Cortina 2026 represents an important moment in ice hockey history. For the first time in 12 years, NHL players will participate in the Olympic Winter Games, heightening the anticipation among athletes, fans, media, and organizers alike.
“We are thrilled to welcome NHL players back to the Winter Olympics. For the IIHF, this is a major step in showcasing ice hockey at its highest level on the world stage. Fans in Milano Cortina and around the globe can look forward to world-class competition and unforgettable moments. This return strengthens our partnership with the NHL, NHLPA and IOC, and we are excited for what’s ahead. I can’t wait for the Games to begin,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif.
“The National Hockey League is looking forward with great excitement to the hockey tournament at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games,’’ NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. “As was demonstrated so vividly at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off, there are few competitions in all of international sports that can match the passion, talent and spectacle of NHL Players representing their countries in a best-on-best tournament. We know that the presence of the Players named today, and the many more NHL stars who will join them, will make for a memorable Olympic men’s hockey tournament in February.”
“The naming of the initial players to their country's Olympic Winter Games men's hockey team marks a powerful return to Olympic competition, something our players have long championed,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “Building off the memorable Four Nations Face-Off this past February in Montreal and Boston, our players look forward to once again representing their home countries on the Olympic global stage in Milan."
The 12-team men’s tournament will take place from 11 to 22 February. The main venue will be the new, 14,000-capacity Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The secondary venue will be the 5,700-capacity Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
The teams will play in three groups. Group A features Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, and France. Group B includes Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, and Italy. Group C has the United States, Germany, Latvia, and Denmark. Complete rosters for each team will be announced beginning of 2026.
The final roster of athletes participating at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will be confirmed by the respective National Olympic Committees, as per the Olympic Charter.
Visit www.iihf.com for the latest information on the 2026 Olympic men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments. Ticketing information is available at https://tickets.milanocortina2026.org/en. For information on official merchandise, hospitality packages, volunteer opportunities, the Olympic torch relay, and more, see https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en.
The teams will play in three groups. Group A features Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, and France. Group B includes Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, and Italy. Group C has the United States, Germany, Latvia, and Denmark. Complete rosters for each team will be announced beginning of 2026.
The final roster of athletes participating at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will be confirmed by the respective National Olympic Committees, as per the Olympic Charter.
Visit www.iihf.com for the latest information on the 2026 Olympic men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments. Ticketing information is available at https://tickets.milanocortina2026.org/en. For information on official merchandise, hospitality packages, volunteer opportunities, the Olympic torch relay, and more, see https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en.