San Jose Sharks Forward Looks to Repeat Olympic Medal Success

Pavol Regenda and Slovakia aim to build on their surprise bronze medal finish at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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San Jose Sharks forward Pavol Regenda is heading to his second Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, after helping Slovakia win a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Games. Regenda and his teammates were celebrated as heroes back home after their unexpected podium finish, and they are hoping to replicate that success in 2026.

Why it matters

Regenda's Olympic success has brought increased attention to the growing hockey talent in Slovakia, which has produced several NHL stars in recent years. The country's ability to medal again would further showcase its emergence as a hockey powerhouse on the international stage.

The details

In 2022, Slovakia went 1-2 in group play but beat Germany 4-0 in the qualification round to advance to the quarterfinals, where they upset the United States. Slovakia then lost to Finland in the semifinals before beating Sweden 4-0 in the bronze medal game, with Regenda scoring late to seal the victory. The players were celebrated as heroes back home, with a parade through Bratislava and a stage show in front of thousands of fans.

  • Regenda and Slovakia will compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
  • Slovakia won the bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The players

Pavol Regenda

A 26-year-old forward for the San Jose Sharks who represented Slovakia at the 2022 Winter Olympics, where he helped the team win a bronze medal.

Slovakia

The national ice hockey team of Slovakia, which has produced several NHL stars in recent years and won a surprise bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“We felt like superstars, which we actually were at that time. It was the first medal ever for Slovakia in hockey. We are forever in history.”

— Pavol Regenda, San Jose Sharks forward (chicoer.com)

“It's kind of rewarding that now that the kids are looking up to us, and we are kind of idols for them. (It) sounds really crazy, but it is like that. We are heroes back at home for them.”

— Pavol Regenda, San Jose Sharks forward (chicoer.com)

What’s next

Regenda and Slovakia will look to build on their bronze medal success at the 2022 Olympics when they compete at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.

The takeaway

Regenda's Olympic heroics have helped raise the profile of hockey in Slovakia, a country that has produced several NHL stars in recent years. Slovakia's ability to medal again in 2026 would further cement its status as an emerging hockey powerhouse on the international stage.