NHL Players Shine at 2026 Olympics

Full list of NHL players representing 32 teams and 12 countries at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics mark the return of NHL players to the international stage after nearly 12 years. A total of 212 NHL players from all 32 teams are competing for 12 different countries, including powerhouses like the United States, Canada, and Finland. The unbeaten U.S. team has secured a spot in the quarterfinals after defeating Germany 5-1.

Why it matters

The inclusion of NHL players at the 2026 Olympics is a major boost for the men's hockey tournament, which has lacked the star power of the world's best professional league since the 2014 Sochi Games. Fans are eager to see their favorite NHL stars represent their home countries on the Olympic stage, adding excitement and prestige to the competition.

The details

Each of the NHL's 32 teams is represented at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, with a total of 212 NHL players competing for 12 different countries. Some of the top NHL stars include Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon (Canada), Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk (USA), and Sebastian Aho and Mikko Rantanen (Finland). The unbeaten U.S. team, led by Jack Hughes, Brock Nelson, and Jaccob Slavin, defeated Germany 5-1 to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

  • The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics are the first Games with NHL players after nearly 12 years.
  • The men's hockey tournament began on February 16, 2026.
  • The U.S. team defeated Germany on February 19, 2026, to advance to the quarterfinals.
  • The quarterfinal games will take place on February 21, 2026.
  • The men's hockey gold medal game is scheduled for February 23, 2026.

The players

Connor McDavid

Canadian forward playing for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL.

Nathan MacKinnon

Canadian forward playing for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL.

Auston Matthews

American forward playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL.

Matthew Tkachuk

American forward playing for the Florida Panthers in the NHL.

Sebastian Aho

Finnish forward playing for the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL.

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What they’re saying

“That one took a while to get over. You're picking sizes for your Ralph Lauren outfit to walk around in the opening ceremonies. That stuff got real. It got really real. And you internalize it. It works as motivation. You want to be a part of that, and then you just lose it in a matter of seconds.”

— Charlie McAvoy, U.S. defenseman (NBC Chicago)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The quarterfinal games will take place on Wednesday, February 21, 2026, with the U.S. team facing the winner of the qualification round game between Sweden and Latvia.

The takeaway

The return of NHL players to the Olympics has generated immense excitement and anticipation among hockey fans around the world. The 2026 Milan Cortina Games promise to be a showcase of the sport's top talent as the world's best players compete for their national teams on the international stage.