Blackhawks' Teuvo Teräväinen Wins Bronze at Olympics

Center returns to NHL after 'awesome experience' with Team Finland in Milan

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:31am

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Chicago Blackhawks center Teuvo Teräväinen spoke about his Winter Olympics experience with Team Finland in Milan, where he helped the team win a bronze medal. Teräväinen, a 13-year NHL veteran, said it was an 'awesome experience' to play for his home country and hang out with the fans, despite some challenges with the ice conditions and accommodations at the Olympic Village.

Why it matters

Teräväinen's Olympic success adds to his growing list of international achievements, which includes winning gold at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship and playing for Finland in other major tournaments. His performance in Milan will boost his confidence and experience as he returns to the Blackhawks, who are looking to make a playoff push.

The details

Teräväinen and Team Finland cruised past Slovakia 6-1 in the bronze-medal game, their seventh medal in the last nine Olympics. The center wasn't the main focus in Milan, but he still played a key role, even as Finland fell 3-2 to Canada in the semifinals. Teräväinen noted some challenges, like the 'soft ice' and 'hard to play' arena, as well as being cramped in the small Olympic Village rooms with his 6-foot-3, 217-pound roommate Esa Lindell of the Dallas Stars.

  • Teräväinen spent the last few weeks in Milan skating for Team Finland at the Winter Olympics.
  • Finland defeated Slovakia 6-1 in the bronze-medal game on February 25, 2026.
  • Teräväinen returned to the United States, but had a difficult time with his flights, getting 'stuck in New York'.

The players

Teuvo Teräväinen

A 31-year-old center for the Chicago Blackhawks who won a bronze medal with Team Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Esa Lindell

A 6-foot-3, 217-pound defenseman for the Dallas Stars who was Teräväinen's roommate in the Olympic Village.

Nathan MacKinnon

A Canadian hockey player whose power-play goal helped Canada rally to edge Finland 3-2 in the Olympic semifinal.

Nick Foligno

A Blackhawks teammate of Teräväinen who closely followed Finland's performance in the Olympics.

Anders Sörensen

A Blackhawks assistant coach who also had a Swedish player competing in the Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“It's such an awesome experience, just to hang out with all the fans and play for your country. Every time you step on the ice, you put everything out there and this time, we got at least something back home.”

— Teuvo Teräväinen

“It was awesome to see, and I'm proud, he looked really good. It was fun to watch and cheer him on and (Hawks assistant coach Anders Sörensen) with Sweden as well.”

— Nick Foligno, Blackhawks teammate

What’s next

Teräväinen will look to build on his Olympic success as he rejoins the Blackhawks and helps the team make a push for the playoffs.

The takeaway

Teräväinen's bronze medal performance at the Olympics showcases his continued growth as an international hockey star, adding to his already impressive resume. His experience in Milan will provide a boost of confidence as he returns to the Blackhawks and looks to lead the team to the postseason.