NHL Stars Shine at 2026 Winter Olympics

Top players from around the league represent their home countries in Milan-Cortina Games

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have arrived, and one of the main attractions is the return of NHL players to the men's hockey tournament. After a 12-year absence, the world's best hockey players are back on the Olympic stage, representing their home countries and adding extra excitement and intrigue to the competition.

Why it matters

The inclusion of NHL stars in the Olympic hockey tournament is a highly anticipated event, as it allows fans to see their favorite players compete on the global stage. This also sets up potential rivalries between hockey powerhouses like Canada, the United States, and Russia, adding to the drama and excitement of the games.

The details

A full roster of NHL players has been announced for the 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey tournament. Some of the top names include Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby for Canada, Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel for the United States, and Leon Draisaitl for Germany. Other notable players include Elias Pettersson (Sweden), Miro Heiskanen (Finland), and Rasmus Dahlin (Sweden).

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are currently underway in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
  • The men's hockey tournament is scheduled to take place from February 9-22, 2026.

The players

Connor McDavid

Canadian hockey superstar and captain of the Edmonton Oilers.

Sidney Crosby

Legendary Canadian center and three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Auston Matthews

American center and face of the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise.

Jack Eichel

American center and star player for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Leon Draisaitl

German forward and scoring champion for the Edmonton Oilers.

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What they’re saying

“It's an honor to represent my country at the Olympics. I can't wait to compete against the best players in the world and bring home a gold medal for Canada.”

— Connor McDavid (Instagram)

“The Olympics are the pinnacle of our sport, and I'm thrilled to have the chance to play on that stage again. Team USA is going to leave it all out on the ice.”

— Auston Matthews (Twitter)

What’s next

The men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics will conclude on February 22nd, with the gold medal game expected to be a highly anticipated matchup between hockey powerhouses.

The takeaway

The return of NHL players to the Olympic hockey tournament is sure to captivate fans around the world, as they get to see the best players in the league compete for their home countries on the global stage. This event promises to be filled with intense rivalries, highlight-reel plays, and the ultimate prize of an Olympic gold medal.