10 Wild players representing countries at Olympics

Minnesota Wild players make up a large contingent at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Minnesota Wild will have a strong presence at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, with 10 players representing various countries. This includes goaltenders Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt for Sweden, forward Joel Eriksson Ek for Sweden, and defensemen Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber for the United States. The Wild's strong showing at the Olympics speaks to the quality of the team and why they have been so successful in the NHL.

Why it matters

The large number of Wild players competing at the Olympics highlights the strength and depth of the Minnesota Wild organization. It showcases the team's ability to develop top-tier talent that can compete at the highest international level. This exposure could also boost the profiles of these players and the Wild brand as a whole.

The details

In total, 10 players from the Minnesota Wild organization will be representing their respective countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. This includes goaltenders Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt for Sweden, forward Joel Eriksson Ek for Sweden, defensemen Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber for the United States, and Wild minor-leaguers David Spacek (Czech Republic) and Samuel Hlavaj (Slovakia). The Wild will also be represented by general manager Bill Guerin, assistant coach John Hynes, director of player personnel Chris Kelleher, athletic trainers John Worley and Travis Green, and team doctor Joel Boyd.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Milan, Italy.
  • The men's hockey tournament will kick off on Thursday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Filip Gustavsson

A goaltender for the Minnesota Wild who will be representing Sweden at the Olympics.

Jesper Wallstedt

A rookie goaltender for the Minnesota Wild who earned a spot on the Swedish Olympic team.

Joel Eriksson Ek

A forward for the Minnesota Wild who will be playing for the Swedish Olympic team.

Quinn Hughes

A defenseman for the United States Olympic team and the Minnesota Wild.

Matt Boldy

A forward for the United States Olympic team and the Minnesota Wild.

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What they’re saying

“It really is neat having so many of us here. It says a lot about our team and maybe why we've been so good.”

— Quinn Hughes (New York Times)

“We'd have like our normal lessons and then Sweden would play, and we'd pause the class to watch the games. That was the first memory I have.”

— Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild goaltender (New York Times)

What’s next

The men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics will begin on Thursday, February 13, 2026. The coaches for the various national teams will need to finalize their rosters and starting goaltenders in the days leading up to the opening games.

The takeaway

The large contingent of Minnesota Wild players competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan is a testament to the strength and depth of the organization. This exposure could boost the profiles of these players and the Wild brand as a whole, solidifying the team's status as one of the NHL's elite.