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Clifton Today
By the People, for the People
Penguins Players Enjoy Sunny Getaways During Olympic Break
Kris Letang and teammates recharge with trips to Florida, the Bahamas, and more
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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After the Penguins' last game before the Olympic break on February 5, the players who didn't go to Italy for the games took the opportunity to travel to sunny destinations and enjoy some rest and relaxation. From Turks and Caicos to the Bahamas, the players took advantage of the long break to recharge their batteries, heal up, and spend time with family and friends.
Why it matters
The Olympic break provides a rare extended time off for NHL players in the middle of the grueling regular season. This time allows them to recover physically and mentally, which can be crucial for the final stretch run to the playoffs.
The details
Several Penguins players shared details of their Olympic break getaways. Noel Acciari and Bryan Rust traveled to Turks and Caicos and Naples, Florida, where they learned to play mahjong and enjoyed the pool and local dining. Ryan Shea, Kevin Hayes, and others went to Anguilla, where they rented a boat and had excellent meals. Goalies Stuart Skinner and Tommy Novak both visited the Bahamas, while Brett Kulak stayed in Pompano Beach, Florida, and Anthony Mantha and his wife went to Palm Beach, also in Florida. Ilya Solovyov spent time in Fort Lauderdale with family and friends.
- The Penguins last played on February 5 before the Olympic break.
- The Olympic break lasted over a week-plus, from February 5 to February 19.
The players
Kris Letang
A veteran defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Noel Acciari
A forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bryan Rust
A forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ryan Shea
A defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Kevin Hayes
A forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
What they’re saying
“It's a nice and long break. And a lot of guys were hurt during the first half, also. So, many guys had to step up, take more ice time. Maybe they have some bumps and bruises. It's great to have that time off and recharge your battery, heal up and get ready for the last stretch.”
— Kris Letang (nhl.com)
“In Turks and Caicos, I learned how to play mahjong. They taught me how to play, so that was fun. We were by the pool, and we played. We had some good dinners, and watched the Super Bowl in Turks, and played mahjong while watching the Super Bowl. We were intense. Enjoyed some quietness without the kids, and then we were in Naples. I was at the pool a lot. Dinners at the pool, chasing the kids around, going in the pool, it was just lowkey.”
— Noel Acciari, Pittsburgh Penguins forward (nhl.com)
“They were equally as fun in completely different ways.”
— Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh Penguins forward (nhl.com)
The takeaway
The Olympic break provides a valuable opportunity for NHL players to rest, recover, and recharge both physically and mentally before the final push to the playoffs. The Penguins players took full advantage of this time off, traveling to sunny destinations and spending quality time with family and friends, which should help them come back refreshed and ready to finish the season strong.
