NHL Stars Barred From Olympics as Russia Faces Team Ban

Russia's Olympic team ban excludes top NHL players from Milan, stirring controversy as geopolitics impact the best-on-best hockey tournament.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Russia and Belarus have been banned from competing in team sports, including ice hockey, at the upcoming Milan Winter Olympics following their military invasion of Ukraine. This prohibition has prevented some of the world's top NHL players from Russia from participating in what was expected to be the first true best-on-best Olympic hockey tournament in ten years. The absence of Russian athletes has prompted concern and disappointment across the hockey world, especially among peers and fans who recognize the impact of this political decision.

Why it matters

The NHL players banned from the Olympics due to Russia's team ban has stirred a mix of strong emotions, illustrating how global politics and sport continue to be tightly interwoven, particularly in hockey. While fans and players may regret the absence of some of the world's premier talent, the exclusion reflects a broader consensus prioritizing geopolitical considerations over sporting competition.

The details

Had Russia been allowed to participate, its roster would be star-studded, including players like Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Artemi Panarin, and Ivan Demidov, as well as goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Igor Shesterkin, and Ilya Sorokin. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) have enforced the ban on Russia and Belarus following their military invasion of Ukraine.

  • The ban on Russia and Belarus was enforced ahead of the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
  • The 2022 Beijing Olympics were the last Olympics where Russia was able to compete.

The players

T.J. Oshie

An NHL player who won Olympic acclaim with his shootout performance against Russia in the 2014 Sochi Olympics and later became NHL teammates with Alex Ovechkin on the Washington Capitals.

Alex Ovechkin

A Russian NHL player who recently surpassed Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record and would have likely played a key role on the Russian Olympic team if they were allowed to compete.

Jacob Markstrom

The goalie for the Swedish national hockey team, who acknowledged the talent lost from the Olympic tournament due to Russia's exclusion.

Mika Zibanejad

A Swedish NHL player who declined to comment in detail on Russia's Olympic ban, calling it a conversation to be had in a different setting.

Jack O'Callahan

A member of the 1980 U.S. hockey team who voiced his profound disappointment over Russia's Olympic ban.

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What they’re saying

“I feel bad that 'O' can't go represent his country. He's got two young boys that haven't been able to watch him in the Olympics. So, as a friend, I think that's very unfortunate that they don't get to experience that.”

— T.J. Oshie (theconwaybulletin.com)

“It's a lot of good hockey players that play in the NHL we play against daily, that are top of the points and top players for their team. But I'm not decision maker or the shot caller for everything that's going on, so that's out of my pay grade.”

— Jacob Markstrom, Sweden's goalie (theconwaybulletin.com)

“a conversation to be had in a different setting.”

— Mika Zibanejad, Sweden's NHL player (theconwaybulletin.com)

“I'm just incredibly disappointed that Russia is not in the Olympics and from the hockey perspective, definitely, but also even the other sports. I'm just really disappointed. I think it's so short-sighted that the IOC is keeping Russia out of the Olympics. That really kind of bugs me.”

— Jack O'Callahan, Member of the 1980 U.S. hockey team (theconwaybulletin.com)

“You'll hear the argument made by Russians, as well as by hockey fans in North America, that the Olympic tournament is losing quality in not having the Russians there. When I'm reading the Russian sports press, commentators will say, 'Well, this tournament isn't top level because the Russian team, the best team in the world, isn't even there.'”

— Bruce Berglund, Author of 'The Moscow Playbook' (theconwaybulletin.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.