Russian Hockey Players Banned From 2026 Olympics

Absence of stars like Ovechkin, Kucherov, and Vasilevskiy raises concerns about tournament's legitimacy.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The upcoming 2026 Olympic hockey tournament in Milan will be missing some of the sport's biggest stars, as the Russian national team remains excluded from international competition following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes has drawn criticism from players like T.J. Oshie, whose Washington Capitals teammate Alexander Ovechkin will not be able to represent his country. Analysts note that Russian media outlets are already dismissing the tournament's legitimacy without their participation.

Why it matters

The exclusion of elite Russian players like Ovechkin, Bobrovsky, Shesterkin, and Kucherov is seen as a significant blow to the talent pool and competitiveness of the Olympic hockey tournament. There are concerns that the absence of Russia, a traditional powerhouse in international hockey, will undermine the legitimacy of the event in the eyes of fans and media.

The details

The International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation have maintained the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This means stars like Ovechkin, Bobrovsky, Vasilevskiy, Kucherov, and Kaprizov will not be able to participate, despite their dominance in the NHL. The NHL has stated it has no say in which countries are permitted to compete in IIHF-governed tournaments.

  • The 2026 Olympic hockey tournament is scheduled to take place in Milan, Italy.
  • The ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition has been in place since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The players

T.J. Oshie

Captain of the Washington Capitals and teammate of Alexander Ovechkin.

Alexander Ovechkin

38-year-old Russian hockey player who recently broke the NHL's all-time goal-scoring record.

Bruce Berglund

Author of "The Moscow Playbook: How Russia Used, Abused, and Transformed Sports in the Hunt for Power."

Sergei Bobrovsky

Russian goaltender for the Florida Panthers and Stanley Cup winner.

Andrei Vasilevskiy

Russian goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Stanley Cup winner.

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What’s next

The International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation will continue to evaluate Russia's participation in future international competitions as the war in Ukraine continues.

The takeaway

The absence of elite Russian hockey players from the 2026 Olympics raises concerns about the tournament's competitiveness and legitimacy, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical tensions stemming from the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.