Josi named Team Switzerland captain for 2026 Olympics

Predators defenseman highest-scoring NHL player in country's history; Hischier, Fiala, Niederreiter alternates

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Roman Josi, the captain of the Nashville Predators, has been named the captain of Team Switzerland for the 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina. Josi is the highest-scoring Swiss-born player in NHL history with 763 points and 562 assists. Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, and Nino Niederreiter were named alternate captains for the Swiss team.

Why it matters

Josi is one of the NHL's elite defensemen and a leader for the Predators. His selection as captain of the Swiss national team highlights his status as one of the top players from his home country. The Olympics provide a global stage for national pride and Josi will look to lead Switzerland to a medal.

The details

Josi, 35, has played in the NHL for 15 seasons and won the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman in 2019-20. He has represented Switzerland in the Olympics (2014) and World Championships (9 times), winning three silver medals. Hischier, Fiala, and Niederreiter are also accomplished Swiss players in the NHL and will serve as alternate captains.

  • Josi was named Team Switzerland captain on February 11, 2026.
  • The 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina will take place later this year.

The players

Roman Josi

The 35-year-old defenseman is the captain of the Nashville Predators and the highest-scoring Swiss-born player in NHL history with 763 points and 562 assists.

Nico Hischier

The 27-year-old center is the captain of the New Jersey Devils and the fourth-highest scoring Swiss player in NHL history with 464 points.

Kevin Fiala

The 29-year-old forward is the second-highest scoring Swiss player in NHL history with 528 points and 229 goals.

Nino Niederreiter

The 33-year-old forward has the most games (1,024) and goals (248) among Swiss NHL players, and is third in points with 499.

Andrea Glauser

The 29-year-old defenseman has played for Switzerland's national team at the World Championships the past four years, winning silver twice.

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What they’re saying

“It's a huge honor, you know? Just representing your country at the Olympics is a huge honor, and being able to captain the team is pretty special, it's pretty cool.”

— Roman Josi (NHL.com)

“The whole [leadership] team we have like – 'Hischy', Nino, guys who are captains on their other teams, it's makes my job a lot easier, but it's definitely a huge honor.”

— Roman Josi (NHL.com)

What’s next

Switzerland will play its first game of the Olympic tournament against Team France on Thursday, February 13 at 6:10 a.m. ET.

The takeaway

Josi's selection as Team Switzerland captain for the 2026 Olympics highlights his status as one of the elite defensemen in the NHL and a leader for his national team. With a strong supporting cast of alternate captains, Josi will look to guide Switzerland to a medal on the global stage.