North Texas Athletes Set to Shine at 2026 Winter Olympics

From Dallas Stars players to rising local talents, these athletes are poised to make an impact in Milan Cortina.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:47pm

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A group of athletes from the North Texas region are set to represent the Lone Star State at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. This includes figure skaters Amber Glenn and Emily Chan, hockey player Hannah Bilka, and several Dallas Stars players like Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Roope Hintz, and Mikko Rantanen who will compete for their home countries.

Why it matters

The selection of these North Texas athletes to the Winter Olympics showcases the region's growing prominence in winter sports, from figure skating to hockey. It highlights the strong local youth development programs and community support that have helped nurture these athletes' talents over the years, allowing them to reach the pinnacle of their sports on the global stage.

The details

Amber Glenn, a 26-year-old from Plano, secured her Olympic spot by winning her third consecutive U.S. Figure Skating Championship. Emily Chan, a 28-year-old pairs skater from McKinney, also earned her ticket to Italy following a stellar performance at the national championships. Hockey player Hannah Bilka, 24, from Coppell, developed her skills through the Dallas Stars youth hockey programs before excelling at the college and professional levels. On the NHL side, Frisco's Seth Jones was selected to anchor the U.S. Men's Hockey Team but had to withdraw due to a collarbone injury. Several Dallas Stars players, including Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Roope Hintz, and Mikko Rantanen, will represent their home countries of Finland, while Jake Oettinger and Radek Faksa will play for Team USA and the Czech Republic, respectively.

  • The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are approaching in February.
  • Amber Glenn secured her Olympic spot by winning her third consecutive U.S. Figure Skating Championship in January 2026.
  • Emily Chan earned her ticket to Italy following a stellar performance at the national championships in 2026.
  • Seth Jones was selected to the U.S. Men's Hockey Team but had to withdraw due to a collarbone injury.

The players

Amber Glenn

A 26-year-old figure skater from Plano who secured her Olympic spot by winning her third consecutive U.S. Figure Skating Championship.

Emily Chan

A 28-year-old pairs skater from McKinney who earned her ticket to the 2026 Winter Olympics following a stellar performance at the national championships.

Hannah Bilka

A 24-year-old hockey player from Coppell who is representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Seth Jones

A 31-year-old NHL defenseman from Frisco who was selected to anchor the U.S. Men's Hockey Team but had to withdraw due to a collarbone injury.

Dallas Stars

The NHL team that has several key players, including Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Roope Hintz, Mikko Rantanen, Jake Oettinger, and Radek Faksa, representing their home countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The selection of these North Texas athletes to the 2026 Winter Olympics reflects the region's growing prominence in winter sports and the strong local youth development programs and community support that have helped nurture their talents over the years. Their achievements on the global stage will inspire the next generation of winter sports enthusiasts in the Lone Star State.