7 Dallas Stars Players Headed to 2026 Winter Olympics

Finland and Slovakia will feature the most Stars players at the upcoming Winter Games.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Seven Dallas Stars players will compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. Four Stars - Miro Heiskanen, Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, and Esa Lindell - will represent Finland, while Radek Faksa will play for the Czech Republic and Thomas Harley for Team Canada. Goaltender Jake Oettinger will also travel to the Olympics as a depth piece for the United States.

Why it matters

The Dallas Stars will have a significant presence at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with nearly half of their roster representing their home countries. This highlights the talent and international recognition of the Stars' players, and could boost the team's profile and fan engagement during the NHL season.

The details

Finland, the defending gold medalist, will feature four Stars players on its roster. Miro Heiskanen, Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, and Esa Lindell will look to help Finland defend its title. Rantanen has been named an alternate captain, while Heiskanen and Lindell are projected to form Finland's top defensive pairing. Radek Faksa will represent the Czech Republic, likely in a defensive/penalty-killing role, while Thomas Harley will make his Olympic debut for Team Canada on the third defensive line. Goaltender Jake Oettinger will provide depth for the United States.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy will take place from February 6-22, 2026.
  • The men's ice hockey tournament begins on February 12, 2026 with the preliminary round.

The players

Miro Heiskanen

A defenseman for the Dallas Stars who competed in the 2018 Olympics and is projected as a first-line defenseman for Finland in 2026.

Mikko Rantanen

A forward for the Dallas Stars who has been named an alternate captain for the Finnish Olympic team. He has 20 goals and 49 assists in 54 games this season and will be a key offensive presence for Finland.

Roope Hintz

A first-line forward for the Dallas Stars who will make his Olympic debut for Finland, leveraging his NHL experience and chemistry with teammates Rantanen and Granlund.

Esa Lindell

A defenseman for the Dallas Stars who will compete in his first Olympics, likely pairing with teammate Heiskanen to form Finland's top defensive unit.

Radek Faksa

A penalty kill and face-off specialist for the Dallas Stars who will represent the Czech Republic, likely in a bottom-line role.

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What they’re saying

“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)

What’s next

The men's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics will begin on February 12, 2026 with the preliminary round. Finland and the Czech Republic will compete in the opening games, with the Dallas Stars players looking to help their national teams advance towards the medal rounds.

The takeaway

The Dallas Stars will have a significant presence at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with seven players representing their home countries. This highlights the talent and international recognition of the Stars' roster, and could boost the team's profile and fan engagement during the NHL season as their players compete on the global stage.