Los Angeles Kings forward Kevin Fiala sustained fractures in his left lower leg during a game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, requiring surgery and sidelining him for the remainder of the NHL regular season. The 29-year-old was injured while playing for Team Switzerland in a 5-1 loss to Team Canada on Friday in Milan. He will be reevaluated after the season ends.
Kevin Fiala, a forward for the Los Angeles Kings, underwent successful surgery to repair fractures in his left lower leg following an injury sustained during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The incident occurred at 17:10 of the third period in Team Switzerland's 5-1 loss to Team Canada on Friday. Fiala was hit into the side boards by Canada forward Tom Wilson, who then fell on his left leg. Lying on his stomach on the ice, Fiala managed to get up onto his elbows but could not move his lower body and was transported to the hospital.
The Kings announced on Sunday that Fiala is resting comfortably and will begin a recovery and rehabilitation program. He will miss the rest of the 2025-26 NHL regular season and be reevaluated at its conclusion. Prior to the Olympic break, Fiala had recorded 40 points, with 18 goals and 22 assists, in 56 games for the Kings, who trailed the Anaheim Ducks by three points for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Fiala expressed disappointment: “Not the ending I imagined for my first Olympics. Thank you everyone for reaching out. I truly appreciate the support. Biggest good luck to my team Switzerland, go get them!”
Switzerland forward Nico Hischier described the play as unintentional: “It seemed like an innocuous play. I don’t see any intention at all. It’s an unfortunate play and things like that happen. You get tangled up there and fell and twisted his leg. You saw [Canada] was all out there and they stick-tapped as well. Nobody likes to see that. I think both sides are wishing him the best.”
Switzerland captain Roman Josi added, “It’s obviously emotional when you see a teammate go down like that. He’s such a huge player for us, such a great player and great person. So, we’re hoping for the best.”
Switzerland finished the preliminary round with a 1-1-1-0 record, earning the No. 5 seed, and is scheduled to face No. 12 Team Italy in the qualifying playoffs on Tuesday at 6:10 a.m. ET.
