Los Angeles Kings forward Kevin Fiala shared his pride and anticipation for representing Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. As one of the first players announced for the team, Fiala highlighted the strong chemistry among Swiss players built through repeated World Championship appearances. He described the opportunity as a dream come true, marking his Olympic debut.
Kevin Fiala, a forward for the Los Angeles Kings, discussed his enthusiasm for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics during an interview, emphasizing the unique bond among Switzerland's national team players. Switzerland's roster for the tournament in Milan was formally announced last week, with Fiala among the initial six players selected. This will be Fiala's first Olympic appearance in a best-on-best format, differing from the World Championships he has frequently joined.
Switzerland boasts fewer top NHL talents compared to powerhouses like Canada and the United States, but their players consistently participate when possible, fostering a family-like atmosphere. "We’re very tight, that’s why I’ve been at World Championships, when I can go, I go," Fiala said. "It’s really like a family, so it’s always exciting to see each other and compete with each other, to go to the main goal."
Fiala's international record underscores Switzerland's recent rise. In the 2024 World Championships, he led the team to the gold-medal game, where they lost 2-0 to Czechia, earning 13 points in eight games and tournament MVP honors. He also secured silver medals in 2025 against the United States and in 2018. These achievements represent three of Switzerland's four World Championship silvers since 1953. At the Olympics, the nation has only two medals, the last in 1948.
The 2026 team includes 10 NHL players, such as New Jersey's Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, Winnipeg's Nino Niederreiter, Nashville's Roman Josi, and Tampa Bay's J.J. Moser—all core members from recent World Championships. An early matchup against Canada will pit Fiala against his Kings teammates Drew Doughty and Darcy Kuemper. "It will be a lot of fun, obviously their team is very strong, so it will be fun to see where we stand and to play against those two guys, that’s very exciting," Fiala noted.
Beyond hockey, Fiala looks forward to the broader Olympic experience, recalling watching the 2006 Games as a child and enjoying sports like curling and skiing. "Olympics is just something that a lot of people watch and for me, I love watching it, not just hockey, but overall, it’s just a great atmosphere," he added. Fiala views the tournament as a chance for Switzerland to chase their first Olympic medal in decades, leveraging their built-up chemistry.