The NHL has announced the complete rosters for the men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, marking the first participation of NHL players since the 2014 Sochi Games. Twelve teams will compete, featuring stars like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. The event begins on February 11, 2026, with preliminary rounds leading to a gold medal game on February 22.
The men's hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will feature NHL players for the first time since 2014, bringing top talent from across the league to the ice in Italy. The competition starts on February 11 with Team Slovakia facing Team Finland, followed by Team Sweden against host Team Italy. All 12 teams will play three preliminary games in their groups before advancing to a single-elimination playoff format, culminating in the gold medal game on February 22.
Games will take place at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena or the Rho Ice Hockey Arena in Milano. Team USA, in Group C, opens against Team Latvia on February 12, followed by matchups with Team Denmark on February 14 and Team Germany on February 15. Team Canada begins against Team Czechia on February 12, then faces Team Switzerland on February 13 and Team France on February 15.
Rosters highlight elite NHL stars. Team Canada includes forwards like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon, with defensemen such as Cale Makar and Drew Doughty, and goaltenders Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, and Logan Thompson. Team United States features Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, and Clayton Keller up front, alongside Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy on defense, with Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman in net.
Other notable selections include Leon Draisaitl and Moritz Seider for Germany, David Pastrnak and Tomas Hertl for Czechia, and Sebastian Aho and Mikko Rantanen for Finland. Team Sweden boasts Elias Pettersson, William Nylander, and Victor Hedman, while Switzerland fields Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Roman Josi. Denmark has Nikolaj Ehlers and Lars Eller, Latvia includes Elvis Merzlikins and Arturs Silovs, and Slovakia features Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec.
Team Italy's roster is expected to be announced later. This return of NHL players promises high-level competition and global excitement for the sport.
