NHL Players Named to Preliminary Rosters for 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy

The 2026 Winter Olympics, set to take place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, will mark the return of NHL players to the Games for the first time since 2014. Preliminary rosters have been announced for several countries, featuring top NHL stars such as Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Charlie McAvoy, and the Tkachuk brothers for the United States; Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas, and Gabriel Landeskog for Canada, Czechia, and Sweden; and Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, and Mikko Rantanen for Finland. Notably, players like MacKinnon and Landeskog have the chance to join the exclusive Triple Gold Club by winning an Olympic gold medal, having already secured Stanley Cups and World Championship golds. The NHL's return to the Olympics follows its absence in 2018 and 2022 due to disputes with international governing bodies and global events. With fierce rivalries reignited, especially between the U.S. and Canada, the tournament promises to be highly competitive and a highlight of the 2026 Games. Rosters will continue to be revealed throughout the 2025-26 NHL season as the tournament approaches.