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Sidney Crosby reflects on his Olympic journey as a third-time participant in the Milan Games, 16 years after scoring the decisive goal that secured Canada’s gold medal on home ice in Vancouver.
“There’s some days that it feels like 12 years and other days where it feels like yesterday,” Crosby said, contemplating the time that has passed since his first Olympic appearance.
For others, like Sweden’s Rasmus Dahlin, initial Olympic experiences weren’t as memorable. Dahlin, who made his Olympic debut at just 17 years old in South Korea’s 2018 Games, candidly admitted, “I did not enjoy it one bit. I was just young and dumb. I didn’t really realize I was at the Olympics.”
The 2026 Milan Olympics marks a significant milestone for men’s hockey, representing the first comprehensive international tournament featuring the world’s elite talent in a decade. The last such event was the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, with NHL players absent from Olympic competition since 2014 in Sochi.
The tournament roster reflects this gap, with only four active players remaining from the 2010 Vancouver Games: Crosby and Drew Doughty of Canada, Latvia’s Kaspars Daugavins, and Czechia’s Roman Cervenka. At 40, Cervenka stands as the only five-time Olympian in the current field.
“A lot of things are different, but the same goal is in mind and that’s the gold medal,” said Doughty, who returns for his third Olympics. “It means so much, and it’s been so long since the last one. That’s all you think about when you come here.”
Sweden brings the most veterans from the 2014 Sochi Games with four players: Gabriel Landeskog, Erik Karlsson, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Marcus Johansson, who joined as an injury replacement. The experience, though sometimes hazy in memory, provides valuable perspective.
“It’s always something that, when you’re in those moments, it gives you a sense of comfort that you’ve been here before,” Karlsson noted.
While Canada fields two players from 2014, the United States has no returning players from the Sochi Olympics. Other nations bring varying levels of experience, with Czechia and Switzerland each returning three players, while Finland has two.
Latvia’s veteran contingent includes Daugavins, Zemgus Girgensons, Ralfs Freibergs, and goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis, who nearly orchestrated a stunning upset against Canada in 2014 with an extraordinary 55-save performance in the quarterfinals.
“I feel like every next time I’m coming to the Olympic Games, I appreciate it more and more,” Gudlevskis reflected. “I just feel more appreciative for the opportunity to be here and be a part of this whole thing.”
The NHL’s absence from the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics created unique opportunities for young talents. Finland’s Miro Heiskanen and Eeli Tolvanen, along with Sweden’s Dahlin, earned spots on their national teams that might otherwise have gone to NHL veterans.
“We were kind of the kids around that everybody else was babysitting,” recalled Tolvanen, who made the all-tournament team. Unlike Dahlin’s negative experience, Tolvanen and Heiskanen cherished their Olympic debuts.
“To get to play there at 18 years old, it was a pretty cool moment and something for sure I remember the rest of my life,” Heiskanen said. “It probably helps a little bit to know how all the things work here and know a little bit what to expect.”
The 2022 Beijing Olympics presented another unusual scenario. Though the NHL initially planned to return to Olympic competition, pandemic-related scheduling challenges forced the league to withdraw. This created another opportunity for younger players, including Slovakia’s Juraj Slafkovsky, who emerged as a star by scoring seven goals at age 17 to earn tournament MVP honors while leading his country to a bronze medal.
American defensemen Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson, who competed in Beijing, bring valuable experience regarding the high-stakes nature of Olympic tournament play. However, they maintain a humble approach among their veteran teammates.
“You kind of just soak it all in,” Sanderson said. “But I think Fabes and I being the two youngest on the team, I don’t think we’re holding court too much there.”
A significant difference between Milan and Beijing is the freedom participants now enjoy. Rather than operating under strict COVID-19 bubble protocols, athletes can explore the host city. Despite this contrast, Faber noted surprising similarities in the overall Olympic experience.
With Canada having won the last two Olympic tournaments featuring NHL players, and Finland taking gold in the 2022 Games, the Milan Olympics promises intense competition as the world’s best hockey nations vie for supremacy on the international stage.
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12 Comments
Crosby’s reflection on the passage of time is relatable. The Olympics can feel both recent and distant, especially for veteran athletes. It will be fascinating to see how they approach their final Olympic appearances.
Indeed. The Olympics often mark defining moments in an athlete’s career, and the emotions they evoke can be complex.
Dahlin’s candid admission about his initial Olympic experience is refreshingly honest. It’s a good reminder that even the most talented players can struggle to fully embrace the magnitude of the event early on.
Absolutely. The Olympics can be an overwhelming experience, especially for young athletes. It takes time to learn how to thrive in that environment.
The return of NHL players to the Olympics is a significant development for the sport. It will be interesting to see how the dynamics and level of competition shift with the world’s elite talent reunited on the international stage.
Well said. This should make for a thrilling tournament and a true test of the best hockey players on the planet.
I’m curious to see how the roster dynamics play out with so few active Olympians from 2010 remaining. It will be a fresh generation of players representing their countries.
Good point. The new wave of talent will bring a different energy and perspective to the tournament.
The return of NHL players to the Olympics is big news for the sport. It will be exciting to see the world’s elite talent compete on the international stage again after a long hiatus.
Absolutely. This should raise the level of competition and make for some thrilling hockey at the Milan Games.
Interesting to see veteran players like Crosby and Dahlin share their Olympic journeys. Experience can be invaluable at that level, but it’s also important to stay hungry and focused no matter your age or prior accomplishments.
Agreed. The Olympics are a unique stage, and having seasoned players can provide a steadying presence for younger teammates.