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Finland Unveils Olympic Ice Hockey Roster for 2026

1/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Finland announced its 25-man ice hockey roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, aiming to defend its gold medal from the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The team includes 24 NHL players, while Aleksander Barkov is sidelined with a knee injury.
New players Eeli Tolvanen, Oliver Kapanen, and Joel Kiviranta join the roster, and Mikko Lehtonen returns after winning gold in 2022.
Finland will compete in Group B, starting against Slovakia on February 11, 2026, with the gold-medal game scheduled for February 22.

History

Historical Context

Finland achieved its first Olympic gold medal in men's ice hockey at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, defeating the Russian Olympic Committee 2-1. This victory followed Finland's long pursuit of international recognition in ice hockey, particularly after the Russian team won gold in 2018. As Finland prepares for the 2026 Olympics, the inclusion of NHL players highlights the growing influence of professional leagues in international competitions.

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Story summary

Finland announced its 25-man ice hockey roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, aiming to defend its gold medal from the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The team includes 24 NHL players, while Aleksander Barkov is sidelined with a knee injury.
New players Eeli Tolvanen, Oliver Kapanen, and Joel Kiviranta join the roster, and Mikko Lehtonen returns after winning gold in 2022.
Finland will compete in Group B, starting against Slovakia on February 11, 2026, with the gold-medal game scheduled for February 22.

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