A complete list of which Colorado Avalanche will represent at the 2026 Olympics.
It was always expected that the Colorado Avalanche would have a large contingent of members represented at the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and after their blazing start on the season that hasn’t changed. Officially eight players have been named to Olympic rosters, let’s break them down.
Canada 🇨🇦
The nation as the odds-on favorite to take the gold medal, are hoping for a repeat performance the last time NHL players were in attendance. It has been a long 12 year wait since that gold medal result and Canada bringing an all-star team worthy of hold isn’t changing that goal.
As expected, Canada named three core Avalanche players to its roster. After the trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Devon Toews solidified their standing with Canada at the Four Nations tournament last year, they were a lock for the Olympic team. Much speculation about if one, or perhaps both, Avalanche goaltenders would join them but sadly both Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood were left off the list.
It remains to be seen if Toews’ recent upper-body injury impacts his Olympic availability, though currently he’s expected to return to action before the break. The defenseman also stated he’s not traveling overseas until the birth of his fourth child which is expected early in the month of February. Surely the national media will be on top of any developments.
United States 🇺🇸
It was up in the air earlier in the year but Brock Nelson just has too much history with Team USA to be left out. After a recent hot streak with the Avalanche that solidified the center’s role on the American’s squad. Nelson might be counted on more for depth scoring and penalty killing.
Sweden 🇸🇪
Gabe Landeskog had already been named to team Sweden in their initial announcement months ago. As one of the few players returning to the Olympics already having won a silver medal, he was an easy inclusion. The upper-body injury the Avalanche captain suffered on January 5th puts his availability in question but he has over a month to recover before the Olympic Games.
Finland 🇫🇮
Perhaps the biggest surprise was not one but two Avalanche representing Finland as both forwards Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Kiviranta were selected. Lehkonen’s big game resume should be a help to the Finns. Kiviranta is also currently nursing an injury but that didn’t stop the Finns from selecting him to play a depth role on the squad.
Czech Republic 🇨🇿
Another formality as Martin Nečas was named to the Czech Republic’s preliminary roster at the start of the season. But as expected he was part of the official announcement. Nečas will play a big role for the Czechs and tasked with bringing an offensive punch.
There you have it, eight Colorado Avalanche will depart for Italy and hope to win gold on Sunday, February 22nd. It’s quite an honor as the last time NHL players attended the Olympics the Avalanche sent Matt Duchene, Gabe Landeskog, Paul Stastny and Semyon Varlamov to the festivities.
Category: General Sports
