Winnipeg Jets forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Nino Niederreiter have been named to their respective national teams for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. The announcement was made on Monday, June 16, 2025, as the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the participating nations revealed the first six players selected for their preliminary rosters. This marks the return of NHL players to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
Nikolaj Ehlers, the dynamic winger for the Jets, will be representing Denmark. Ehlers, 29, has a wealth of international experience, having played for Denmark in five IIHF World Championships. He was instrumental in Denmark's surprising performance at the 2025 World Championship, where they upset Canada in the quarterfinals and finished fourth, their best result ever. Ehlers joined the team late after the Jets were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and made an immediate impact, scoring three goals in four games. He also played a key role in Denmark qualifying for both the 2022 and 2026 Olympics. Joining Ehlers on Team Denmark are fellow forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand (Tampa Bay Lightning), Lars Eller (Washington Capitals), and Jonas Rondbjerg (Vegas Golden Knights), as well as defenseman Jesper Jensen Aabo and goaltender Frederik Andersen (Carolina Hurricanes). Denmark will be competing in just their second Olympic men's ice hockey tournament, having debuted in 2022 where they reached the quarter-finals. In 2026, they will compete in Group C against Germany, Latvia, and the United States.
Nino Niederreiter, the experienced Swiss forward, will be representing Switzerland. This will be Niederreiter's second appearance at the Olympics, having previously played in four games at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Niederreiter, 32, has also represented Switzerland in nine IIHF World Championships, earning four silver medals. He has been a consistent presence for his country on the international stage. Joining Niederreiter on Team Switzerland are Kevin Fiala (Los Angeles Kings), Nico Hischier and Timo Meier (New Jersey Devils), Roman Josi (Nashville Predators), and Jonas Siegenthaler (New Jersey Devils).
The 2026 Winter Olympics men's ice hockey tournament will take place from February 11 to February 22, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The tournament will feature 12 teams, divided into three groups. Group A consists of Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, and France. Group B includes Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, and Italy. Group C comprises the United States, Germany, Latvia, and Denmark. The remaining Olympic rosters are expected to be announced by early January 2026.
