As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, approach, excitement is building, especially with the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2014. For Washington Capitals fans, this year's tournament holds special significance, with several players potentially representing their countries. The men's ice hockey tournament will take place from February 11-22, 2026.
Capitals Representing on the World Stage
Capitals fans have extra reason to tune in, with alternate captain Tom Wilson and goaltender Logan Thompson selected to represent Team Canada. Martin Fehérváry will also be representing Slovakia. This marks the first time in franchise history that two Capitals players will represent Canada at the Olympics. Wilson's impressive season, with 19 goals and 18 assists in 38 games, along with his physical play, has earned him a key role on the Canadian team. Thompson's strong performance in goal has also made him a valuable asset for Canada.
Tournament Format
The men's tournament will feature 12 teams. Eight teams qualified based on their IIHF World Ranking, Italy automatically qualified as the host nation, and three additional teams qualified through qualifying tournaments. The teams are divided into three groups of four. Each team will play the other teams in their group once. The top team from each group, along with the highest-ranked second-place team, will advance directly to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams will compete in a qualification round to determine the final four quarterfinalists. From there, a standard knockout system will determine the semi-finalists, bronze medal game participants, and the gold medal game participants.
The groupings are as follows:
- Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
- Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
- Group C: United States, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Venues and Schedule
The ice hockey competitions will be held in Milan at two venues: the PalaItalia Santa Giulia and the Fiera Milano Rho. The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, a new facility built in southeast Milan, will be a primary venue for ice hockey and Para ice hockey, holding a seating capacity of 14,000. The Fiera Milano Rho, transformed from an exhibition center, will also host games.
The men's tournament begins on February 11, with the gold medal game scheduled for February 22.
Storylines to Watch
The return of NHL players injects a new level of excitement and talent into the Olympic tournament. After a long absence, seeing the world’s best players compete for their countries will be a major draw. Team Canada, with Capitals stars Wilson and Thompson, will be a team to watch. Also keep an eye on Team USA, and defending champions, Finland.
How to Watch
For fans in the United States, the games will be available on Peacock, with select games on USA Network. Check your local listings for specific game times and channels.
Other Capitals News
As the Olympic break approaches, the Capitals are looking to solidify their roster for the remainder of the season. With the NHL trade deadline on March 6, General Manager Chris Patrick may be looking to add a skilled winger to boost the team's offense. Pierre-Luc Dubois is expected to return from injury after the Olympic break. However, Connor McMichael is currently week-to-week due to an upper-body injury.
The 2026 Winter Olympics promises to be a thrilling event for hockey fans, especially those following the Washington Capitals. With NHL players back in the mix and Capitals players representing their countries, there will be plenty to cheer for.