Germany has officially announced the first six players who will represent the nation at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. This announcement marks a significant step as the National Hockey League (NHL) players are set to participate in the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014, adding immense excitement among players, fans, and organizers alike.
The six players named to the preliminary roster are:
Leon Draisaitl (Forward, Edmonton Oilers): Draisaitl is one of the NHL's most dominant forces. The Cologne native has consistently been a top scorer in the league. His accolades include winning the Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Ted Lindsay Award in 2019-20. Since 2018-19, he stands second in NHL points, only trailing his teammate Connor McDavid. Draisaitl has represented Germany in multiple World Championships and earned a silver medal with Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Philipp Grubauer (Goaltender, Seattle Kraken): Grubauer brings a wealth of experience and a Stanley Cup title (with the Washington Capitals in 2018) to the team. He holds the record for the most all-time wins among German-born goalies. The Rosenheim native has played in several World Championships for Germany.
Lukas Reichel (Forward, Chicago Blackhawks): Reichel, a перспективен young player from Nuremberg, has been steadily developing his game in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks. He recently achieved a career-high in points.
Moritz Seider (Defenseman, Detroit Red Wings): Seider is a cornerstone on defense for the Detroit Red Wings.
Nico Sturm (Forward, San Jose Sharks): Sturm won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. The Augsburg native has represented Germany in several international tournaments, including the World Championships.
Tim Stützle (Forward, Ottawa Senators): Stützle is a dynamic and creative forward known for his playmaking abilities with the Ottawa Senators. He has gained international experience.
These first six selections offer a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, reflecting Germany's ambition to compete at the highest level. The team will be placed in Group C alongside the United States, Latvia, and Denmark. With the remaining roster spots to be filled later in the year, anticipation is building regarding the final composition of Team Germany.
Marty Walsh, the NHLPA Executive Director, emphasized the importance of NHL players returning to the Olympic Winter Games, highlighting it as a momentous return to Olympic competition. He noted that the players are enthusiastic about representing their countries on the global stage in Milan, building on the momentum from events like the Four Nations Face-Off.
The men's tournament is scheduled to take place from February 11 to 22, with the gold medal game on February 22. The primary venue for the event will be the new Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, which has a seating capacity of 14,000.
