France has officially announced its first six players who will represent the nation at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This announcement marks a significant step towards the highly anticipated games, where NHL players will participate for the first time since 2014. The men's ice hockey tournament is scheduled to take place from February 6 to 22, 2026.
The six players named to the preliminary roster are a mix of experienced veterans and promising talents, showcasing a blend of skill and leadership. The team includes forwards Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Alexandre Texier, and Jordann Perret, along with defensemen Yohann Auvitu, Jules Boscq, and Hugo Gallet.
- Pierre-Edouard Bellemare: The 40-year-old forward from Le Blanc-Mesnil boasts an impressive NHL career, having played 700 games, the most by any French-born player. He recorded 138 points (64 goals, 74 assists) in the NHL. Bellemare last played in the NHL in 2023-24 for the Seattle Kraken. This season, he played for HC Ajoie in the National League, Switzerland's top league, tallying 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 34 games. His extensive international experience includes 11 World Championship appearances, six Olympic qualifiers, and a silver medal at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey with Team Europe.
- Alexandre Texier: At 25 years old, Texier brings valuable NHL experience to the team. The Saint-Martin-d'Heres native has played 232 NHL games, amassing 90 points (40 goals, 50 assists) with the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues. Texier was drafted by Columbus in the second round (45th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. This season, he recorded 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 31 games for the St. Louis Blues. He has represented France in five World Championships and two Olympic qualifiers.
- Jordann Perret: The 30-year-old forward from Autrans has been a consistent performer on the international stage. He has played in eight World Championships and three Olympic qualifiers. Perret has spent the past six seasons with Mountfield HK in the Czech Extraliga, where he had 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 45 games this season. At the 2025 Worlds, he contributed four points (two goals, two assists) in six games for France.
- Yohann Auvitu: A 35-year-old defenseman from Ivry-sur-Seine, Auvitu brings NHL experience from his time with the New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers, where he played 58 games and recorded 13 points (five goals, eight assists). He last played in the NHL in 2017-18. For the past two seasons, Auvitu has played for HC Vitkovice Ridera in the Czech Extraliga. He has represented France in 10 World Championships and one Olympic qualifier.
- Jules Boscq: Boscq, a 23-year-old defenseman hailing from Bordeaux, is one of the younger players on the roster. He has represented France at the 2023 and 2025 World Championships. Boscq has spent the past two seasons playing professionally for Iowa in the ECHL
- Hugo Gallet: The 27-year-old defenseman from Amiens has been a mainstay for France in international competitions, representing his country in six World Championships, including as captain this year, and two Olympic qualifiers. Gallet had 20 points (three goals, four assists) in 49 games this season for Tappara of Liiga, the top professional league in Finland.
France is placed in Group A for the 2026 Winter Olympics, alongside Canada, Switzerland, and Czechia. The complete rosters for each team will be announced at the beginning of 2026.
