TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Five Tampa Bay Lightning players will be headed to Italy next year for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
On Monday, the 12 counties participating in the tournament announced the first six players on their preliminary rosters.
The Tampa Bay Lightning said the following players will represent their countries during the tournament:
- Victor Hedman – Sweden
- Brayden Point – Canada
- Erik Cernak – Slovakia
- Oliver Bjorkstrand – Denmark
- Zemgus Girgensons – Latvia
The NHL said the men’s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will begin Feb. 11.
The teams will play three preliminary games in their respective groups, then all 12 teams will move to a single-elimination playoff that concludes with the gold medal game on Feb. 22.
The games will be played at either the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena or the Rho Ice Hockey Arena in Milano, the NHL said.
Here is the full Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 men’s hockey schedule:
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Group B
Slovakia vs Finland, 10:40 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Sweden vs. Italy, 3:10 p.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Thursday, Feb. 12
Group A
Switzerland vs. France, 6:10 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Czechia vs. Canada, 10:40 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Group C
Latvia vs. United States, 3:10 p.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Germany vs. Denmark, 3:10 p.m. – Rho Arena
Friday, Feb. 13
Group B
Finland vs. Sweden, 6:10 a.m. — Santaguilia Arena
Italy vs. Slovakia, 6:10 a.m. — Rho Arena
Group A
France vs. Czechia, 10:40 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Canada vs. Switzerland, 3:10 p.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Saturday, Feb. 14
Group B
Sweden vs Slovakia, 6:10 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Finland vs. Italy, 10:40 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Group C
Germany vs. Latvia, 6:10 a.m. — Rho Arena
USA vs. Denmark, 3:10 p.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Sunday, Feb. 15
Group A
Switzerland vs. Czechia, 6:10 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Canada vs. France, 10:40 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Group C
USA vs. Germany, 3:10 p.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Denmark vs. Latvia, 3:10 p.m. — Rho Arena
Tuesday Feb. 17
Qualification playoff, 6:10 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Qualification playoff, 6:10 a.m. — Rho Arena
Qualification playoff, 10:40 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Qualification playoff, 3:10 p.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Quarterfinal — 6:10 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Quarterfinal, 8:10 a.m. — Rho Arena
Quarterfinal, 10:40 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Quarterfinal, 3:10 p.m — Santagiulia Arena
Friday, Feb. 20
Semifinal — 10:40 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Semifinal — 3:10 p.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Saturday, Feb. 21
Bronze medal game — 2:40 p.m. — Santagiulia Arena
Sunday, Feb. 22
Gold medal game — 8:10 a.m. — Santagiulia Arena