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NHL Stars React to Olympic Return
After 12 years, NHL players will finally make their long-awaited return to the Olympics. Some of the biggest stars in the league will take the ice at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
For some, it is a milestone moment, while for others, it represents one last chance to capture an Olympic medal. Last year’s NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament offered fans a glimpse of what they can expect, and it delivered.
Now, the top players in the world, including Sidney Crosby, Lucas Raymond, and Victor Hedman, will represent their countries on the world stage, vying for Olympics glory.
NHL Stars Discuss Significance of Participating at 2026 Winter Olympics
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is no stranger to how an Olympic moment can become immortalized by a nation. Crosby scored the overtime-winning goal against the United States in 2010, to win the gold medal for Canada on home ice.
Now a veteran nearing the final years of his career, Crosby shared his thoughts on returning for his third Olympics. He compared the honor of winning gold to hoisting the Stanley Cup with the Penguins.
“I have it right up there with playing in the Stanley Cup finals. It’s a different experience as far as it’s a short-term event, but it’s something that we all dream of being a part of,” Crosby said in a video uploaded to the Olympics’ YouTube channel. “I think I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be able to do it again and would love to be able to win again.”
Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond, playing in his first Olympics, emphasized the significance of representing Sweden on the world stage.
“It’s just a huge honor obviously for your country,” Raymond said. “If not the, one of the biggest things you can compete in as an athlete is the Olympics.”
Boston Bruins defensemen Charlie McAvoy echoed those sentiments and considers the Olympics the pinnacle of sports. McAvoy, who will represent Team USA, noted that it has been something he has dreamed about.
“I think the Olympics is as big as it gets in sports. It’s just going to be incredible. It’ll be a lifelong dream come true,” McAvoy said. “Everything from living in the village, to the games themselves, to the opening and closing ceremony, there’s just so many things that exist in the Olympics that don’t exist anywhere else that make it what it is, and make it as special as that.”
Victor Hedman Expresses Gratitude for First Olympic Experience
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman‘s path to the Olympics has been a long one, filled with plenty of uncertainty. He was in his rookie season in 2010 and wasn’t selected. Then in 2014, he was notably omitted from Sweden’s Olympic roster despite a strong season.
Now 35, Hedman is embracing the opportunity to represent Sweden and not taking it for granted. This could be his first and final Olympics, and aims to help Sweden capture gold.
“I’ll be 35 when the games start. So possibly this is my last kick at the can,” Hedman said. “It’s been a long time coming. This is kind of the last thing on my list that I wanted to accomplish. And yeah, it’s a dream come true for me.”
Sweden aims to capture gold for the first time since 2006, which also took place in Italy.
Giancarlo Aulino Giancarlo Aulino is sports writer who covers UFC for Heavy.com. He began writing for Heavy in 2025 after providing MMA coverage for Sportskeeda. Giancarlo is an experienced journalist and interviewer, having covered soccer clubs Toronto FC and Inter Toronto FC as a full-season reporter, and also producing sports coverage for Toronto radio station VIBE 105.5FM.
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