Pietroniro will go up against Mika Zibanejad, Lucas Raymond, Adrian Kempe and other stars when Italy plays its first game against Team Sweden on Wednesday (3:10 p.m. ET; Peacock, USA, ICI TOU.TV, CBC Gem, SN, RDS).
“There are nerves, but I want to approach the game the same way,” he said following the morning skate. “When I hit the ice, I’m going to feel so, so good. I don’t even know how to describe it. It’ll be great.
“That’s the peak of my career. For me, the Olympics is the realization of a dream. I’m representing Italy and proud to do so. It’s a crazy experience, once in a lifetime.”
Pietroniro is in his second season with Rytiri Kladno in Czechia. His head coach is Tomas Plekanec, an assistant with Team Czechia. Jaromir Jagr is one of his teammates with the 53-year-old forward playing six games this season.
“I can’t describe Jagr in just one word,” Pietroniro said, “but if I had to choose, I’d say ‘legend.’ He’s still playing hockey past 50. He’s a great guy who loves the game so much. I’m very lucky, I can say that he’s one of my teammates.
“And I really love ‘Pleky’ (Plekanec). We’re playing better hockey since he became coach (at the end of December). Right now, we’re just three points out of a playoff spot.”
Even before his Czech excursion, before his wild hockey career took off, Pietroniro had already crossed paths with another player at the 2026 Olympics: Team USA captain Auston Matthews.
“I know Matthews; he played with Matteo, one of my little brothers, in Arizona,” he said. “We used to live there, so I’ve already skated with Auston in the summer in Arizona, but that was many years ago.”
For the moment, Pietroniro and Matthews are not expected to cross paths on the ice. Italy plays in a difficult Group B with Sweden, Team Finland and Team Slovakia, whereas the United States plays in Group C. He still hopes to see his old skating buddy once again, many years and many, many miles later.
“I’m looking forward to running into him in the athletes’ village,” he said. “I’ve promised myself that I’d go say hi.”