{"id":142745,"date":"2026-02-04T01:29:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T01:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/142745\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T01:29:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T01:29:11","slug":"bolts-ready-to-send-large-contingent-to-olympic-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/142745\/","title":{"rendered":"Bolts ready to send large contingent to Olympic Games"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TAMPA, Fla. – Their home ice may soon fall nearly silent, but inside the Lightning<\/a> locker room the talk is becoming louder.<\/p>\n

“It’s probably just going to be some chirping,” said defenseman JJ Moser.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s going to be, ‘You guys suck. We’re going to totally dismantle you.'”<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

The backstory:<\/p>\n

Moser was one of 12 players and coaches from the Lightning that were originally selected to represent their home countries in the 2026 Winter Olympics<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That trash talk between teammates, however, will soon turn into radio silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s fun now, but in a couple of days I won’t be talking to this guy,” said Bolts and Team USA forward Jake Guentzel, looking over at Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED: Tampa Bay Lightning players named to 2026 Winter Olympics rosters<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

By the numbers:<\/p>\n

Though these Lightning players and coaches spend 82 games playing with each other, they’ll spend the next two weeks playing against one another for a gold medal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I know the guys are looking forward to it,” said head coach Jon Cooper, who is reprising his role as Team Canada’s head coach in Italy.<\/p>\n

“Is there some banter in the room? I heard some stuff on the ice today. It’s funny stuff that goes on.”<\/p>\n

READ: Most searched Super Bowl snacks in each state – See the list<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Only soon no one will be laughing when Cooper and 10 players from the organization fight to represent eight countries at the Winter Games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The original number stood at 12 Lightning Olympians before forward Anthony Cirelli was replaced on Canada’s roster due to injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n

READ: Tampa Bay Lightning practice inside Raymond James Stadium ahead of Stadium Series<\/a><\/p>\n

Still, the sheer number of players the Bolts have going to Milan is something special.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That’s pretty spectacular and a pretty special moment for everyone,” Hagel said.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

That, however, doesn’t distract these teammates from keeping their eyes on the ultimate Olympic goal.<\/p>\n

“It sucks, obviously, that Jake (Guentzel) isn’t on my side, but best of luck to him,” Hagel said with a wink.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While those well wishes between friends and teammates come with a sarcastic smile or wink now, there isn’t a player inside the Bolts’ dressing room going to Italy that doesn’t feel like a kid again.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After all, the last time NHL players were able to compete at the Olympics was in 2014, which means a lot of these players were kids.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

What they’re saying:<\/p>\n

“Most of, or a lot of, these players were just young kids. It’s got to be a dream come true for them and everyone is excited,” Cooper said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It is a dream 12 years in the making that has now turned into a reality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We turn the page and start representing our countries and will be against each other for a few weeks,” said Lightning and Team Sweden defenseman Victor Hedman.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But it is also a dream that has now turned teammates into, albeit briefly, rivals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Sean Barie while on assignment at several Tampa Bay Lightning media availabilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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