The 2026 Winter Olympics are underway, and for the first time in 12 years, NHL players are able to participate. Minnesota has sent quite a few Olympians over the years, including 12 members of Team USA from 1980, the last team from the United States to win gold in men’s hockey. This season, the Minnesota Wild have three players on Team USA, as well as one on Germany, and four on Team Sweden.Â
While these players are away at the Olympics, many of their teammates are taking vacations, spending time with loved ones, and just taking a break from the everyday grind of the NHL. However, for those who want their hockey fix, here’s a schedule for watching your favorite Wild players compete for their respective countries, with all times listed in Central Standard Time.Â
Team USA
Brock FaberÂ
For kids growing up in Minnesota, players like Brock Faber are who they want to be when they grow up. He played youth, high school, college, and professional hockey all in his home state, and now he’s playing for Team USA. He represented the United States in last season’s 4 Nations Faceoff, and now he’ll make his first appearance in the Olympics.Â
He had a little bit of a slow start in terms of offensive production this season for the Wild, but he’s had little spurts of points here and there. Regardless of his offensive contributions, his defense is the most important, and he’s done well, leading the team with 119 blocked shots. Team USA will need both sides of his game, and hopefully, he’ll bring some of his Wild success along with him.Â
Quinn HughesÂ
While Faber is one of the Wild’s top defensemen, his game has reached another level that everyone knew he had, thanks to his defensive partner, Quinn Hughes. It’s been just about two months since the Wild made the monumental trade for Hughes, and they’ve benefited greatly from it. Their game has had some more risk involved thanks to him, but that comes with the territory.Â
Since joining the Wild, Hughes has scored three goals and assisted on 31 others for 34 points in 26 games played. He’s also contributed four hits and 27 blocked shots, plus the Wild’s breakout has improved significantly since he joined. He’ll be a crucial part of Team USA, and it will be fun to see him play alongside the country’s best.Â
Matt Boldy
That leaves Matt Boldy as the final Wild player on Team USA, and it’s a great time for him to go, as he’s been on a major scoring spree. For a very short time last season, many wondered if Boldy would do enough to make it onto Team USA, but that changed very quickly. He’s always been a skilled player, but his game has taken a dramatic step forward this season, and the Wild have reaped the rewards.Â
Right before the Olympics, he scored a hat trick and was on a seven-game point streak. He’s registered 32 goals and 30 assists for 62 points, just 11 shy of his career-high 73 the season prior. His offensive game has been on fire, but his defense hasn’t been ignored either, as he has 33 blocked shots and 40 hits. Team USA will need his scoring to keep going if they hope to play for gold, and with his success rate, they’re lucky to have him.Â
When to Watch Team USAÂ
February 12: Latvia vs United States, 2:10 p.m.Â
February 14: United States vs Denmark, 2:10 p.m.Â
February 15: United States vs Germany, 2:10 p.m.Â
Team SwedenÂ
Joel Eriksson Ek
It was no shock that Joel Eriksson Ek made Team Sweden. However, many Wild fans will likely watch the games a bit nervously as he’s been injured this season, including a recent injury before the break, and they need him when it comes to the postseason. He’s one of the best two-way centers in the league, and his net front presence is crucial to the Wild’s play.Â
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek celebrates a goal with left wing Matt Boldy after scoring (Matt Blewett-Imagn Images)
He’s played in 52 games this season and recorded 15 goals plus 25 assists for 40 points. It doesn’t seem like he’s produced that much this season, but that’s because a lot of his game is behind the scenes. He works defensively, and he gets beaten up in front of the net more than any player in the NHL, it seems. All of this will be crucial to Sweden’s game, and it’ll be interesting to see how he fits in on that roster compared to the Wild.Â
Marcus Johansson
He wasn’t on the original roster, but when Jonas Brodin was injured and announced he would miss the Olympics, Marcus Johansson was put onto the roster. He’s had a strong season, and although he’s older, he’s not slowing down. He put up decent numbers last season, enough to impress the Wild’s front office to sign him to one more year.Â
This season, he’s stepped up his game and has already beaten last season’s points total in fewer games played. He’s scored 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points in 53 games, and he’s made a solid second-line winger alongside Eriksson Ek and Boldy. It’s a bummer Brodin has to miss out on what could be his only chance at the Olympics, but it’s also nice his teammate, Johansson, gets a shot to show what he can do on the world stage.Â
Filip GustavssonÂ
It’s pretty impressive when a team has their goaltender selected for the Olympics but the Wild had both of their goaltenders chosen, and it truly shows how talented their tandem is. Filip Gustavsson has worked hard to maintain a strong game this season, especially on the mental side of things, and he’s helped the Wild hold a top spot in the league for a good chunk of the season.
He’s played in 36 games this season and has a record of 20-9-6, plus three shutouts, an assist, and he’s done his best to help his team get the win even when they give up a strong lead. While he’s had his fair share of struggles, he’s bounced right back, and it’s easy to see why Team Sweden picked him as one of their goaltenders.Â
Jesper WallstedtÂ
As well as Gustavsson has played, his goaltending partner, Jesper Wallstedt, has stepped up to match it. He’s had some struggles, as any rookie would, but he’s managed to find a way to get through it without hurting his team. Of course, there are goals he wants back, but his team has also jumped up to help him when he’s having a rough night.Â
He’s played in 23 games this season, and his record is 14-5-4 with an impressive four shutouts plus an assist and a penalty. He’s impressed everyone, and the Wild have regularly rotated the two goaltenders rather than having a starter and backup. It’ll be interesting to see how Team Sweden elects to use their goaltenders, if they’ll rotate or go with a starter, but regardless of what way they go, they’ll be ready in the goaltending department.Â
When to Watch Team SwedenÂ
February 11: Sweden vs Italy, 2:10 p.m.Â
February 13: Finland vs Sweden, 5:10 a.m.
February 14: Sweden vs Slovakia, 5:10 a.m.
Team GermanyÂ
Nico SturmÂ
Both Team USA and Sweden have multiple Wild players representing them; Team Germany has just one in Nico Sturm. He’s bounced around the NHL a little bit, but his faceoff skills are crucial to the Wild, as is his penalty kill. He’s made a home on the fourth line, and while they’re known for their physicality, he’s brought his skills to that line as well.Â
Related: Wild’s Nico Sturm Talks Faceoffs, Being a Student of the Game & More
He missed a good chunk of the season to start as he injured his back during training camp, but he’s doing his best to catch up. He’s played 35 games and registered three goals plus six assists for nine points. It’ll be fun to see him with Germany’s best, which includes Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stützle.
When to Watch Team GermanyÂ
February 12: Germany vs Denmark, 2:10 p.m.
February 14: Germany vs Latvia, 5:10 a.m.
February 15: United States vs Germany, 2:10 p.m.Â
Since the 4 Nations Faceoff last season, everyone’s been eagerly awaiting the Olympics. It’ll be fun to see the Wild players representing their respective countries and who will bring home the gold.Â
Be sure to keep your eye on The Hockey Writers all throughout the Olympic hockey tournament for continuing coverage of your favorite players and teams.
