Center Sebastian Aho and goalie Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes can start making plans for the 2026 Olympics.
Aho was one of the first six players named Monday to Team Finland’s preliminary roster for the 2026 Winter Games, set for Milan, Italy, in February. Andersen was named to Denmark’s Olympic roster.
Advertisement
Team USA announced its first six later Monday and defensemen Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks were chosen for the initial roster. Not chosen: defenseman Jaccob Slavin of the Hurricanes, who could be added when the U.S. roster in finalized.
The Milan Cortina Olympics will have 12 teams competing, including host Italy, as NHL pros are allowed to participate for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games in Russia. The remainder of the team rosters will be announced — Team USA in early January.
Aho’s selection for the Olympics was expected. A three-time NHL All-Star, he represented Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off event this past season with teams from Finland, Canada, Sweden and the U.S. playing in Montreal and Boston.
Apr 12, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis (24) is congratulated by center Sebastian Aho (20) and defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) after his goal against the New York Rangers during the first period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Aho, 27, was joined at the 4 Nations tournament by Finnish center Mikko Rantanen, then a teammate with the Canes. Rantanen later was traded to the Dallas Stars but will rejoin Aho on the Olympic team as part of the first six on the Finnish roster.
Advertisement
Also in the international event were Slavin and forward Seth Jarvis. Slavin was considered the best American player in the event by some observers, and Jarvis came away with a gold medal as Canada topped Team USA in overtime in the championship.
Andersen’s selection also was expected. The veteran goalie, 35, won three games for Denmark in an Olympic qualification event last season. Andersen stopped 60 of 64 shots as Team Denmark beat Great Britain, Japan and Norway to advance the Olympics for the second time in Denmark’s men’s hockey history.
Former Hurricanes forward Martin Necas has been named to Czechia’s Olympic team. Necas was traded to the Colorado Avalanche last season in the mega deal that brought Rantanen from the Avs to the Canes.
Another former Canes forward, Nino Niederreiter, was named to Team Switzerland.
Advertisement
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has banned Russia from world competition in 2025-26. Among the Canes hopeful of being in the Olympics were such players as forward Andrei Svechnikov and defensemen Dmitry Orlov and Alexander Nikishin.
Aho has represented Finland in several international competitions, both as a junior player and then in the NHL. He played in three World Championships for the Finns and at age 19 competed in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, which was held in Toronto in September before the start of the 2016-17 season.
The NHL did not allow players to go to the 2018 Olympics in South Korea, citing a disruption to the regular-season schedule and insurance and travel costs. It was not a decision that was well-received by NHL players.
“It has been a dream for me and I think for every Finnish kid,” Aho said in 2017. “Hopefully I will one day play in the Olympics.”
The 2026 Olympics are scheduled Feb. 6-Feb. 22 in Milan. The men’s hockey competition will be Feb. 11-22 at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and Milano Rho Arena.