Photo credit: NHL
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen and Elias Pettersson have landed a massive international opportunity following an announcement on Friday morning.
We’re a little over a month away from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, which is set to feature National Hockey League players for the first time since 2014.
Joining Canada, France and the United States in announcing their Winter Olympic rosters were Finland and Sweden, who unveiled theirs on social media earlier today, and it resulted in some great news for a pair of Vancouver Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks’ Kevin Lankinen & Elias Pettersson earn major international opportunity
In a post on social media on Friday morning, the Vancouver Canucks congratulated goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who was named as one of the three netminders for Finland’s Olympic roster, along with Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Buffalo Sabres.
“Lanks is heading to Milano!
Kevin Lankinen has been named to Finland’s 2026 Winter Olympic team! ” the Canucks said.
Elias Pettersson, who like Kevin Lankinen was at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, is also heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, marking his fourth tournament with Sweden at the senior men’s level.
“Elias Pettersson, Olympian.
Congratulations Petey on being named to Sweden’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics!” the Canucks said.
Pettersson, 27, had a rough go at the 4 Nations Face-Off, going point-less in three games, but in his two other appearances for the Swedish men’s national team at the 2018 & 2019 IIHF World Championship, he has 13 points in 13 games.
Elias Pettersson and Kevin Lankinen will be in the same group at the Olympics next month and will face off against each other on Friday, February 13th at 3:10 a.m. PT.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily