NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Men’s hockey begins February 11 at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The Nashville Predators will have five representatives participating for their respective countries.
Goalie Juuse Saros and forward Erik Haula are on the team for Finland. Captain Roman Josi will play for Switzerland. Predators head trainer, Dr. Kevin Morley, will be on the staff for Team USA and Filip Forsberg will suit up for his native Sweden.
“It’s obviously something I’ve been looking forward to as long as I’ve known hockey, as it is, and growing up watching Sweden play in the Olympics,” said Forsberg.
“It’s a dream that I’ve had and couldn’t be more excited.”
Filip Forsberg expects to be a little emotional when he hits the ice in Italy and hears that Swedish anthem.
This is the first time in 12 years that NHL players will be participating in the Olympics.
The league, its union and the International Olympic Committee finally worked out their differences.
But it took three Olympic cycles to get there.
“It’s obviously something that has hurt. It stung,” said Forsberg.
“You missed opportunities that you probably would’ve been on the team. But, at the same time, it makes it more exciting for this one.”
“NHL players have been pushing for a while now to go back and it’s a special event,” said Josi.
“I think it’s the Olympics. You should have the best of the best there.
Predators captain Roman Josi is the only one of this bunch from Nashville who does have Olympic experience. He played for Switzerland in the 2014 games in Sochi.
“I mean, the games were awesome. Just putting that Swiss jersey on for the Olympics was pretty special. Unfortunately, we lost before the quarterfinals.”
Kevin Morley has a different perspective.
The Predators trainer for the last five years will have a similar role with Team USA.
“Whether that’s amino therapies or soft tissue treatments or whatever kind of shows up, that’s what we deal with,” said Morley.
“I’m approaching it as both exciting and fun. But, this is also an opportunity to do what I do and help the team as much as I can.”
And that’s really the sentiment from all of the Smashville representatives who are participating in the 12-team tournament.
“I think we know who the favorites are,” said Josi.
“There’s Canada, the US, Sweden, and Finland. There are so many good teams. I think anything is possible, but it’s gonna be obviously really hard.”
“You play for Sweden, every time you put that sweater on, you’re trying to win,” said Forsberg. We do play Finland in the round-robin, so that’ll be special playing Juuse (Saros) and (Erik) Haula. But, it’s obviously really cool for all four of us.”
“Everybody is there for a reason. To be a part of it, the honor and gravity of that is not lost on me in any way,” added Morley.
The NHL will have its players in the 2030 games, too.
And it’s a good bet Forsberg will get the call again.
But, for Josi, he knows this could be it.
“I’m 35, so this might be my last Olympics. I think in 2014, you’re so young you go over there and play and you don’t appreciate it as much. I’m going to make sure I soak it all in and just enjoy it.”
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