Lucas Raymond has dreamed about the Olympic Games for years, and on Wednesday, the Olympic dream will officially become reality for the Detroit Red Wings forward.

Raymond and Sweden are facing host nation Italy in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament opener for both nations. The puck drops at 3:30 p.m. ET.

And Raymond can’t wait.

Lucas Raymond spotted in Italy for the Olympics as Sweden’s Hockey Team Arrived This Morning 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2WsOqaIBVq

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) February 8, 2026

“I mean, I think obviously there’s big hockey things that you could play in,” Raymond said. “I think with the Olympics, that’s something that’s one of the biggest, if not the biggest, to compete and be a part of as an athlete worldwide.

“So it’s a huge honor.”

That it only happens every four years, and that it didn’t happen for NHL players for the previous eight years, is only serving to heighten Raymond’s excitement level.

“I think not only for us players, but fans as well,” Raymond said. “Just how high a level of hockey it is when all the best come together and play against each other. In the Olympics and on a grander stage, I think that will amplify it. You want to be part of that, and you want to put yourself in spots like that.

“With all the best players coming, I think it’s going to attract a lot of people and a lot of eyes. So, you want to represent hockey in the best way possible as well.”

Red Wings Raymond Is Excited

As much as he’s pumped up to play, Raymond is also aware of how pressure-packed an Olympic tournament will be for everyone involved.

“It’s a short tournament, right?” Raymond said. “It’s one game, especially in the playoffs. So, the margins are really tight. I think what it comes down to is about being good on that day.

lucas raymond name pronunciation just dropped pic.twitter.com/KRAhiGfP1i

— steph (@LNW1NGS) February 10, 2026

“You’re coming together quickly as a team. It’s gonna be tough to really nail all the systems to a T. It’s gonna come down to a lot of mentality and maybe getting a couple bounces and good goaltending.”

The journey starts today for Raymond in Milano Cortina.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Raymond said. “Very excited. And, yeah, I can’t wait.”