The 2026 Winter Olympics have already been open in Milan, Italy for nearly a week. But for the men’s hockey competitors, the quest for gold begins on Wednesday.
It’s a short tournament, three games of preliminaries for each nation, then qualifiers and the quarterfinals, setting the stage for which teams will have a chance at winning gold.
Three players on the Philadelphia Flyers roster will have the opportunity to compete. Here’s your guide to watching the Flyers’ participants, and Team USA, compete in the Olympics.
Travis Sanheim
Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim returns to Team Canada’s lineup after being part of last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Sanheim is expected to be a in the lineup for the first game, playing on a pairing with Shea Theodore of the Vegas Golden Knights.
In addition to Sanheim, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet will be behind the bench as an assistant coach on Jon Cooper’s staff.
Team Canada Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 12 vs. Czechia – 10:40 AM
Friday, Feb. 13 vs. Switzerland – 3:10 PM
Sunday, Feb. 15 vs. France – 10:40 AM
Dan Vladar
Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar may not have even been on the radar for Team Czechia as recently as last offseason. But his strong play this season turned heads, not only to make the roster, but to earn the starting job over Lukas Dostal and Karel Vejmelka.
Team Czechia Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 12 vs. Canada – 10:40 AM
Friday, Feb. 13 vs. France – 10:40 AM
Sunday, Feb. 15 vs. Switzerland – 6:10 AM
Rasmus Ristolainen
Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has been a staple of Finnish national teams over the years, and that’s no different this year at the Olympics. Ristolainen is expected to play in a top-pairing role for Team Finland.
Team Finland Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 11 vs. Slovakia – 10:40 AM
Friday, Feb. 13 vs. Sweden – 6:10 AM
Saturday, Feb. 14 vs. Italy – 10:40 AM
Team USA
Team USA brings in a roster filled with NHL stars, notably Auston Matthews, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, and Jack and Quinn Hughes. They also carry plenty of goaltending depth, with reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck alongside Jeremy Swayman and Jake Oettinger.
Team USA Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 12 vs. Latvia – 3:10 PM
Saturday, Feb. 14 vs. Denmark – 3:10 PM
Sunday, Feb. 15 vs. Germany – 3:10 PM
Following the Preliminary Round, the Qualification Playoff will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The Quarterfinals will be the next day on Feb. 18.
The two Semifinal games will be played on Friday, Feb. 20. The winners will play for the gold medal on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 8:10 AM. The bronze medal will be awarded to the winner of a game on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2:10 PM.
Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.
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