{"id":454465,"date":"2026-02-11T15:22:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T15:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/454465\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T15:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T15:22:15","slug":"a-dallas-stars-fans-guide-to-the-2026-winter-olympics-the-hockey-writers-dallas-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/454465\/","title":{"rendered":"A Dallas Stars Fan’s Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics – The Hockey Writers – Dallas Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dallas Stars<\/a> entered the Olympic break last week with a 34-14-9 record, winning seven of their last 10, including six in a row. After a tough start to 2026, the Stars have since been playing some of their best hockey of the season, despite some tough third periods, which makes the timing of this break less than ideal. At the same time, however, the schedule has been rigorous. The vibes are high coming into this break, and it might be just what this team needs to rest and reset before an intense finish to the season.<\/p>\n

Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men\u2019s Hockey Tournament<\/a><\/p>\n

Not everyone gets to rest, though. The Stars are sending seven players to the 2026 Winter Olympics, spanning four countries. If you\u2019re an American, I understand if you find it hard to root for Thomas Harley and Team Canada. However, with four members of the Stars representing Finland, I feel like the entire state of Texas will be turning into honorary Finns for the next three weeks. <\/p>\n

Here is a breakdown of every player and when they will be playing. I get it, go USA, but don\u2019t feel unpatriotic if you find yourself rooting for your boys until they play the red, white, and blue.<\/p>\n

Team USA<\/p>\n

Jake Oettinger<\/p>\n

Out of all of the Stars going to Milano-Cortina, Jake Oettinger <\/a>is probably the one that has garnered the most discussion and debate. Not because we didn\u2019t know if he would be on the team, or because he doesn\u2019t deserve it. We did, and he does. But because he is one of three netminders representing the United States (Connor Hellebuyck and Jeremy Swayman are the others), and the No. 1 goalie isn\u2019t as clear-cut as it once was.<\/p>\n

Hellebuyck started at last year\u2019s 4 Nations Face-Off, but between battling injuries this season and not having the Vezina-caliber campaign that we are used to, the door was wide open for Oettinger to take the starting role. At the beginning of the season, it seemed like he would be the obvious choice to start if they did pivot from Hellebuyck.<\/p>\n

\"JakeJake Oettinger, Team USA (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

While he\u2019s had a decent season<\/a>, 23-10-4 with a .897 save percentage (SV%), a 2.73 goals-against average (GAA), and fourth in the NHL in wins, Oettinger hasn\u2019t been as sharp as he would like, leaving the opportunity to start wide open for anyone. While Oettinger has the pedigree, both in the regular season and playoffs, Swayman has had a terrific season and has as good a shot as anyone to start in Italy.<\/p>\n

Make no mistake, Oettinger is one of the best goaltenders in the world. All I\u2019m saying is that competition between the pipes for Team USA is alive and well, and no one goalie is guaranteed a start, let alone to be the starter.<\/p>\n

Oettinger doesn\u2019t have a ton of international experience as far as games played, but when his number has been called upon, he has been phenomenal. In 10 games in junior tournaments, he was 8-1-0 with a 2.14 GAA and a .927 SV%, winning two golds, two bronze, and one silver along the way. In senior tournaments, he is 3-1-0 with a 1.55 GAA and a .929 SV%, and won bronze at the 2021 World Championship.<\/p>\n

Before the Team USA roster was announced in December, Oettinger was asked about his desire to play for his country in the Olympics<\/a>, and it makes you think of a kid who\u2019s dreaming big.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be the coolest thing I\u2019ve ever done.\u201d<\/p>\n

When to Watch Jake Oettinger and Team USA<\/p>\n

Feb. 12: Latvia vs United States, 3:10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 14: United States vs Denmark, 3:10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 15: United States vs Germany, 3:10 p.m.<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

Team Canada<\/p>\n

Thomas Harley<\/p>\n

Last February, Harley<\/a> was a mid-tournament addition to the 4 Nations Face-Off due to an injury to Shea Theodore. Before then, there\u2019s no doubt that Harley was a beloved player in Dallas, but I think it\u2019s fair to say he was largely underrated when it came to fans across the league. Playing in a market like Texas will do that to you unfortunately, but Harley has made more than a name for himself since last February.<\/p>\n

Harley said as much this past October.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 4 Nations was pretty cool,\u201d Harley said of the tournament<\/a>. \u201cI think it was eye-opening for me that I could play at that level and eye-opening for the rest of the world, like, \u2018who\u2019s this kid from Dallas?\u2019 It was great for me and it definitely gives me a leg up on this (Olympic) team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ThomasThomas Harley, Team Canada (Winslow Townson-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

After breaking out offensively in his first two full seasons, Harley\u2019s injury earlier in the season has slowed down his numbers in 2025-26. However, after only six points in 17 games through November and December, Harley had seven points in 15 games in January, and two points in two games in February and seems to be back to his 2024-25 form.<\/p>\n

Harley does not have a ton of international experience, which should make all of you Stars fans super proud that he has been given the nod so early in his career. In 19 games in junior tournaments, Harley had two goals and five points, and helped bring home the silver medal in the 2021 World Junior Championship. In last year\u2019s 4 Nations Face-Off, Harley had one assist, which was in the tournament-winning game against the Americans.<\/p>\n

Harley was born and raised in Syracuse, New York, but his parents and family were Canadian. He holds his Canadian heritage very closely and is very honored to represent Canada at the Olympics in front of his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to another chance to wear the maple leaf,\u201d said Harley<\/a>. \u201cAnd I am also looking forward to playing in front of my grandmother, who is a very proud Canadian.\u201d<\/p>\n

When to Watch Harley and Team Canada<\/p>\n

Feb. 12: Czechia vs Canada, 10:40 a.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 13: Canada vs Switzerland, 3:10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 15: Canada vs France, 10:40 a.m.<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

Team Czechia<\/p>\n

Radek Faksa<\/p>\n

We all know about Oettinger, Harley, and the plethora of Finns that we will be talking about later. However, the most underrated addition to an Olympic roster is Radek Faksa<\/a>, who will be playing for the equally underrated Team Czechia. <\/p>\n

After spending the first nine years of his career in Dallas, Faksa joined the St. Louis Blues for the 2024-25 season, only to rejoin the Stars ahead of this season. He has two goals and 17 points in 56 games. While the Stars would love to see a bit more offense from him, he has been a stable addition to the bottom-six, which is probably where he will find himself in Italy.<\/p>\n

This should be the final selection from Dallas, barring injury replacements. <\/p>\n

Dallas Stars Olympians: <\/p>\n

\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddee Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Roope Hintz<\/p>\n

\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Jake Oettinger<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 Thomas Harley<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddff Radek Faksa https:\/\/t.co\/uLob33PuPK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sam Nestler (@samnestler) January 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Faksa played international hockey on some level from 2011-2019, but hasn\u2019t dressed in his country\u2019s colors since then. In junior tournaments, Faksa had three goals and five points in 23 games. In senior tournaments, he has one goal and seven points in 19 games.<\/p>\n

In the eyes of many, Team Czechia is the underdog that can be a thorn in the side of all of the top teams in the tournament. Faksa feels that way, too. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are not favorites, that\u2019s clear,\u201d Faksa said<\/a>. \u201cBut I think we have a lot of good hockey players, even those who play in Europe. I believe that if it fits, we have a chance against everyone.\u201d <\/p>\n

When to Watch Faksa and Team Czechia<\/p>\n

Feb. 12: Czechia vs Canada, 10:40 a.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 13: France vs Czechia, 10:40 a.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 15: Switzerland vs Czechia, 6:10 a.m.<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

Team Finland<\/p>\n

Finally, the moment we\u2019ve all been waiting for. The history of Finnish players in Dallas is something that both the franchise and the players are very proud of, and it\u2019s really cool that four of them will be making the trip. Funny enough, Team Finland general manager, Jere Lehtinen, was a Star for his entire career.<\/p>\n

Mikko Rantanen<\/p>\n

Mikko Rantanen<\/a> is the newest member of the \u201cFinnish Mafia\u201d in Dallas and will join the rest of the gang in Italy. The 29-year-old has 20 goals and 69 points in 54 games this season, which is his first full season in Dallas after being traded from the Carolina Hurricanes last March.<\/p>\n

As expected, Rantanen will be wearing the \u201cA\u201d in his first go around at the Olympics, and is currently projected to be on Roope Hintz\u2019s wing opposite Mikael Granlund, who was named captain. Considering this was a dominant line at the end of last season and into the playoffs, it\u2019s safe to assume that chemistry will not take long to find.<\/p>\n

In junior tournaments, Rantanen had 14 goals and 28 points in 26 games. In senior tournaments, he has 10 goals and 32 points in 34 games.<\/p>\n

In an interview with Sharks Hockey Digest before his Stars played the San Jose Sharks back in December, Rantanen expressed his excitement to represent his country. <\/p>\n

\u201cDream come true. Those are games, especially in Finland, you always watched,\u201d Rantanen said<\/a>. \u201cI remember watching growing up, Team Finland was a really big deal. It will be a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miro Heiskanen<\/p>\n

Miro Heiskanen<\/a> is a rare returnee to the Olympics, as he played for Team Finland in 2018 before he was drafted into the NHL.<\/p>\n

After having a down season in 2024-25, mostly due to injuries, Heiskanen has seven goals and 46 points in 55 games this season and has quickly returned to form as one of the best defensemen in the NHL. <\/p>\n

In junior tournaments, Heiskanen had two goals and 20 points in 30 games. In senior tournaments, he has two goals and 10 points in 19 games, and helped bring home the gold at the 2022 World Championship.<\/p>\n

At the European media tour in August, Heiskanen was asked about having his fellow Stars with him on Team Finland. <\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, it helps a lot,\u201d Heiskanen said<\/a>. \u201cWe have played together \u2013 especially Roope (Hintz) and Esa (Lindell) \u2013 for a long time, now with Mikko too. It\u2019s easier to have someone with you all the time and to get there (to the Olympics) together and play there.\u201d <\/p>\n

Esa Lindell<\/p>\n

Esa Lindell<\/a> is the backbone of the Dallas defense and their penalty kill, and will no doubt have the same responsibility for Team Finland. He is projected to be on the top pairing alongside Heiskanen.<\/p>\n

So far this season, Lindell has five goals and 22 points, putting him 10 points behind his career high. <\/p>\n

In junior tournaments, Lindell has three goals and 12 points in 19 games. In senior tournaments, he has the same stats in 28 games.<\/p>\n

When asked about going to the Olympics, it is obvious that this experience will not be lost on him. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere are lists of athletes who have gone to the Olympics that (it\u2019s like they) won the lottery,\u201d Lindell said<\/a>. \u201cSo that\u2019s kind of stuck in my mind, how small of a percentage it is back home. It shows how unique it is and kind of a rare opportunity to go.\u201d <\/p>\n

Roope Hintz<\/p>\n

I feel like I\u2019ve said this a lot, but Roope Hintz<\/a> may be one of the most underrated centermen in the NHL, yet year after year, he is as steady and consistent as they come. Hintz has 15 goals and 44 points so far this season.<\/p>\n

Internationally, Hintz does not have a lot of experience, other than two World Junior Championships in 2015 and 2016 and the 4 Nations Face-Off last season. At the World Juniors, Hintz had three goals and six points in 12 games and won the gold in 2016.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to be announced to the team,\u201d Hintz said<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the biggest things you can do is play for your country in a sport you love to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

When to Watch the Finnish Mafia<\/p>\n

Feb. 11: Slovakia vs Finland, 10:40 a.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 13: Finland vs Sweden, 6:10 a.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 14: Finland vs Italy, 10:40 a.m.<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Going to Be a Wild Ride<\/p>\n

Well, there you have it. There might not be any NHL hockey, but the Stars are so well represented that you won\u2019t even notice they\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n

The Stars are back in action on Feb. 25 against the Seattle Kraken<\/a> at the American Airlines Center.<\/p>\n

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