The Big Winners<\/p>\n
There are scores of former NHL players who went to multiple Olympic Games and came home empty-handed. To go multiple times \u2013 showing your value and importance to your country\u2019s team \u2013 and bring back multiple medals shows how special the experience can be.<\/p>\n
Dominik Hasek\/Jaroslav Spacek, Czech Republic (1998, 2006) \u2013 When NHL players debuted in the Olympics in 1998, the United States and Canada were the big favorites. Neither would reach the podium, however.<\/p>\n
The Czechs shocked the world by taking gold on the biggest stage. Spacek played a top four role for the Czech defense, though he didn\u2019t have a point during the tournament. It was Hasek, however, who was the difference-maker. The reigning Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP was dominant in the tournament, allowing just a single goal in the semifinals and gold medal game.<\/p>\n
The duo would return once again with the Czech Olympic team in 2006, the swan song for them internationally. Though it didn\u2019t have the same underdog result, both had to be pleased to return with a bronze medal.<\/p>\n
Alexei Zhitnik\/Andrei Trefilov , Unified Team\/Russia (1992, 1998) \u2013 The Unified Team came in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, but the remnants of the international power remained strong on the ice, resulting in gold at the 1992 in Albertville.<\/p>\n
The duo would return with Team Russia for the 1998 installment. Zhitnik served in a top four role for the Russian defense, contributing a pair of assists. Trefilov, meanwhile, backed up Mikhail Shtalenkov, earning a win in two appearances as Russia ultimately fell to the Hasek-led Czechs in the gold medal game.<\/p>\n
The Gold Medal Club<\/p>\n
The ultimate goal when making the Olympic hockey team is to capture a gold medal. In addition to Hasek, Spacek, Zhitnik, and Trefilov, just six other Sabres have managed to get the gold medal draped around their necks.<\/p>\n
Related: Buffalo Sabres Fan Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics<\/a><\/p>\n Mike Ramsey\/Rob MClanahan, USA 1980 \u2013 The most famous gold medal win in the history of the sport and there were a pair of future Sabres on the roster. Both played their role in the win, what many call the greatest upset in sports history over the Soviet Union in the semifinal before toppling the Finns for gold.<\/p>\n Alexander Mogilny, Soviet Union 1988 \u2013 Just before making the scary and dangerous jump to the NHL, Mogilny was helping the Soviet team to yet another gold medal. As one of the youngest members of the team (18 years old), Mogilny played sparingly but added five points in six games.<\/p>\n Yuri Khmylev, Unified Team 1992 \u2013 The final installment of the non-Russian teams, the Unified Team was the last gasp of the Soviet dynasty. The Unified Team captured gold in Albertville with Khmylev playing a big role by contributing 10 points in eight games to finish third on the team in scoring.<\/p>\n Petr Svoboda, Czech Republic 1998 \u2013 A third Sabre from that surprise Czech group was there, though his role was more of a veteran support role. He chipped in with a goal and an assist, not to mention solid defensive play, en route to the gold medal victory.<\/p>\n Eric Staal, Canada 2022 \u2013 The 2022 edition was a bit different seeing as how the NHL stopped sending their best after the 2014 Games. That said, the Canadian roster featured a mix of known former and future NHLers, 500-goalscorer Staal among them. At 37 years old, Staal chipped in four points in five games to help Canada capture the gold.<\/p>\n Teppo Numminen \u2013 3x Medal-Winner<\/p>\n When talking about solid, understated careers, Teppo Numminen\u2019s face could be on the poster. After all, he logged 20 NHL seasons, amassing 637 points in 1,372 career games. He also appeared in four Olympics as a stalwart for the Finnish defense.<\/p>\n Numminen helped the 1988 group capture silver and returned with the NHLers in 1998 to represent his country in three more Games. He would help the 1998 group capture bronze in Nagano before finishing with his second silver in the 2006 Turin Games.<\/p>\n Single Medal Winners<\/p>\n Winning a medal at the Olympics is no small feat. These former Sabres all managed to add an Olympic medal to their collections:<\/p>\n Ryan Miller \u2013 USA 2010 (silver)<\/p>\n Henrik Tallinder \u2013 Sweden 2014 (silver)<\/p>\n Patrik Berglund \u2013 Sweden 2014 (silver)<\/p>\n Marcus Johasson \u2013 Sweden 2014 (silver)<\/p>\n Christian Ehrhoff \u2013 Germany 2018 (silver)<\/p>\n Dave Hannan \u2013 Canada 1992 (silver)<\/p>\n Joe Juneau \u2013 Canada 1992 (silver)<\/p>\n Jason Wooley \u2013 Canada 1992 (silver)<\/p>\n Maxim Afinogenov \u2013 Russia 2002 (bronze)<\/p>\n Ales Kotalik \u2013 Czech Republic 2006 (bronze)<\/p>\n Can Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin Add to the List?<\/p>\n The Sabres are already off to a hot start at the Olympics<\/a> despite the news that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen would miss the Games due to injury<\/a>. The Swedes have historically been a contender, but it is the Americans \u2013 and their Canadian rivals \u2013 that most feel will be the biggest threats for gold. Imagine if Dahlin or Thompson brough a gold medal back into the locker room to ignite the playoff push.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>![\"1980](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1980-USA-Olympics-1200x819.jpg\")
LAKE PLACID, NY \u2013 FEBRUARY 22: Team USA celebrates after defeating the Soviet Union to advance to the Gold Medal game during the 1980 Olympic Games on February 22, 1980 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by B Bennett\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"SUBSCRIBE](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sabres_Banner-1200x122.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n