The most prominent Latvia-born players to reach the NHL are defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, who helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 1996 and played 875 games in 15 NHL seasons, and goalie Arturs Irbe, who had 218 wins and 33 shutouts in 13 seasons.
On the eve of Team USA's debut in the men's hockey tournament, McAvoy chronicles his Olympic adventures for The Athletic.
Elvis Merzlikins, a star NHL goalie for the Columbus Blue Jackets, is set to represent Team Latvia at the Olympics. He faces a tough opener against Team USA. Merzlikins sees this as a significant personal challenge to showcase his skills on the world's biggest stage.
MILAN -- The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 men’s hockey tournament begins Wednesday when the 12 nations compete in three groups. Group A consists of Canada, Czechia, France and Switzerland. Finland, Italy, Sweden and Slovakia will play in Group B. Group C features Denmark, Germany, Latvia and the United States.
NHL players are returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014. Here are the rosters and schedule, plus how to watch:
Take a look at the complete 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey schedule for Team USA and others.
Day 5 of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics included another eight gold medals being earned, headlined by Jordan Stolz of Team USA in the men's speedskating 1,000-meter. The American phenom entered the event as a heavy favorite,
The toughest group of the Men’s tournament in these Olympics, this group features the powerhouse Team Canada, the ever-competing Team Czechia, the new threat of Team Switzerland, and the respectable outsider Team France. Let’s start with Team Canada.
And he does it in dominant fashion, the largest margin of victory in this event at the Olympics since 1984.” - Bill Spaulding on U.S. Speed Skater Jordan Stolz’s Record Breaking Win in the 1000M