Men's 2026 Olympic Hockey Teams Announce Their First Six Players

[Spyro Gyra]

The 12 national men's hockey teams competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan all announced the first six players on the roster on Monday.

Here's a look at each squad's first players with reaction.

[Absolut]

A blues player made team France.

[Aesa]

A blues player made team France.

He is the only French player working in the NHL as far as I know. Texier may not be McDavid but he does play in the best hockey league in the world.

[callitwhatyouwant]

A blues player made team France.

He is the only French player working in the NHL as far as I know. Texier may not be McDavid but he does play in the best hockey league in the world.

He did a good job for them the last national team stage he was on. The interesting part about the NHL is that even though the top games at a national stage like USA vs Canada or Russia or Sweden can be as good as it gets hockey wise, most of the other rosters aren't nearly as good as the top half of the leagues rosters. Just too much talent concentrated in essentially a couple countries.

Canada makes up 41 percent, USA 29 percent, so the other 30 percent is represented by the rest of the world with 9 percent sweden and 6 percent Russia. The Caveat being that Russias league is very good, and swedens is pretty good.

[Absolut]

A blues player made team France.

He is the only French player working in the NHL as far as I know. Texier may not be McDavid but he does play in the best hockey league in the world.

More a comment on he’s the only blues named so far

[Aesa]

A blues player made team France.

He is the only French player working in the NHL as far as I know. Texier may not be McDavid but he does play in the best hockey league in the world.

More a comment on he’s the only blues named so far

Understood. Was just adding a little context as to why France would select him not slamming you for the comment.

[Absolut]

A blues player made team France.

He is the only French player working in the NHL as far as I know. Texier may not be McDavid but he does play in the best hockey league in the world.

More a comment on he’s the only blues named so far

Understood. Was just adding a little context as to why France would select him not slamming you for the comment.

I wish I knew how to say “all good” in French!

[DawgDad]

A blues player made team France.

He is the only French player working in the NHL as far as I know. Texier may not be McDavid but he does play in the best hockey league in the world.

More a comment on he’s the only blues named so far

Understood. Was just adding a little context as to why France would select him not slamming you for the comment.

I wish I knew how to say “all good” in French!

Un jambon-beurre

[Absolut]

A blues player made team France.

He is the only French player working in the NHL as far as I know. Texier may not be McDavid but he does play in the best hockey league in the world.

More a comment on he’s the only blues named so far

Understood. Was just adding a little context as to why France would select him not slamming you for the comment.

I wish I knew how to say “all good” in French!

Un jambon-beurre

Isn’t that a sandwich?

[moose-and-squirrel]

A blues player made team France.

He is the only French player working in the NHL as far as I know. Texier may not be McDavid but he does play in the best hockey league in the world.

More a comment on he’s the only blues named so far

Understood. Was just adding a little context as to why France would select him not slamming you for the comment.

I wish I knew how to say “all good” in French!

Un jambon-beurre

Isn’t that a sandwich?

mmmmm.... burritos..

[Jackie Chiles]

A blues player made team France.

He is the only French player working in the NHL as far as I know. Texier may not be McDavid but he does play in the best hockey league in the world.

More a comment on he’s the only blues named so far

Understood. Was just adding a little context as to why France would select him not slamming you for the comment.

I wish I knew how to say “all good” in French!

Un jambon-beurre

Isn’t that a sandwich?

We're jambon
And I hope you like jambon too

[zamadoo]

If things go similarly to this past season, I'm good with minimal Blues players going to the Olympics and the rest having a nice break.

[STL fan in MN]

If things go similarly to this past season, I'm good with minimal Blues players going to the Olympics and the rest having a nice break.

I bet Thomas gets a good look assuming he doesn’t break his ankle again. Maybe Broberg gets considered if he continues to progress?

Binnington seems like a lock and I bet Parayko makes it again too.

[zamadoo]

If things go similarly to this past season, I'm good with minimal Blues players going to the Olympics and the rest having a nice break.

I bet Thomas gets a good look assuming he doesn’t break his ankle again. Maybe Broberg gets considered if he continues to progress?

Binnington seems like a lock and I bet Parayko makes it again too.

I was thinking about Thomas, but he's got some guys to beat. Broberg is interesting - looks like he's right up there in points. Could see both of them getting snubbed over older vets. Agree on Binner and Parayko.