2026 Milan Cortina Olympic hockey groups set for men's, women's tournaments
The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic men's and women's hockey groups are set with France replacing Russia in both tournaments.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) confirmed the groups Monday, noting it is following an IOC recommendation in place since March 2023 that athletes from Russia and Belarus should be banned from team events in Olympic sports.
Russia and Belarus have been suspended from IIHF tournaments, including the annual world championships, since shortly after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were allowed to compete as individual neutral athletes in some sports at the 2024 Paris Olympics upon review and invitation by the IOC, but not in any team sports.
After 2026 Olympic hockey qualifying ended, the IIHF announced two possible fields for the Milan Cortina Games: one with Russia in both tournaments (qualifying via world ranking) in case its suspension would be lifted and one without Russia in both tournaments.
France was the next-highest-ranked team in qualifying for both men (first Olympic appearance since 2002) and women (first Olympic appearance ever).
2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey groups
Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France (replaces Russia)
Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Group C: U.S., Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Teams of players from Russia won Olympic men's hockey gold in 2018 and silver in 2022, with no NHL participation either time. The Russian name, flag and anthem were not allowed at either Games due to the nation's anti-doping violations.
NHL players are expected to return to the Olympics in 2026 for the first time since 2014.
Canada won the last two Olympic tournaments with NHL players in 2010 and 2014, plus won this past February's 4 Nations Face-Off — a best-on-best tournament with NHL players from Canada, the U.S., Sweden and Finland.
A team of players from Russia, the Unified Team (1992) or the Soviet Union played in every Olympic men's tournament from 1956 through 2022, winning nine of those 18 tournaments.
2026 Winter Olympics women's hockey groups
Group A: Canada, U.S., Finland, Czechia, Switzerland
Group B: Japan, Sweden, Germany, Italy, France (replaces Russia)
The Russia women's hockey team, which has never won an Olympic medal, would have been placed in the lower-ranked of the two Olympic women's tournament groups had it been allowed to participate.
The seven Olympic women's tournaments held so far have been won by either Canada (five times) or the U.S. (twice). Only once has a team other than Canada or the U.S. made the final — when Sweden lost to Canada in 2006.
At the 2022 Olympics and recent world championships, all of the Group A teams — the world's five highest-ranked teams — automatically qualified for the quarterfinals.
Nick Zaccardi,
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Leafs prospect Easton Cowan isn't about to replace Mitch Marner, but he has the DNA the team is looking for
Easton Cowan has accomplished pretty much everything a player can in junior hockey. The top Maple Leafs prospect went out a champion, named the most valuable player in the Memorial Cup after leading the London Knights over the Medicine Hat Tigers in Sunday's final . The question for Cowan isn't so much what's next, but what's the limit? 'If he continues to play with the same tenacity and puck-hounding ability, mixed with his puck skills and playmaking ability, he will be a productive NHL player,' said Frankie Corrado, the former Leafs defenceman who is now an analyst with TSN. 'Will he make the team next year? Depends on his camp. 'If he doesn't make the team out of camp, it should not be seen as a failure in any way, shape or form. He's a really good player with a hunger on the ice. It's only a matter of time until he is there and playing well.' Cowan is the epitome of a late-blooming junior player , a tenacious skater who went under the radar as a second-round pick in the OHL draft in 2021 and who was an eyebrow-raising first-round selection in the NHL draft two years later. The pick may well pay off. Cowan, from Mount Brydges, Ont., has twice represented Canada at the world junior championship. He was the first OHL player with a point in 60 straight games, though it's not an official record because it was set over two seasons. Former Leafs star Doug Gilmour holds the single-season record at 55 games, set with the Cornwall Royals in 1982-83. Nicknamed Cowboy, Cowan finished his junior career in London with 220 points (84 goals, 136 assists) in 175 games. More importantly for a team looking for someone who can rise to the occasion, he had 32 goals and 64 assists in 60 playoff games. He led the OHL playoffs in points in each of the last two post-seasons. He led the Memorial Cup tournament in points last year, and was the co-leader this year. In doing so, he tied Mitch Marner's Knights record of 15 points in Memorial Cup play. Cowan will come to Leafs camp at an intriguing time. There could well be an opening at right wing. Marner might leave as a free agent. The Leafs might also decide to cut bait with Nick Robertson. So there may be an opportunity for a prospect to push through. Having traded Cowan's friend, Fraser Minten, the Leafs aren't particularly deep with prospects at forward. Alex Steeves is generally believed to be their top minor-league prospect, but he could leave as an unrestricted free agent. Jacob Quillan, who scored 18 goals as a rookie with the Marlies, might get a long look. Cowan invigorated Leafs camp in 2023 when he was the last cut. He was only so-so at the 2024 camp, though the team said at the time his overall game was better even if the eye-popping plays were fewer. Those that have watched Cowan play, and watched other junior stars try to make the leap to the NHL, offer some caution. 'He's not ready for prime time next year,' TSN junior hockey analyst Craig Button said. 'Might even need some time in the AHL. But he'll grow and get better with time.' It would be unfair to cast Cowan as a possible replacement for Marner, if the star winger indeed leaves. And he's got a different set of strengths. Cowan plays a bit more like Nazem Kadri, his favourite Leaf as a kid. He's more of a physical player and can be tenacious in pursuing the puck. He's a playmaker as well, with a decent shot. 'He's a great competitor, and edgy,' Button said. 'If (Leafs GM) Brad (Treliving) wants to change the DNA of the Leafs, get players like Easton.' Cowan was five-foot-11, 170 pounds when the Leafs drafted him. He has gained an inch and 15 pounds. 'The thing that will serve him well is that even if he's not necessarily putting up points, he will bring something else to the table,' Corrado said. 'He has a B game that will serve him well.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Maple Leafs GM admits ‘there's some DNA that has to change' after latest playoff failure
Brad Treliving admitted Thursday that it's been 'a difficult few days' for the Toronto Maple Leafs, after longtime team president Brendan Shanahan was informed his contract would not be renewed. That news followed the Maple Leafs losing Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Second Round series against the Florida Panthers on home ice by the score of 6-1. 'Brendan did a lot of good things here, built a really strong foundation,' the Maple Leafs general manager said in his end of season press conference. Advertisement Shanahan was with the Maple Leafs for 11 seasons, and they made the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past nine. However, they never advanced past the second round, even this past season when the Maple Leafs finished first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points. To that end, Treliving, who's been Toronto's GM for the past two seasons, stated that 'changes will take place' and that the Maple Leafs need to become a more 'direct' team that 'limits risk' and plays its best in the most important games, like championship teams do. 'When it matters most, you have to embrace the moment … and ultimately succeed in it,' Treliving explained. The GM admitted 'this is an emotional business' and that he needed time to evaluate what changes need to be made to get the Maple Leafs over the hump. Advertisement 'You have to step back, exhale, and then you have to make calculated decisions based on the best information that you have.' Related: NHL rumors: Insiders provide update on Mitch Marner, potential replacement for Toronto Maple Leafs 3 Maple Leafs takeaways from GM Brad Treliving's media availability Mitch Marner's uncertain future with Maple Leafs Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Mitch Marner can become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and is due a massive contract coming off an NHL career-high 102 points this season. But when Treliving referenced that 'there's some DNA that has to change,' he very well could've been referring to the 28-year-old, who did not come up big at all in that Panthers series, especially in Game 7. Advertisement A reporter also asked about Marner's reluctance to commit to stay in Toronto, pointing out the talented forward's had several chances to say he wants to stay but hasn't. Treliving called Marner 'a tremendous player,' and stressed the importance of taking a step back before making any decisions. Treliving also confirmed the team would meet with Marner's representatives and added, 'Mitch has a say in this as well. This isn't the world according to Brad.' The GM was also asked if Marner and another Core 4 player set to be a UFA, John Tavares, will be offered contracts before July 1. Treliving's response was simply 'No, as I said before, we're going through that process right now.' This has the feeling of a divorce July 1 after Marner recorded 741 points in 657 games with the Maple Leafs. It could be best for both sides. Advertisement Related: NHL free agency: Top forwards available in 2025, including Mitch Marner Building a relationship with new boss With Shanahan out of the picture, Treliving is the main decision maker in hockey operations. But he'll now report to Keith Pelley, the president & CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). Pelley has made it clear that he will not be assuming Shanahan's former role in hockey operations. So, the buck stops with Treliving. But he still needs to forge a bond with his new boss. A clear message from both Treliving and Pelley's press conferences this week was their mutual interest in building a strong relationship. Treliving spoke highly of his previous dynamic with Shanahan, noting that their bond extended beyond professional matters. Advertisement 'It's a friendship that I'll maintain moving forward,' he said. Now, with Pelley stepping into a major role in the organization, Treliving emphasized that while their relationship is still in its early stages, there's already a solid foundation of communication. 'Keith and I have had some good discussions over the last couple of days,' Treliving explained. 'Keith's made it very clear, your job is to go out and and do the things that you see fit with your staff to get the team where we want it to go.' Though he acknowledged there might be minor adjustments in how things operate, Treliving made it clear that his overall role and responsibilities remain largely unchanged. Advertisement Also Read:: Panthers rally past Hurricanes 5-3 in Game 5, return to Stanley Cup Final again: takeaways Defensive core needs improvement Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images Treliving gave his perspective on Toronto's defensive struggles, especially in light of its playoff performance, when the Maple Leafs were out-chanced in every game against the Panthers (558-358 in total). Rather than calling for major roster changes, he made it clear that the solution lies within the organization already. 'I like the length of our defense. I like the makeup of our defense, but you still got to be able to get up and down the ice … We need to get more offense from our defense now,' he said. Advertisement The focus is on tactical refinement. Getting defensemen more involved offensively, closing gaps quicker, taking away time and space, and doing a better job preventing high-danger chances instead of just reacting with blocked shots. 'We can't be rigid,' he added. 'We fell short. We have to continue to look at ways we can get better.' Each of their top-6 defensemen (Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Brandon Carlo and Simon Benoit) is under contract next season. Meaning that tactical changes are more in store than personnel ones.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Oilers advance to Western Conference Final with 1-0 OT win over Golden Knights in Game 5: Takeaways
The Edmonton Oilers are on their way to the Western Conference Final for the second straight year, thanks to a pair of unlikely heroes. Kasperi Kapanen, playing just his second playoff game this postseason, jammed in the series-winning goal 7:19 into overtime to give the Oilers a 1-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their second-round series. Advertisement The son of former NHL forward Sami Kapanen was a postseason spectator until he dressed for Game 4 on Monday. He became an instant Oilers hero in his second playoff game by nudging the puck over the goal line with Vegas goaltender Adin Hill on his back in the crease. It was Kapanen's first postseason goal since he scored for the Pittsburgh Penguins, his first NHL team, in their opening game of the 2021 playoffs against the New York Islanders. 'I don't think there's a lot to it,' Kapanen said. 'I missed it a couple times. Just trying to stay with it. Luckily, it went in. That pretty much summed up the whole game today. There weren't too many Grade-A chances, and I'm just happy with it.' Kapanen's goal made a winner of the other unlikely hero — goaltender Stuart Skinner. He earned his second straight win, both by shutout, after losing his first three postseason starts this season. Calvin Pickard replaced Skinner after Skinner was shelled by the Los Angeles Kings while losing Games 1 and 2 of the first round. Pickard won six straight starts, and Skinner only got the net back because he was injured in Game 2 against Vegas. Advertisement Skinner took the loss in Game 3 when Vegas' Reilly Smith scored a last-second goal for a 4-3 win, but he was perfect in Edmonton's 3-0 win in Game 4 and flawless again in Game 5. It was obvious from the opening face-off that there wasn't going to be much offense on this night. Neither team did much of anything in the first period. The shots were 1-1 through the first 8:30 and ended 8-5 for the Oilers. Edmonton had a 4-1 lead in scoring chances (2-1 at 5-on-5) and had the lone high-danger opportunity (also at 5-on-5), according to Natural Stat Trick. The second period was more of the same, with good scoring chances few and far between. Edmonton had 2:56 of power-play time, but the Golden Knights had the only three high-danger chances, including a shot by William Karlsson that beat Skinner but rang the post. Advertisement The result was the first game in this year's playoffs to be scoreless through two periods. It stayed that way through the next 20 minutes as well, thanks to some sensational goaltending at both ends. Hill made the biggest save of the game to that point early in the period when he stopped Leon Draisaitl, the regular-season leader with 51 goals, on a breakaway, then denied him soon after on a backhander off a 2-on-1 break. He also stopped Connor McDavid on another 2-on-1 with 1:06 remaining after the Golden Knights had held No. 97 without a shot on goal for nearly 59 minutes. Through three periods, the Oilers outshot the Golden Knights 24-22, though Vegas had an 8-4 edge in high-danger chances at 5-on-5 and 8-5 overall. Advertisement Related: Panthers impose will, demolish Maple Leafs 6-1 in pivotal Game 5: takeaways 3 takeaways after Edmonton Oilers' 1-0 OT win against Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 1. Oilers back to final four It's been a long time since Edmonton has advanced to the conference final in back-to-back seasons. In fact, you have to go back to the end of the dynasty years – 1990 through 1992, when they did it in three straight years, winning in 1990 on the way to the franchise's fifth Stanley Cup championship in seven years before losing to the Minnesota North Stars in 1991 and the Chicago Blackhawks in 1992. This is the third time in four years the Oilers have gotten this far – they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 and knocked off the Dallas Stars in six games last year before losing the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers in seven games. They could wind up with a rematch against the Stars, who own a 3-1 lead against the Winnipeg Jets in the other Western Conference Second Round series. The Stars will try to eliminate the Presidents' Trophy-winning Jets by winning Game 5 in Winnipeg on Thursday. Advertisement 'We've been getting better and better at that every single game, we really believe that,' Skinner said. 'It's been a process for us to get to where we are today, and I truly believe we took another step even tonight. It shows a lot of character in the room.' Related: NHL Power Rankings 2024-25: Updated For Round 2 of Stanley Cup Playoffs 2. McDavid, Draisaitl shut down, Oilers win anyway If there's a difference between last year's team and this one, it's that the Oilers are getting more scoring from players not named McDavid and Draisaitl – and the kind of goaltending they needed to win tight games. Advertisement The Oilers scored 16 goals in the five games. McDavid had one – a bad-angled shot that went into the net off Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb in Game 3. Draisaitl scored in Game 1 and had the OT winner in Game 2, but didn't score again. Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Instead, Edmonton got two-goal performances from Corey Perry in Game 3 and Adam Henrique in Game 4 before Kapanen's series-winner in Game 5. The Oilers also benefitted from Skinner's revival. He stopped all 47 shots he faced in Games 4 and 5. 'He came up big the last two nights,' Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. 'We needed them, especially as the game wore on in the third period. A lot more saves were needed. But not only making the saves but looking confident. If anyone needed to feel good about their game and have a little reward, he definitely deserved it.' 3. Golden Knights get nothing from their top guns Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images To see why the Golden Knights are going home, just take a look at how Vegas' top five regular-season goal-scorers failed to come through against the Oilers. Pavel Dorofeyev (35), Tomas Hertl (32), Jack Eichel (29), Ivan Barbashev (23) and Brett Howden (23) did not score a single goal in the series. Advertisement Yes, Dorofeyev missed two games with injuries and Eichel had five assists and played terrific two-way hockey. But you can't win without putting the puck in the net, and Vegas did that just 10 times in five games – not at all in the last two. The effort was there, according to coach Bruce Cassidy, but the results were not. 'I'm super proud of the guys. When they came out, they were committed to playing the right way. They wanted to win,' Cassidy said. 'Sometimes you've got to walk away and say, 'You know, we didn't blow it.' We needed to be better in certain parts of the game. … As the game went on, we looked better and better, and I thought, 'Hey, we're going to get this one. We just need a break to get the first goal.''
