The men’s hockey competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, starting February 11 and concluding with the gold medal game on February 22, will again feature active NHL players. This marks their first participation since 2014, highlighting a return of most of the world’s top hockey talent to the Olympic stage and promising intense NHL Olympic hockey moments for fans worldwide.
Since NHL players first joined the Winter Olympics in 1998 in Nagano, Japan, they have competed in every Games through 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Over those five Olympics, the tournament produced iconic moments that are still remembered by hockey enthusiasts today. Here are seven of the most extraordinary NHL Olympic hockey highlights, along with three additional notable moments featuring players who later thrived in the NHL.
Remarkable Early Olympic Moments Leading to NHL Careers
Before NHL stars dominated Olympic ice, several key performances by amateur players set the stage for future professional success. These moments remain significant for their impact on international hockey and the NHL’s eventual embrace.
The Miracle on Ice – Lake Placid, 1980
The 1980 Winter Olympics featured arguably the greatest underdog story in men’s hockey history when a group of American college players stunned the powerhouse Soviet Union team 4-3, a victory that energized the United States and culminated with a gold medal win over Finland. Out of the 20 players on that U.S. roster, 13 earned NHL careers, with notable contributors like Neal Broten and Ken Morrow, both achieving over 500 NHL games. Morrow notably won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders, while Broten secured a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995.
On the Soviet side, six players including Vyacheslav Fetisov and Sergei Makarov eventually joined the NHL towards the late 1980s. Fetisov distinguished himself with 546 regular-season games and two Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, showcasing how Olympic success translated to NHL prestige.
Peter Forsberg’s Decisive Shootout Goal – Lillehammer, 1994
In 1994, Sweden claimed its first Olympic men’s hockey gold by narrowly defeating Canada 4-3. Peter Forsberg scored the shootout winner with a skillful move that became iconic enough to be commemorated on a Swedish postage stamp. This moment foreshadowed Forsberg’s stellar 13-season NHL career, which ended with his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Juraj Slafkovský Leads Slovakia to Historic Bronze – Beijing, 2022
Slovakia captured its first-ever Olympic men’s hockey medal in 2022, buoyed by 17-year-old winger Juraj Slafkovský. Leading the tournament with seven goals and earning MVP honors, Slafkovský’s performance propelled him to being the top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, illustrating how Olympic exposure can launch NHL careers.
T.J. Oshie’s Shootout Excellence Against Russia – Sochi, 2014
Shootouts often divide hockey fans, especially in North America, where they are sometimes dismissed as skill competitions rather than reflections of team play. Yet T.J. Oshie’s clutch performance during the 2014 Sochi Olympics forced even skeptics to take notice.
During the preliminary round match between the United States and Russia, Oshie, then with the St. Louis Blues, was sent out repeatedly during the shootout—a format allowing repeated shooters under international rules. Scoring three goals on five attempts against Russian goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, including the decisive winner, Oshie’s display propelled Team USA to the quarterfinals and became one of the most thrilling moments in Olympic hockey history.
Belarus Stuns Sweden in a Jarring Olympic Upset – Salt Lake City, 2002
The 2002 Olympics delivered a shocking upset when Belarus defeated the heavily favored Sweden in the quarterfinal round, despite Sweden’s roster being brimming with NHL stars like Mats Sundin, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Henrik Zetterberg. Belarus had just one NHL player, Ruslan Salei, yet managed a furious effort, leading to a late spectacular goal from Vladimir Kopat that sealed a 4-3 victory.
Sweden dominated the shot count (47-19) but could not overcome Belarus’s determined penalty kill and resilient defense. This moment ranks as one of the greatest NHL Olympic upsets, akin to Belarus’s national “Miracle on Ice,” though the team would fall to Canada in the semifinals and finish fourth overall.
Teemu Selanne’s Final Olympic Stand – Sochi, 2014
Teemu Selanne, known as “The Finnish Flash,” ranks among the NHL’s all-time great scorers, finishing his career with 1,457 points through 1,451 games. Beyond his NHL achievements, Selanne’s Olympic legacy is remarkable, representing Finland in six Olympic Games from 1992 through 2014.
Selanne helped Finland win multiple Olympic medals, including a silver in 2006 and bronzes in 1998, 2010, and 2014. At 43 in Sochi, nearing retirement, Selanne captained the Finnish team after Mikko Koivu’s injury and played a pivotal role driving the offense. His six points in six games earned him tournament MVP honors, and he remains the all-time leading scorer in Olympic men’s hockey with 43 points.
Sweden Recaptures Olympic Gold in Turin – 2006
After missing the podium in 1998 and 2002, Sweden returned to claim the gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. The team was stacked with NHL Hall of Famers such as Henrik Lundqvist, Nicklas Lidstrom, Peter Forsberg, and the Sedin twins, yet early tournament losses to Slovakia and Russia raised doubts.
Sweden rebounded convincingly with a quarterfinal win over Switzerland and a dominant semifinal performance against Czechia. In the gold medal match against Finland, Lidstrom scored a late go-ahead goal, supported by Lundqvist’s strong goaltending, enabling Sweden’s first gold medal with NHL players on the roster and delivering redemption from their 2002 collapse.
Canada Breaks Long Olympic Gold Medal Drought – Salt Lake City, 2002
Despite winning seven of the first eight Olympic gold medals in men’s hockey, Canada had not reached the top of the podium since 1952. Following a disappointing 1998 semifinal loss, the 2002 roster was packed with NHL stars including Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic, and Martin Brodeur.
Canada faced a tough path, entering the gold medal game as underdogs against a strong U.S. side featuring Brett Hull, Mike Modano, and Mike Richter. After trailing multiple times, Canada rallied with late third-period goals from Jarome Iginla and Joe Sakic, securing a 5-2 victory and ending a 50-year gold medal drought in Olympic men’s hockey.
Dominik Hasek Leads Czechia to First Olympic Gold – Nagano, 1998
The 1998 Nagano Olympics were historic, marking the debut of NHL players and just the second Olympic appearance for the newly independent Czechia. Despite being underdogs among contenders like Canada and Russia, Czechia surprised fans and experts alike.
The team featured standout NHL players such as Martin Rucinsky and Robert Lang, but goaltender Dominik Hasek was the undisputed star. Known as “The Dominator,” Hasek posted a remarkable 0.97 goals-against average and .963 save percentage, shutting out Russia 1-0 in the final and handling a tense shootout win over Canada in the semifinals. His performance remains one of the greatest goaltending feats in Olympic history.
Sidney Crosby’s Overtime Heroics Earn Gold for Canada – Vancouver, 2010
The 2010 gold medal game between Canada and the United States was a high-stakes showdown fueled by intense rivalry. Canada took a 2-0 lead, but the U.S. rallied to tie the game, forcing overtime. With the crowd on edge, Crosby received a perfect pass from Jarome Iginla and scored the winning goal between the legs of American goalie Ryan Miller.
This iconic “Golden Goal” dramatically sealed the gold medal for Canada and highlighted Crosby’s growing legacy on the international stage. His success continued with gold medals at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the 2015 World Championship, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, cementing his status as one of hockey’s premier leaders.
Each of these moments underscores the powerful connection between the NHL and the Olympics, showcasing both the sport’s global reach and the immense pressure players face representing their countries. As NHL athletes return to the Olympic ice in 2026, new chapters are poised to join this storied history, promising unforgettable NHL Olympic hockey moments that will captivate fans worldwide.
