Get ready, hockey fans! Team Sweden has officially announced its roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, and they're aiming for their first gold medal since the 2006 Turin games. This team is packed with talent and ready to compete!
This squad, unveiled on Friday, January 2, 2026, shows some exciting changes compared to the 4 Nations Face-Off roster. Let's dive into the details.
Forwards: A Mix of Experience and Fresh Talent
Up front, Sweden is bringing in a potent mix of skill and experience. Joining the team are Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche, Pontus Holmberg from the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks. While Viktor Arvidsson and Gustav Nyquist, who played in the 4 Nations tournament, didn't make the cut this time.
Coach Sam Hallam has high praise for Holmberg and Wennberg, highlighting their tactical intelligence and versatility. He describes Holmberg as a player who has significantly improved his checking game, making him incredibly tough to play against. Wennberg, on the other hand, is lauded for his consistent performance and smart play, making a strong impression in last year's World Championships.
Defense: A Solid Defensive Core
On the blue line, Sweden welcomes Philip Broberg of the St. Louis Blues and Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Notably, Mattias Ekholm of the Edmonton Oilers is absent from this Olympic roster compared to the 4 Nations team.
There's also some uncertainty surrounding Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who was initially named to the preliminary roster but is currently recovering from elbow surgery. Coach Hallam is considering two options: either replacing Hedman with a player from the existing squad or bringing in a new player. Hedman's recovery is being closely monitored, as he is a crucial part of the team.
Goaltending: A Strong Goalie Tandem
In goal, Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild joins the team, while Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators is out from the 4 Nations team. Coach Hallam highlights Wallstedt's rapid progress and the strength of the Minnesota goalie tandem, who are familiar with each other's routines and can support each other effectively. Jacob Markstrom is also recognized for his ability to win any game, emphasizing the depth of talent in Swedish hockey.
This marks the first time since 2014 that NHL players will represent Sweden at the Olympics. Erik Karlsson, who won silver with Sweden in 2014, expressed his excitement and honor at being selected.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The tournament will feature all 12 teams playing three preliminary games in their respective groups. The top three teams from each group and the best second-place team will advance directly to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams will compete in single-elimination games to determine the other four quarterfinalists. The gold medal game is scheduled for February 22nd.
Team Sweden is in Group B and will kick off the tournament against Team Italy on February 11th, followed by games against Team Finland on February 13th and Team Slovakia on February 14th.
Team Sweden Roster Breakdown
Here is the complete Team Sweden roster for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina, listed alphabetically by position:
FORWARDS (14)
- Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils
- Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
- Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild
- Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
- Pontus Holmberg, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings
- Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
- Elias Lindholm, Boston Bruins
- William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
- Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
- Alexander Wennberg, San Jose Sharks
- Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers
This forward group is a dynamic mix of playmakers like Raymond, Kempe, and Nylander, with Landeskog providing leadership. Lindholm and Eriksson Ek bring face-off expertise, while Rakell, Forsberg, and Zibanejad add valuable depth. The inclusion of Raymond, Carlsson, and Pettersson injects fresh energy into the team.
DEFENSEMEN (8)
- Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames
- Philip Broberg, St. Louis Blues
- Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild
- Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Gustav Forsling, Florida Panthers
- Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Sweden's defense boasts incredible depth, combining offensive skill with Hedman, Dahlin, and Karlsson, and defensive prowess with Brodin, Forsling, and Andersson. Karlsson's performance has improved after a challenging season with the Penguins.
GOALIES (3)
- Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild
- Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils
- Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild
Wallstedt's outstanding start to the season, along with Gustavsson and Markstrom, gives Sweden a significant advantage in goal compared to the 4 Nations tournament.
But here's where it gets interesting... The team selection always sparks debate. Do you think the right players were chosen? Who do you think is the biggest surprise on the roster? Let's discuss in the comments below!
