At a Glance
- Four Dallas Stars will skate for Finland in the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Jake Oettinger, Thomas Harley and Radek Faksa will also represent their countries
- The Games could be jeopardized if Milan-Cortina rinks aren’t finished on time
- Why it matters: Fans will watch teammates turn into rivals on the world stage
The Dallas Stars will send seven players to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, the team confirmed, with Finland claiming the largest contingent from the roster.
Finnish Core Leads Dallas Delegation
Miro Heiskanen, Mikko Rantanen, Esa Lindell and Roope Hintz were named Friday to Finland’s 25-man roster, giving the Stars a full blue-line pairing and two-thirds of a forward line for the tournament.
Heiskanen, already an Olympic veteran at 18 during the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, called the second selection “an unbelievable experience” and said he still remembers watching the Olympics as a child and wishing he could be there.
Rantanen, acquired by Dallas in March 2025, will make his Olympic debut alongside his everyday NHL teammate. “It’s going to be really cool,” he said. “We are here together every day and have a chance to go there with him. It’s really special.”
North American and Czech Additions
Three more Stars will wear different colors in Italy:
- Jake Oettinger – USA, goaltender
- Thomas Harley – Canada, defenseman
- Radek Faksa – Czechia, forward
The mixed roster sets up potential showdowns between current linemates. Heiskanen laughed when asked about facing Oettinger: “I don’t have a problem with that. You know, it’s hard to score on Jakey. That’s a tough one.”
He added that once the puck drops, national loyalty overrides friendship: “When you’re in the game, you don’t really think about who you’re playing against.”
Rantanen’s Ritual Revealed
Rantanen keeps a rigid pre-game routine that will travel with him to the Olympics. For the past five years he has eaten the identical meal before every contest:
- Chickpea pasta
- Sweet potato
- Chicken
He invited reporters to sample the dish, suggesting its consistency is part of his mental preparation for high-stakes matches.
Venue Uncertainty Looms
While the Stars players celebrate their selections, league officials remain cautious. Construction delays at the Milan-Cortina ice facilities have raised questions about whether the rinks will be completed and safety-tested in time for the February 6 opening ceremony.
The NHL stated it is monitoring progress and is “cautiously optimistic” the venues will be ready. Player participation hinges on that assurance; if rinks fail inspection, the league could withdraw its talent from the tournament.
Broadcast Details
News Of Fort Worth will carry the opening ceremony live on Friday, Feb. 6, with streaming available on Peacock.
