Year: 2025 (Page 1 of 6)

Canada at the Olympic Games

December 31, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

Canada is the most successful nation in Olympic ice hockey history, holding a combined 23 medals, including 14 gold. Since the sport’s debut at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Canada has established a legacy of dominance across both the men’s and women’s programs.

Olympic Medal Summary

Program	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
Men’s	9	4	3	16
Women’s	5	2	0	7
Total	14	6	3	23

The Men’s Program

Canada dominated the early years of the Olympics, winning six of the first seven gold medals. However, following their win in 1952, the team faced a 50-year gold medal drought during the era of Soviet dominance. This ended at Salt Lake City 2002.

Early Dominance (1920–1952): Canada won gold in 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1948, and 1952. In 1924, the team outscored opponents 110–3.
The Modern Era (1998–Present): With the inclusion of NHL players starting in 1998, Canada regained its status as a powerhouse.
- 2002 (Salt Lake City): Ended the 50-year drought by defeating the USA 5–2.
- 2010 (Vancouver): Sidney Crosby scored the “Golden Goal” in overtime to win gold on home ice.
- 2014 (Sochi): Canada defended its title, going undefeated throughout the tournament.

Canada at the Winter Olympic Games.

The Women’s Program

Since women’s ice hockey was introduced at the 1998 Nagano Games, Team Canada has never missed the podium, appearing in every single gold medal game to date.

Four-Peat (2002–2014): Canada won four consecutive gold medals, a streak that included dramatic wins over their rivals, the United States.
Legendary Players: Hayley Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford are among the most decorated Olympians in the sport, each holding five medals (four gold).
Recent Success: After a silver in 2018, Canada reclaimed the gold at the 2022 Beijing Games, led by Marie-Philip Poulin, who became the first player (male or female) to score in four different Olympic gold medal games.

Looking Ahead: Milano Cortina 2026

As of December 31, 2025, Hockey Canada has officially announced the full 25-man roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. This marks a major milestone as it is the first time NHL players will return to the Olympic stage since 2014.

Men’s Olympic Roster (2026)

The team features a mix of veteran leadership (Sidney Crosby and Drew Doughty are the only previous Olympians) and elite young talent like Macklin Celebrini.

Position	Players
Goaltenders	Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, Logan Thompson
Defencemen	Cale Makar, Drew Doughty, Josh Morrissey, Shea Theodore, Devon Toews, Colton Parayko, Thomas Harley, Travis Sanheim
Forwards	Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Brayden Point, Sam Reinhart, Macklin Celebrini, Mitch Marner, Brad Marchand, Mark Stone, Nick Suzuki, Bo Horvat, Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, Tom Wilson

Team Canada Olympic Schedules

The Women’s tournament begins just before the Opening Ceremony, while the Men’s tournament starts the following week. All times listed below are in Eastern Time (ET).

Men’s Preliminary Schedule (Group A)

Canada is in a group with Czechia, Switzerland, and France.

Feb 12: Canada vs. Czechia — 10:40 AM ET
Feb 13: Canada vs. Switzerland — 3:10 PM ET
Feb 15: Canada vs. France — 10:40 AM ET
Feb 17–18: Qualification Playoffs & Quarter-finals
Feb 22:Gold Medal Game — 8:10 AM ET

Women’s Preliminary Schedule (Group A)

The women face a “power group” including their rivals, the USA.

Feb 5: Canada vs. Finland — 3:10 PM ET
Feb 7: Canada vs. Switzerland — 3:10 PM ET
Feb 9: Canada vs. Czechia — 3:10 PM ET
Feb 10: Canada vs. USA — 2:10 PM ET
Feb 13–14: Quarter-finals
Feb 19:Gold Medal Game — 1:10 PM ET

Quick Facts for 2026

The Venue: Games will be played in Milan at the PalaItalia (Santa Giulia) and Fiera Milano.
NHL Return: This is the first best-on-best Olympic tournament in 12 years.
Leadership:Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning) has been named the Head Coach for the Men’s team, while Troy Ryan continues to lead the Women’s team.

United States at the Olympics Games

December 31, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

The United States has a storied history in Olympic ice hockey, characterized by some of the most iconic “underdog” victories in sports history and a remarkably consistent level of excellence in the women’s game.

Men’s Ice Hockey

The U.S. Men’s team has won a total of 11 medals (2 Gold, 8 Silver, 1 Bronze). Notably, both of their gold medals were won on home soil.

Major Achievements

1980: The “Miracle on Ice” (Lake Placid, NY): Perhaps the most famous moment in American sports history. A team of college kids coached by Herb Brooks defeated the defending champion Soviet Union 4–3 in the medal round before beating Finland to secure the gold.
1960: The “Forgotten Miracle” (Squaw Valley, CA): Twenty years before the 1980 team, the U.S. won its first-ever hockey gold. Led by coach Jack Riley, they went undefeated (7–0), beating both Canada and the Soviet Union.
Silver Medal Consistency: The U.S. holds the record for the most Olympic silver medals in men’s hockey (8), with the most recent coming in 2010 after a dramatic overtime loss to Canada.

United States hoping to win gold for the first time since 1980.

Women’s Ice Hockey

Since women’s hockey was added to the Olympic program in 1998, the United States has been a powerhouse, medaling in every single appearance (2 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze).

Major Achievements

1998: The Inaugural Gold (Nagano, Japan): The U.S. won the first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s ice hockey, defeating Canada 3–1 in the final. This victory is credited with sparking massive growth in girls’ and women’s hockey across the country.
2018: Ending the Drought (PyeongChang, South Korea): After 20 years of Canadian dominance, the U.S. reclaimed gold in a thrilling shootout victory, punctuated by Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson’s “oopsie-daisy” goal and Maddie Rooney’s final save.
The Rivalry: The U.S. and Canada have met in 6 of the 7 gold medal games since the sport’s inception.

Medal Summary Table

Team	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
Men	2 (1960, 1980)	8	1	11
Women	2 (1998, 2018)	4	1	7
Total	4	12	2	18

Notable Figures

Herb Brooks: Coach of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team and the 2002 Silver medal team.
Cammi Granato: Captain of the 1998 Gold medal team and one of the first women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Hilary Knight: A four-time Olympian and the all-time leading scorer in Women’s World Championship history.
Mike Eruzione: The captain of the 1980 team who scored the winning goal against the Soviets.

Looking Ahead: NHL players are officially scheduled to return to the Olympics for the 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina, which will feature a highly anticipated “best-on-best” men’s tournament for the first time since 2014.

For the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, the United States is finalizing its rosters. As of December 31, 2025, the full official rosters for the men’s, women’s, and sled hockey teams are scheduled to be revealed live on NBC’s TODAY show on Friday, January 2, 2026.

However, several key players have already been officially confirmed or are highly anticipated based on the preliminary selection process.

Men’s Roster Status

USA Hockey named its “First Six” players earlier this year to anchor the team as NHL players return to Olympic competition.

Forwards: Auston Matthews (TOR), Matthew Tkachuk (FLA), Brady Tkachuk (OTT), Jack Eichel (VGK).
Defensemen: Quinn Hughes (VAN), Charlie McAvoy (BOS).
Next Steps: The remaining 19 players to round out the 25-man roster will be announced this Friday. Expected locks include Connor Hellebuyck (Goalie) and Jack Hughes (Forward).

Women’s Roster Status

While the official final roster also drops this Friday, the core of the team remains consistent with the group that has dominated recent international play.

Key Names to Watch: Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Taylor Heise, Caroline Harvey, and Aerin Frankel (G).

2026 Olympic Schedule (Group Stage)

The women’s tournament begins before the Opening Ceremony, while the men’s tournament begins mid-way through the Games.

Men’s Schedule (Group C)

Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	Venue
Thursday, Feb. 12	vs. Latvia	3:10 PM	Milano Santagiulia Arena
Saturday, Feb. 14	vs. Denmark	3:10 PM	Milano Santagiulia Arena
Sunday, Feb. 15	vs. Germany	3:10 PM	Milano Santagiulia Arena

Women’s Schedule (Group A)

Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	Venue
Thursday, Feb. 5	vs. Czechia	10:40 AM	Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Saturday, Feb. 7	vs. Finland	10:40 AM	Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Monday, Feb. 9	vs. Switzerland	2:40 PM	Milano Santagiulia Arena
Tuesday, Feb. 10	vs. Canada	2:10 PM	Milano Santagiulia Arena

Key Medal Round Dates

Women’s Gold Medal Game: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Men’s Gold Medal Game: Sunday, February 22, 2026

Sweden at the Olympic Games

December 30, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

Sweden’s national ice hockey teams, known as Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) for the men and Damkronorna (The Lady Crowns) for the women, are among the most successful programs in Olympic history.Sweden is a member of the “Big Six,” a group of the six most powerful ice hockey nations in the world.

Men’s National Team (Tre Kronor)

The men’s team has won a total of 9 Olympic medals, including two gold medals.

Major Achievements

Medal	Year	Host City	Key Detail
🥇 Gold	2006	Turin	Defeated Finland 3–2 in the final; became the first team to win Olympic gold and the World Championship in the same year.
🥇 Gold	1994	Lillehammer	Famous for Peter Forsberg’s shootout goal against Canada, which was later immortalized on a Swedish postage stamp.
🥈 Silver	2014	Sochi	Lost to Canada in the final; notable for Erik Karlsson’s dominant performance.
🥈 Silver	1964	Innsbruck	Finished second in the round-robin tournament format.
🥈 Silver	1928	St. Moritz	Sweden’s first-ever Olympic medal in ice hockey.
🥉 Bronze	1952, 1980, 1984, 1988	Various	Consistent podium finishes throughout the mid-to-late 20th century.

Sweden at the Olympics Games

Legendary Players

Nicklas Lidström: Scored the game-winning goal in the 2006 Olympic final.
Peter Forsberg: A two-time gold medalist (1994, 2006) and national icon.
Henrik Lundqvist: The star goaltender whose late-game save in 2006 secured the gold medal.
Mats Sundin: Long-time captain and leader during the transition to the NHL-player era in the Olympics.

Women’s National Team (Damkronorna)

The Swedish women’s team made history in 2006 by becoming the first team other than Canada or the USA to reach an Olympic final.

Major Achievements

🥈 Silver (2006 – Turin): In perhaps the biggest upset in women’s hockey history, Sweden defeated the USA in the semi-finals via a shootout before losing to Canada in the final.
🥉 Bronze (2002 – Salt Lake City): Secured their first Olympic medal by defeating Finland in the bronze-medal game.
4th Place (2010, 2014): Remained a top-tier contender, narrowly missing the podium in consecutive Games.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Winter Olympics

As we approach the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Sweden’s rosters are taking shape. While the full, final lists are scheduled for official release in early January 2026, the preliminary “First Six” players and high-confidence projections have already been established.

Men’s Team (Tre Kronor)

The men’s tournament features the return of NHL stars.³ Sweden’s defense is widely considered the best in the world.

Confirmed “First Six” (Named by IIHF/NHL)

The following players were the first to be officially locked into the roster:

Victor Hedman (D, Tampa Bay Lightning)
Erik Karlsson (D, Pittsburgh Penguins)
Rasmus Dahlin (D, Buffalo Sabres)
William Nylander (F, Toronto Maple Leafs)
Adrian Kempe (F, Los Angeles Kings)
Gabriel Landeskog (F, Colorado Avalanche)

Women’s Team (Damkronorna)

Sweden’s women are in Group B and will need to finish as one of the top teams in their pool to advance to the quarterfinals.

Key Players to Watch

Goalies: Emma Söderberg (PWHL Boston) is the expected starter.
Defense: Maja Nylén Persson, Anna Kjellbin.
Forwards: Hilda Svensson (rising star), Lina Ljungblom, Sara Hjalmarsson, and Josefin Bouveng.

Sweden’s Olympic Schedule (Group Stage)

Times are shown in local Central European Time (CET). Subtract 6 hours for ET.

Women’s Schedule (Group B)

Date	Opponent	Time (CET)	Venue
Feb 5	vs. Germany	12:10	Milano Rho Arena
Feb 7	vs. Italy	14:40	Milano Santagiulia
Feb 8	vs. France	16:40	Milano Rho Arena
Feb 10	vs. Japan	12:10	Milano Rho Arena

Men’s Schedule (Group B)

Date	Opponent	Time (CET)	Venue
Feb 11	vs. Italy	21:10	Milano Santagiulia
Feb 13	vs. Finland	12:10	Milano Santagiulia
Feb 14	vs. Slovakia	12:10	Milano Santagiulia

Knockout Stages

Women’s Quarterfinals: Feb 13–14 | Gold Medal Game: Feb 19
Men’s Quarterfinals: Feb 18 | Gold Medal Game: Feb 22

Finland at the Olympic Games

December 30, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

Finland has a rich and successful history in Olympic ice hockey, characterized by a steady climb from being “underdogs” to becoming a global powerhouse. The nation is a member of the “Big Six” (the world’s elite hockey nations) and reached its ultimate milestone in 2022 by winning its first-ever Olympic gold medal.

Men’s National Team (Leijonat – The Lions)

The Finnish men’s team is known for its tactical discipline, strong goaltending, and a “sisu” (resilience) that allows them to compete with much larger nations.

Olympic Medal History

Finland’s men’s team has won a total of 7 medals at the Winter Olympics.

Medal	Year	Venue	Final Opponent / Note
🥇 Gold	2022	Beijing	Defeated ROC (Russia) 2–1
🥈 Silver	2006	Turin	Lost to Sweden 3–2
🥈 Silver	1988	Calgary	Finished 2nd in the round-robin medal group
🥉 Bronze	2014	Sochi	Defeated USA 5–0
🥉 Bronze	2010	Vancouver	Defeated Slovakia 5–3
🥉 Bronze	1998	Nagano	Defeated Canada 3–2
🥉 Bronze	1994	Lillehammer	Defeated Russia 4–0

Finland enter has the defending champions in Milan.

Key Milestones

The 2022 Breakthrough: After decades of “near misses,” Finland finally won gold in Beijing under coach Jukka Jalonen. They went undefeated throughout the tournament, capping it with a comeback victory over the Russian Olympic Committee.
The NHL Era: Finland was a major beneficiary of NHL participation (1998–2014). In 2006, they were arguably the best team in the tournament but fell just short in a legendary gold-medal game against rival Sweden.
Iconic Players: * Teemu Selänne: The all-time leading scorer in Olympic history with 43 points across six Olympic Games.
- Valtteri Filppula: The first Finnish member of the “Triple Gold Club” (winning the Stanley Cup, World Championship gold, and Olympic gold).
- Saku Koivu: A long-time captain and the heart of the team through multiple medal-winning campaigns.

Women’s National Team (Naisleijonat)

The Finnish women’s team has consistently been the “best of the rest” behind the dominant North American duo of Canada and the USA.

Olympic Medal History

Finland’s women have won 4 Bronze Medals since the sport was introduced in 1998.

🥉 Bronze: 1998 (Nagano)
🥉 Bronze: 2010 (Vancouver)
🥉 Bronze: 2018 (Pyeongchang)
🥉 Bronze: 2022 (Beijing)

Key Figures

Jenni Hiirikoski: Widely considered one of the greatest defenders in women’s hockey history; she has captained the team through multiple Olympic cycles.
Noora Räty: A legendary goaltender who was instrumental in Finland’s ability to challenge the top-tier nations.

Looking Ahead: Milano Cortina 2026

Finland will enter the 2026 Winter Olympics as the defending men’s champions. This tournament is highly anticipated because NHL players are scheduled to return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, allowing Finland to field a roster featuring stars like Sebastian Aho and Mikko Rantanen.

For the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, the Finnish teams are preparing for a major tournament where NHL players return for the men’s side.

While the full rosters won’t be finalized until early 2026, the “First Six” men’s players have been officially confirmed, and there are strong projections for the rest of the squads.

Finland Men’s Roster (Milano Cortina 2026)

The Finnish men enter as the defending champions. A major recent development is that superstar Aleksander Barkov is reportedly likely to miss the tournament due to a severe knee injury (ACL/MCL) sustained during the current NHL season.

Confirmed “First Six” Players:

Sebastian Aho (F) – Carolina Hurricanes
Mikko Rantanen (F) – Colorado Avalanche
Miro Heiskanen (D) – Dallas Stars
Esa Lindell (D) – Dallas Stars
Juuse Saros (G) – Nashville Predators
(Note: Aleksander Barkov was originally in the first six but is currently sidelined.)

Olympic Schedule (Group Stage)

The women’s tournament begins earlier than the men’s. All times are local Italian time (CET).

Women’s Schedule (Group A)

Date	Time	Opponent
Feb 5	21:10	vs. Canada
Feb 7	16:40	vs. USA
Feb 8	21:10	vs. Czechia
Feb 10	21:10	vs. Switzerland
The Women’s Gold Medal game is scheduled for Feb 19.

Men’s Schedule (Group B)

Date	Time	Opponent
Feb 11	16:40	vs. Slovakia
Feb 13	12:10	vs. Sweden (Rivalry Match)
Feb 14	16:40	vs. Italy
The Men’s Gold Medal game is scheduled for Feb 22.

Finland Women’s Roster

The women’s roster typically draws from the Finnish national league (Naisten Liiga) and the PWHL.

Key Names to Watch: Defensive legend Jenni Hiirikoski is expected to lead the team again, alongside star forwards like Petra Nieminen and Viivi Vainikka. In net, expect to see Sanni Ahola or Anni Keisala.

Switzerland at the Olympic Games

December 29, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

Switzerland has a long and respected history in Olympic ice hockey, dating back to the very first appearance of the sport in the 1920 Summer Games. While historically known as a “middle-tier” power, the Swiss national teams have recently emerged as genuine medal contenders on the world stage.

Men’s National Team (“Eisgenossen”)

The men’s team was a dominant force in the early 20th century but faced a long drought before their modern resurgence.

Olympic Medals: 2 Bronze (1928 St. Moritz, 1948 St. Moritz).
Recent Performance: In the 2022 Beijing Games, they finished 8th. However, they have recently reached new heights in non-Olympic play, winning Silver Medals at the IIHF World Championships in 2013, 2018, 2024, and 2025.
Key Players: * Roman Josi: Widely considered one of the best defensemen in the world (Nashville Predators).
- Nico Hischier: The first Swiss player ever drafted #1 overall in the NHL (New Jersey Devils).
- Andres Ambühl: A living legend who holds the world record for the most IIHF World Championship appearances.

Switzerland at the Olympic Games

Women’s National Team (“Eisgenossinnen”)

The women’s program is younger but has achieved significant success in a shorter timeframe since its Olympic debut in 2006.

Olympic Medals: 1 Bronze (2014 Sochi). This was a historic moment where they defeated Sweden 4–3 in the bronze-medal game after a dramatic third-period comeback.
Recent Performance: They finished 4th at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, narrowly missing out on another medal
Key Players:
- Lara Stalder: The team’s longtime captain and one of the highest-scoring players in international women’s hockey.
- Alina Müller: A superstar forward and a key figure in the PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League).

Looking Ahead: Milano Cortina 2026

Switzerland is already qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Tournament	Group	Opponents
Men	Group A	Canada, Czech Republic, France
Women	Group A	Canada, USA, Finland, Czech Republic

For the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the Swiss men’s team has officially named its first core group of players, and the full competition schedules for both the men’s and women’s tournaments have been released.

Swiss Men’s National Team: Initial Roster

Following the agreement for NHL players to return to the Olympics, Switzerland was among the nations to name their first six players (all NHL stars) as a preliminary core for the 25-man roster.

Position	Player	NHL Team
Defense	Roman Josi	Nashville Predators
Defense	Jonas Siegenthaler	New Jersey Devils
Forward	Nico Hischier	New Jersey Devils
Forward	Timo Meier	New Jersey Devils
Forward	Kevin Fiala	Los Angeles Kings
Forward	Nino Niederreiter	Winnipeg Jets

The remaining roster spots are expected to be officially finalized and announced around January 1, 2026.

Olympic Schedules: Switzerland

All times below are listed in Central European Time (CET), which is the local time in Italy.

Men’s Schedule (Group A)

The men’s tournament takes place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

Date	Opponent	Time (CET)
Thursday, Feb 12	🇫🇷 France	12:10
Friday, Feb 13	🇨🇦 Canada	21:10
Sunday, Feb 15	🇨🇿 Czechia	12:10

Women’s Schedule (Group A)

The women’s tournament is split between the Milano Rho and Santagiulia arenas.⁵ Group A contains the top-seeded nations, all of whom are guaranteed a spot in the Quarterfinals.

Date	Opponent	Time (CET)	Venue
Friday, Feb 6	🇨🇿 Czechia	14:40	Santagiulia
Saturday, Feb 7	🇨🇦 Canada	21:10	Rho
Monday, Feb 9	🇺🇸 USA	20:40	Santagiulia
Tuesday, Feb 10	🇫🇮 Finland	21:10	Rho

Key Dates to Watch

Women’s Gold Medal Game: Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Men’s Gold Medal Game: Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Germany at the Olympic Games

December 27, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

Germany has a long and storied history in Olympic ice hockey, dating back to 1928. While they were historically seen as a mid-tier team, their stunning performance in the 21st century has solidified them as a formidable “giant killer” on the international stage.

Men’s National Team

The German men’s team has won a total of three Olympic medals: one silver and two bronze.

Year	Location	Medal	Notable Performance
1932	Lake Placid	Bronze	Their first-ever Olympic medal in the sport.
1976	Innsbruck	Bronze	Won by West Germany (FRG) in a highly competitive era.
2018	PyeongChang	Silver	The “Miracle on Ice” for Germany. They defeated top-seeded Sweden and Canada to reach the final, narrowly losing 4–3 in overtime to the Olympic Athletes from Russia.

Historical Context

The Division Era (1968–1988): During the Cold War, Germany was represented by two teams: West Germany (FRG) and East Germany (GDR). The 1976 bronze medal was officially credited to West Germany.
Recent Rise: Since the 2018 silver medal, Germany has become a consistent top-ten team, currently ranked 7th in the IIHF World Rankings (as of May 2025). They also reached the World Championship final in 2023, earning a silver medal there as well.

Germany at the Olympic Games.

Women’s National Team

The German women’s team is a newer program, making their Olympic debut in 2002. While they have yet to win an Olympic medal, they are consistently competitive in the top division.

Appearances: 2002 (6th), 2006 (5th), and 2014 (6th).
Current Status: They are currently ranked 9th in the world. Their best international result to date is a 4th-place finish at the 2017 World Championships.

Legendary Players

Several German players have achieved international fame through their Olympic and professional careers:

Udo Kießling: The first ice hockey player in history to compete in five Olympic Games (1976–1992).
Uwe Krupp: A Stanley Cup winner and former national team coach who helped modernize German hockey.
Christian Ehrhoff: A star defenseman and NHL veteran who served as the closing ceremony flag bearer for Germany in 2018.
Leon Draisaitl: Though he missed 2018 due to NHL scheduling, he is widely considered one of the best players in the world today and is the face of the modern German era.

As of late 2025, the rosters for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are taking shape. For the first time since 2014, NHL players will be participating, which significantly boosts Germany’s lineup with world-class talent.

Germany Men’s Roster (Preliminary & Projected)

The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) has already named its first six “lock” players, with the full roster expected in early January 2026.

The First Six Named Players

These six stars are officially confirmed to the preliminary roster:

Leon Draisaitl (F, Edmonton Oilers) – The face of German hockey.
Tim Stützle (F, Ottawa Senators) – One of the NHL’s brightest young stars.
Moritz Seider (D, Detroit Red Wings) – Former NHL Rookie of the Year and team anchor.
Nico Sturm (F, Minnesota Wild) – Defensive specialist and Stanley Cup champion.
JJ Peterka (F, Buffalo Sabres) – Elite young scorer.
Philipp Grubauer (G, Seattle Kraken) – Veteran starting goaltender.

Top Projected Additions

While not officially “locked” yet, these players are widely expected to fill out the squad:

Forwards: Lukas Reichel (Vancouver Canucks), Dominik Kahun (SC Bern), Leo Pföderl (Eisbären Berlin), Frederik Tiffels (Eisbären Berlin).
Defense: Maksymilian Szuber (Utah Hockey Club), Kai Wissmann (Eisbären Berlin), Jonas Müller (Eisbären Berlin).
Goalies: Mathias Niederberger (EHC München).

2026 Olympic Schedule (Men’s Tournament)

Germany is placed in Group C alongside the USA, Latvia, and Denmark. All group stage games for Germany will take place at the Fiera Milano Pavilion.

Date	Opponent	Stage
Thursday, Feb 12	vs. Latvia	Preliminary Round
Saturday, Feb 14	vs. Denmark	Preliminary Round
Sunday, Feb 15	vs. USA	Preliminary Round
Tuesday, Feb 17	TBD	Qualification Playoffs
Wednesday, Feb 18	TBD	Quarterfinals
Friday, Feb 20	TBD	Semifinals
Sunday, Feb 22	TBD	Gold Medal Game

Germany Women’s Team

The German women’s team successfully qualified for the 2026 Games by winning their qualification tournament in February 2025. They are placed in Group B with Japan, Sweden, Italy, and France. Their preliminary schedule begins on February 5, 2026, one day before the Opening Ceremony.

2026 Olympic Schedule: Women’s Group B

Germany’s games will primarily be played at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Note that the women’s tournament begins on February 5, one day before the official Opening Ceremony.

Date	Time (CET)	Opponent	Venue
Thursday, Feb 5	12:10 PM	vs. Sweden	Milano Rho
Saturday, Feb 7	12:10 PM	vs. Japan	Milano Rho
Monday, Feb 9	4:40 PM	vs. France	Milano Rho
Tuesday, Feb 10	4:40 PM	vs. Italy	Milano Rho

Czechia at the Olympics

December 27, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

Ice hockey is more than just a sport in Czechia; it is a core part of the national identity. Since the country began competing as an independent nation in 1994, it has established itself as a global powerhouse.

Notable Achievements & Medals

Czechia’s Olympic history is defined by the “Tournament of the Century” in 1998, which remains the greatest sporting moment in the nation’s history.

Olympics	Team	Result	Notable Players
Nagano 1998	Men	Gold	Dominik Hašek, Jaromír Jágr
Turin 2006	Men	Bronze	Milan Hejduk, Tomáš Vokoun
Beijing 2022	Women	7th Place	Aneta Tejralová (Captain)

The 1998 Nagano Gold

This was the first Olympics to include NHL players, and Czechia was considered an underdog against heavyweights like Canada and Russia.

The Semi-Final: Goaltender Dominik “The Dominator” Hašek stopped five Canadian shooters in a historic penalty shootout to eliminate Wayne Gretzky’s Team Canada.
The Final: Petr Svoboda scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Russia to secure the gold.
Impact: The victory sparked massive celebrations in Prague, often compared to the political rallies of the Velvet Revolution.

Czechia at the Olympics Games.

The Women’s National Team

The Czech women’s team has seen a meteoric rise in recent years.

Olympic Debut: They made their first-ever Olympic appearance at the 2022 Beijing Games, finishing in a respectable 7th place.
Future Outlook: Following back-to-back Bronze medals at the World Championships (2022, 2023), they have officially qualified for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics and are currently ranked among the top four teams in the world.

Historical Context: Czechoslovakia

Before the “Velvet Divorce” in 1993, the Czechs competed as part of Czechoslovakia. While they never won Olympic gold during this era, they were a consistent threat to the Soviet Union and Canada, winning:

4 Silver Medals: 1948, 1968, 1976, 1984
4 Bronze Medals: 1920, 1964, 1972, 1992

Note: The IIHF considers Czechia the official successor to the Czechoslovak records, allowing them to remain in the elite “Big Six” group of hockey nations.

Key Players to Know

Dominik Hašek: Widely regarded as one of the greatest goaltenders in history; his .961 save percentage in Nagano is legendary.
Jaromír Jágr: An “ironman” of the sport who has played in five different Olympic tournaments.
Roman Červenka: A modern leader who has represented the team in multiple Olympics and led them to recent World Championship success.

For the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, the Czech Ice Hockey Federation has already begun naming players to its preliminary rosters.

Below are the players officially named to the team so far, along with the preliminary round schedule for both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments.

Team Czechia: Officially Named Players (Men)

As of late 2025, the “First Six” players have been officially confirmed. These are the core NHL stars who were named to the preliminary roster early:

David Pastrňák (Forward, Boston Bruins)
Martin Nečas (Forward, Colorado Avalanche)
Pavel Zacha (Forward, Boston Bruins)
Ondřej Palát (Forward, New Jersey Devils)
Radko Gudas (Defenseman, Anaheim Ducks)
Lukáš Dostál (Goaltender, Anaheim Ducks)

Note: The full 25-man roster is expected to be finalized in early 2026, featuring a mix of NHL regulars and top European-league stars like Roman Červenka.

2026 Olympic Schedule (Czechia)

The Winter Olympics take place from February 6–22, 2026. Czechia’s teams will compete in Group A for both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

Men’s Preliminary Round (Group A)

Date	Opponent	Time (CET)	Venue
Feb 12	🇨🇦 Canada	16:40	Milano Santagiulia
Feb 13	🇫🇷 France	16:40	Milano Santagiulia
Feb 15	🇨🇭 Switzerland	12:10	Milano Santagiulia

Women’s Preliminary Round (Group A)

Date	Opponent	Time (CET)	Venue
Feb 5	🇺🇸 USA	16:40	Milano Rho Arena
Feb 6	🇨🇭 Switzerland	14:40	Milano Santagiulia
Feb 8	🇫🇮 Finland	21:10	Milano Rho Arena
Feb 9	🇨🇦 Canada	21:10	Milano Rho Arena

Key Things to Watch

The Goaltending Battle: Lukáš Dostál is currently the favorite to start in net following his heroics at the 2024 World Championships.
Women’s Medal Push: After winning two recent World Championship bronze medals, the Czech women’s team is considered a serious threat to the traditional USA-Canada dominance.
The Captain: Veteran Roman Červenka (turning 40 just before the Games) is expected to captain the men’s side in what will likely be his final Olympic appearance.

2026 World Junior Preview

December 24, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

As the tournament prepares to kick off in Minnesota, here is a breakdown of the 10 nations competing for the 2026 World Junior title.

Group A (St. Paul)

United States The heavy favorites and defending back-to-back champions, the U.S. is aiming for a historic three-peat on home ice. Led by superstar center James Hagens and dynamic defender Cole Hutson, the Americans boast a roster loaded with NHL first-round talent and elite speed that is difficult for any opponent to match.

Sweden “Junior Kronorna” arrives with perhaps the most complete defensive unit in the tournament, anchored by Leo Sahlin Wallenius and Sascha Boumedienne. While they have historically dominated the group stage, the Swedes are desperate to overcome their recent “silver medal curse” and secure their first gold since 2012.

Slovakia Slovakia continues its “Golden Generation” run, though they will feel the loss of stars like Dalibor Dvorský. This year’s squad leans on a heavy, two-way game led by Los Angeles Kings prospect Ján Chovan and a standout goaltender in Michal Prádel, making them a dangerous “trap” team for the giants.

Switzerland The Swiss are focused on stability and avoiding the relegation round. Their success hinges on San Jose Sharks prospect Christian Kirsch in net and a disciplined defensive system led by Leon Muggli. While they lack high-end scoring depth, they are notoriously difficult to break down in their own zone.

Germany Germany returns with a veteran core, including 12 players from last year’s squad. Big-bodied forward Maxim Schäfer (6-foot-4) and playmaker David Lewandowski provide the offensive punch, but the Germans will need a Herculean effort from their goaltending to survive a very difficult Group A.

Group B (Minneapolis)

Canada After two consecutive years without a medal, Canada is on a “Redemption Tour.” The roster is a mix of NHL experience (like Michael Misa) and the generational hype of Gavin McKenna. Under coach Dale Hunter, the Canadians have shifted toward a grittier, more disciplined style designed for short-tournament success.

Finland The Finns are anchored by the reigning “Best Goaltender” of the tournament, Petteri Rimpinen. While they may lack the flashy offensive superstars of years past, their rigid tactical structure and the two-way brilliance of Emil Hemming make them a lock for a deep medal-round run.

Czechia Czechia has become a perennial medal threat, and this year is no different. They feature a high-octane offense led by the “Adam Duo”—Adam Benák and Adam Novotný. With Adam Jiříček returning to lead the blue line, the Czechs have the firepower to beat anyone in the world on a given night.

Latvia Latvia remains the ultimate underdog, fresh off a historic upset of Canada in the previous year’s group stage. They return 14 players, including playmaking forward Bruno Osmanis. Their strategy is simple: play physical, block shots, and rely on the chemistry of a roster that has played together for years.

Denmark Newly promoted back to the top division, the Danes face a steep uphill battle. They are led by their lone NHL-drafted player, Mads Kongsbak Klyvø (Florida Panthers), and will look to use their significant size on the wings to disrupt opponents’ transitions and stay competitive in the top flight.

The 2026 World Junior Championship is a landmark 50th-anniversary event. With the tournament kicking off in just two days (December 26, 2025), here is your guide to the high-stakes matchups and the NHL’s future stars.

Hoping for a WJC Final between USA & Canada

Key Rivalry Games to Circle

The group stage features several massive matchups that will determine playoff seeding and, in some cases, survival in the top division.

The “New Year’s Eve” Showdowns (Dec 31)

Historically the biggest day of the preliminary round, the 2026 schedule does not disappoint:

USA vs. Sweden 🇸🇪 (6:00 PM ET): A rematch of the 2024 Gold Medal game. This will likely decide who takes the #1 seed in Group A.
Canada vs. Finland 🇫🇮 (8:30 PM ET): Canada faces the team they beat in the 2025 semis. The “Big Two” of Group B will likely be playing for the top spot.

Other Must-Watch Matchups

Canada vs. Czechia 🇨🇿 (Dec 26, 8:30 PM ET): A massive opening-night test. The Czechs have knocked Canada out of recent tournaments, and this game will set the tone for Canada’s “redemption tour.”
Germany vs. Switzerland 🇨🇭 (Dec 30, 2:00 PM ET): Known as the “Alpine Derby,” this is often the most intense rivalry in European hockey. Both teams will likely be fighting to avoid the relegation game.

Latvia vs. Denmark 🇩🇰 (Dec 30, 4:30 PM ET): This is the “Survival Bowl.” The winner likely stays in the top division, while the loser faces a high-pressure relegation playoff.

Top NHL Prospects to Watch

The 2026 tournament is unique because it features a “triple threat” of talent: 2024/2025 NHL first-rounders, current NHL players on loan, and the superstars of the upcoming 2026 Draft.

Drafted Stars (The Leaders)

Player	Nation	NHL Team	Why Watch?
Michael Misa	🇨🇦	San Jose Sharks	Loaned back to Canada; brings elite pro-level speed and playmaking.
James Hagens	🇺🇸	Boston Bruins	The #7 overall pick in 2025. He is the tournament’s most dangerous creative center.
Anton Frondell	🇸🇪	Chicago Blackhawks	A powerful, high-skill forward who can take over a game physically.
Cole Hutson	🇺🇸	Washington Capitals	The most prolific scoring defenseman in U.S. NTDP history.
Petteri Rimpinen	🇫🇮	NHL Drafted	The reigning “Best Goaltender” who can single-handedly steal a gold medal.

The 2026 NHL Draft Class (The Phenoms)

These players aren’t just “prospects”—they are expected to be the top names called at the 2026 NHL Draft in June.

Gavin McKenna (LW, Canada): The undisputed projected #1 pick. He has “Connor Bedard-level” hype and is the focal point of Canada’s power play.
Ivar Stenberg (F, Sweden): A dynamic, shifty winger who many scouts believe could challenge McKenna for the #1 spot with a big tournament.
Adam Benák (C, Czechia): An undersized but electrifying playmaker who already has extensive experience playing against men in Europe.
Logan Hensler (D, USA): A massive, 6-foot-2 mobile defender who is a projected top-5 pick and a shutdown force.

Opening Day Matchups (Dec 26)

🇸🇪 Sweden vs. Slovakia 🇸🇰 (1:00 PM ET)
🇩🇰 Denmark vs. Finland 🇫🇮 (3:30 PM ET)
🇩🇪 Germany vs. USA 🇺🇸 (6:00 PM ET)
🇨🇦 Canada vs. Czechia 🇨🇿 (8:30 PM ET)

Slovakia at the Olympics

December 20, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

Slovakia’s history in Olympic ice hockey is a journey from a forced “fresh start” in 1994 to becoming a consistent underdog threat, culminating in a historic bronze medal in 2022.

Before 1993, Slovak players were a vital part of the Czechoslovakian national team, which won multiple Olympic medals (though never a gold).² After the “Velvet Divorce,” the IIHF ruled that the Czech Republic would remain in the top tier, while Slovakia was forced to start from the bottom (Pool C) and work its way up.

Timeline of Key Olympic Milestones

Year	Location	Result	Key Context
1994	Lillehammer	6th	Their debut as an independent nation. Led by legend Peter Šťastný, they won their group but lost to Russia in OT in the quarterfinals.
1998	Nagano	10th	The “NHL Olympics.” Slovakia was severely hampered by a format that required them to play preliminary games without their NHL stars, leading to early elimination.
2002	Salt Lake City	13th	A disappointing finish due to similar scheduling issues as 1998. This was particularly stinging as they won the World Championship Gold just months later.
2006	Turin	5th	Finally able to use a full NHL roster from the start, they went undefeated in the group stage but were upset by the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals.
2010	Vancouver	4th	Their “Golden Generation” (Chára, Hossa, Gáborík, Demitra) reached the semi-finals. They led Canada in the final minutes of the semi and Finland in the bronze game but finished without a medal.
2022	Beijing	Bronze	Slovakia’s first-ever Olympic hockey medal. Led by 17-year-old sensation Juraj Slafkovský, they shut out Sweden 4–0 to take the bronze.

Slovakia at the Olympics Games.

The 2022 “Miracle” in Beijing

The 2022 bronze medal is considered one of the greatest moments in Slovak sports history.

The Slafkovský Factor: Juraj Slafkovský, only 17 at the time, was named the tournament’s MVP. He led the Olympics in scoring with 7 goals in 7 games.
Tactical Shift: Under Canadian coach Craig Ramsay, the team adopted a modern, aggressive “north-south” style of play that focused on speed and pressure rather than traditional passive defense.
Quarterfinal Upset: They famously defeated the heavily favored USA in a shootout to reach the medal rounds.

Iconic Players

Peter Šťastný: The pioneer who carried the flag in 1994 and proved Slovakia could compete with the world’s best immediately after independence.
Miroslav Šatan: The longtime captain and all-time leading scorer for the national team, a symbol of Slovak hockey for two decades.
Zdeno Chára: The legendary defenseman who served as a leader and physical presence across multiple Olympic cycles.
Pavol Demitra: A national hero whose tragic death in 2011 deeply affected the team; his performance in 2010 remains one of the best individual Olympic efforts by a Slovak

Slovakia secured their spot for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina by winning their final Olympic Qualification tournament in August/September 2024.

Because Slovakia was ranked 9th in the IIHF World Rankings after the 2023 World Championships, they narrowly missed out on an “automatic” berth (which was granted to the top 8 ranked teams). This meant they had to host and win a four-team qualification tournament to advance.

The Final Qualification Tournament

Slovakia hosted Group D in Bratislava from August 29 to September 1, 2024.² They went undefeated, winning all three of their games to finish at the top of the group.³

Opponent	Score	Summary
Austria	2–1	A tense opening victory where Slovakia’s defense held firm against a surging Austrian side.
Hungary	7–3	A dominant offensive performance that showcased the team’s depth and scoring power.
Kazakhstan	3–1	The “Final” match. Goals from Robert Lantoši, Pavol Regenda, and Adam Liška sealed the Olympic ticket.

Key Factors in the Qualification

Home Ice Advantage: Playing in Bratislava provided a massive boost, with the local crowd providing a playoff-like atmosphere.
NHL Reinforcements: Unlike the 1998 and 2002 qualifiers, Slovakia was able to utilize several available pro stars, including Martin Pospíšil (Calgary Flames), Šimon Nemec (New Jersey Devils), and Pavol Regenda (Anaheim Ducks).
Coaching Continuity: Under head coach Craig Ramsay, the team maintained the same aggressive, high-speed system that led them to the bronze medal in 2022.

What’s Next for 2026?

By winning their group, Slovakia has been placed in Group B for the 2026 Olympic Games. They are set to face a very difficult preliminary round:

Finland
Sweden
Italy (The host nation)

In June 2025, the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation, in conjunction with the NHL and the IIHF, officially named the first six cornerstone players for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

This group is a mix of young elite talent and veteran leadership, highlighting Slovakia’s strength on the blue line and their top-tier NHL forwards.

The “First Six” Selections

Player	Position	Current Team (as of 2025/26)
Juraj Slafkovský	Forward	Montreal Canadiens
Martin Pospíšil	Forward	Calgary Flames
Tomáš Tatar	Forward	EV Zug (Switzerland)
Šimon Nemec	Defense	New Jersey Devils
Martin Fehérváry	Defense	Washington Capitals
Erik Černák	Defense	Tampa Bay Lightning

Key Takeaways from the Selection

The Big Three on Defense: Slovakia is entering the 2026 games with arguably their strongest defensive core in history. With Černák (a two-time Stanley Cup winner), Fehérváry, and Nemec locked in, they have three top-four NHL defensemen to anchor the team.
The Return of Slafkovský: After his historic 7-goal MVP performance at the 2022 Olympics, Juraj Slafkovský returns as the face of the franchise. Since the last Olympics, he has developed into a top-line winger in the NHL.
Veteran Presence: Tomáš Tatar remains the emotional leader of the group. Despite moving to the Swiss league for the 2025-26 season, his experience (this will be his second Olympics) is considered vital for a very young roster.
Physicality: The inclusion of l Martin Pospíši signals the team’s shift toward the aggressive, high-hitting style of play that Coach Craig Ramsay has successfully implemented.

What’s Next?

The remaining 19 roster spots (to reach the 25-player limit) are expected to be finalized around January 1, 2026. Keep an eye on young prospects like Dalibor Dvorský (St. Louis Blues) and Samuel Honzek (Calgary Flames), who are widely projected to join this group.

lovakia is set to compete in Group B at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Their preliminary schedule features games against two Scandinavian powerhouses and the host nation, Italy.

Slovakia Men’s Preliminary Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time (Local/CET)	Venue
Wed, Feb 11	vs. Finland	16:40	PalaItalia Santa Giulia
Fri, Feb 13	vs. Italy	12:10	Fiera Milano (Rho)
Sat, Feb 14	vs. Sweden	12:10	PalaItalia Santa Giulia

Latvia at The Olympics

December 20, 2025 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

Latvia has a rich and passionate ice hockey history, often punching above its weight class as a small nation. While they have yet to win an Olympic medal, the team is a perennial fan favorite known for its grit and world-class goaltending.

Olympic Performance History

Latvia has appeared in six Olympic tournaments as an independent nation. Between 1948 and 1992, Latvian players competed as part of the Soviet Union (USSR).

Year	Finish	Notable Moment
1936	13th	Latvia’s Olympic debut in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
2002	9th	A strong return to the Games after 66 years.
2006	12th	Led by captain and NHL legend Kārlis Skrastiņš.
2010	12th	A difficult tournament in Vancouver.
2014	8th	Best-ever finish. Pushed eventual gold-medalist Canada to the brink in a narrow 2–1 quarterfinal loss.
2022	11th	Qualified for Beijing but struggled to find wins in the preliminary rounds.

Latvia at the Olympics Games.

The “Sochi Miracle” (2014)

The 2014 Sochi Olympics remain the high-water mark for Latvian hockey. In the quarterfinals against a star-studded Team Canada, Latvian goaltender Kristers Gudļevskis put on one of the greatest performances in Olympic history, making 55 saves. Latvia held the game at 1–1 until late in the third period, eventually losing 2–1.

Notable Players & Records

Aleksandrs Ņiživijs: Latvia’s all-time leading Olympic scorer with 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) across three tournaments.
Lauris Dārziņš: Holds the record for most Olympic goals for Latvia with 6 goals.
Sandis Ozoliņš: Seven-time NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup winner who came out of retirement to captain the 2014 team at age 41.
Artūrs Irbe: A legendary NHL goaltender and IIHF Hall of Famer who represented Latvia in 2002 and 2006.
Kārlis Skrastiņš: Known as “Ironman,” he was a longtime captain and defensive anchor for the national team.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Winter Olympics

Latvia has successfully qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Qualification: They secured their spot by winning the Final Qualification tournament held in Riga in September 2024, defeating France in the final game.
Group Stage: Latvia is set to compete in Group C alongside the United States, Germany, and Denmark.
Momentum: The team is currently riding a wave of success following their historic Bronze Medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championships.
Latvia’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan is currently being finalized, but the “First Six” core players have already been officially named. Additionally, many players from the successful 2024 Olympic Qualifying team and the 2023 Bronze-medal winning squad are expected to fill the remaining spots.
Official “First Six” Players (Confirmed)
As of late 2025, these six NHL stars were the first to be officially locked into the Olympic roster:
- Elvis Merzļikins (G) – Columbus Blue Jackets
- Artūrs Šilovs (G) – Vancouver Canucks (2023 World Championship MVP)
- Uvis Balinskis (D) – Florida Panthers
- Teodors Bļugers (Teddy Blueger) (F) – Vancouver Canucks
- Zemgus Girgensons (F) – Tampa Bay Lightning
- Rodrigo Ābols (F) – Philadelphia Flyers
Core Players & Recent Qualifiers

The following players were instrumental in Latvia’s 5–2 victory over France in the final Olympic qualification game (September 2024) and are highly likely to lead the team in 2026:

Forwards

Kaspars Daugaviņš (Captain) – A veteran leader and face of the national team.
Dans Ločmelis – A rising star (Boston Bruins prospect) who scored a crucial goal in the qualifiers.
Eduards Tralmaks – Scored in the final qualification match.
Mārtiņš Dzierkals – Known for his speed and energy on the wing.
Roberts Bukarts & Rihards Bukarts – The high-scoring brothers who are constants on the power play.
Rudolfs Balcers – One of Latvia’s most skilled offensive threats.
Miks Indrašis – A creative veteran with significant Olympic experience.

Defensemen

Kristians Rubīns – The hero of the 2023 Bronze medal game; a physical presence.
Jānis Jaks – A mobile, offensive-minded defenseman.
Ralfs Freibergs – A steady veteran presence on the blue line.
Kristaps Zīle – Known for his shot-blocking and defensive grit.
Oskars Cibuļskis – A long-time national team staple.

Goaltenders

Kristers Gudļevskis – The veteran who famously nearly beat Canada in 2014; he remains a reliable third option or backup.
Team Leadership
- Head Coach: Harijs Vītoliņš
- Assistant Coaches: Lauris Dārziņš, Artūrs Irbe, Sandis Ozoliņš, and Petteri Nummelin.

With the Milan Cortina 2026 Games approaching, Latvia will be facing some heavy hitters in Group C. Their schedule is expected to look like this:

USA vs. Latvia
Germany vs. Latvia
Latvia vs. Denmark

The game against Germany will be particularly interesting, as both teams have proven they can disrupt the traditional “Big Six” powerhouse nations.