As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina approaches, fans of the Vancouver Canucks already have a few reasons to tune in. Three current players have officially secured their spots on national rosters. Defenseman Quinn Hughes will represent Team USA, making his Olympic debut. Meanwhile, forward Teddy Blueger and goaltender Artūrs Šilovs will don the Latvian jersey, continuing their commitment to international play—Blueger notably captained Latvia during the 2022 Olympic qualifiers.
However, those three are likely just the beginning. Given the talent pool in Vancouver, several other Canucks players are expected to draw interest from their respective national teams as final Olympic rosters are built out. Here’s a closer look at which players might be Olympic-bound when the puck drops in Italy.
Pius Suter – Switzerland
Swiss forward Pius Suter has made a strong case for himself to be included in Switzerland’s full Olympic lineup. Although he wasn’t among the initial six players named to the team, his performance during the 2024–25 NHL season makes him a strong contender. Suter was a consistent presence for Vancouver, finishing fifth in team scoring with 46 points in 81 games. He also tied with Brock Boeser for second in goals, netting 25 over the regular season.
Suter’s versatility — he can be used in multiple roles, both offensively and defensively — adds to his appeal. He’s a reliable two-way forward who is also financially efficient, making him a desirable piece not only in the NHL but on the international stage as well. Unless injuries or significant dips in form occur, it’s likely Suter will eventually make the cut for Team Switzerland.
Filip Hronek – Czechia
Czech defenseman Filip Hronek is another Canuck with a strong Olympic case. Although he wasn’t among the first six players named to Czechia’s Olympic roster — a group that includes NHL stars like David Pastrňák and Martin Nečas — his value on the blue line remains high. In the 2024–25 season, Hronek was asked to step up in the absence of team captain Quinn Hughes, taking on an increased workload. He responded by averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice time per game and tallying 33 points in 61 games.
Internationally, Hronek played a major role for Czechia during the 2025 IIHF World Championship, often logging the most minutes on the team. His international experience, combined with his solid play in the NHL, makes him a likely candidate for Czechia’s Olympic defense corps in 2026.
Kevin Lankinen – Finland
Goaltender Kevin Lankinen had a breakout year with the Canucks in 2024–25. Playing in a career-high 51 games, he earned 25 wins and recorded a .902 save percentage along with a 2.62 goals-against average. His stability in net earned him a spot on Team Finland for the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament, where he helped lead Finland to a win after replacing an underperforming Juuse Saros.
Lankinen faces stiff competition for the Olympic roster, with other Finnish netminders like Ville Husso, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Joonas Korpisalo in the mix. However, if Lankinen can carry his momentum into the 2025–26 NHL season, there’s a strong possibility he could claim one of the goaltending slots for Finland.
Filip Chytil – Czechia
Another Czech player with Olympic aspirations is Filip Chytil. The forward joined Vancouver more recently and has yet to make his Olympic debut for Czechia, though he has played in other international competitions. His NHL season was disrupted by a concussion sustained from a hit by former Canuck Jason Dickinson, but Chytil still managed to notch six points in his first 15 games with Vancouver.
Chytil’s ability to contribute offensively when healthy makes him a dark horse for the Czech Olympic squad. If he remains in good form and avoids further injury, he could very well join Hronek as part of Czechia’s Olympic effort.
Elias Pettersson – Sweden
Elias Pettersson’s Olympic chances seemed like a lock a year ago, but a disappointing 2024–25 NHL season has cast some doubt. Injuries and other personal challenges contributed to a downturn in production — Pettersson posted just 15 goals and 30 assists in 64 games. This was a noticeable dip from the elite-level play expected of him.
Despite the regression, Pettersson remains a player of high caliber. He has shown flashes of brilliance, and with a full offseason to recover and refocus, he’s still expected to be on Sweden’s Olympic radar. To cement his spot, however, he’ll need to return to form early in the 2025–26 season.
Thatcher Demko – USA
Thatcher Demko’s Olympic hopes are perhaps the most uncertain of all the Canucks with potential. Team USA’s goaltending trio of Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman appears relatively set. But as always with goaltenders, things can change quickly due to injuries or shifts in form.
Before injuries interrupted his season, Demko was in Vezina Trophy contention, ultimately finishing as the runner-up behind Hellebuyck. When healthy, Demko proved himself as one of the top American goalies in the NHL. If he can put together a strong, consistent start to the 2025–26 season and stay injury-free, he could very well force his way into consideration, especially if one of the current frontrunners falters.
Looking Ahead
With several Vancouver Canucks already committed to their national teams for the 2026 Winter Olympics and others on the bubble, fans in British Columbia and beyond will have plenty of reasons to watch. As the next NHL season unfolds, performances at both the team and individual levels will likely dictate who else earns a plane ticket to Italy. From veterans to up-and-comers, the Canucks could be one of the most well-represented NHL teams at the Olympics — a testament to the talent the organization has cultivated in recent years.
