Gabriel Landeskog Returns as First Player Named to Tre Kronor for 2026 Olympics
Gabriel Landeskog leads the first selected players for Sweden's ice hockey team in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.
Key Points
- • Gabriel Landeskog makes a comeback to the national team after three years away due to injuries.
- • Six players named to the preliminary roster for the Olympics include top NHL talent.
- • The ice hockey tournament will be held in Milan from February 11 to 22, 2026.
- • Head coach Sam Hallam expresses excitement over Landeskog's selection and leadership qualities.
In a significant announcement, Gabriel Landeskog has been selected as one of the first players for the Swedish men’s national ice hockey team, Tre Kronor, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. After enduring nearly three years of injuries and rehabilitation, Landeskog is making a much-anticipated return to the ice, bringing his skills and leadership back to the team.
Landeskog, 32, who plays for the Colorado Avalanche, last took to the rink during the Stanley Cup final in 2022. His road to recovery involved multiple surgeries on his knee, making his Olympic selection poignant. Head coach Sam Hallam expressed both surprise and excitement regarding Landeskog's positive response to the Olympic selection, emphasizing the importance of his experience. "We know what Gabriel stands for in terms of leadership, competition, and toughness. We are very happy to have him back in Tre Kronor," Hallam stated.
Alongside Landeskog, the initial roster includes five other notable players: Rasmus Dahlin from the Buffalo Sabres, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, William Nylander from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings, and Adrian Kempe from the Los Angeles Kings. Hallam noted Kempe's remarkable performance in prior tournaments as indicative of his value to the team.
The Olympic ice hockey tournament is set to occur from February 11 to 22, 2026, with Sweden competing in a group alongside Finland, Italy, and Slovakia. Landeskog shared his thoughts on returning to international competition, saying, "The past few years have been a journey for me. I am very grateful to be back on the ice – but also hungry for more. It feels significant and honorable to have this chance at such a major event as the Olympics."
As the team begins to take shape, fans are eager to see how this veteran group will perform on the international stage.