The most prominent Latvia-born players to reach the NHL are defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, who helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 1996 and played 875 games in 15 NHL seasons, and goalie Arturs Irbe, who had 218 wins and 33 shutouts in 13 seasons.

Before Olympic hockey begins, a few NHL stars took a moment to share their dream alternate sports.

In January, Vilmanis, 21, earned a spot on Latvia's Olympic team. Days later, he reached another milestone with his NHL debut for the Panthers. Now he's preparing to showcase Latvia's maroon and white jersey on the world's biggest stage.

NHL stars have landed in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics. This marks the league's return after a 12-year break. Players from top nations like Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland are preparing for the tournament.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is in full flow in Milano Cortina and The Athletic is here to take you every step of the way. We’ve got you covered through all the week’s events at the games from ice hockey to curling, as well as the weekend’s NBA All-Star game, with plenty more to enjoy in between.