The Vancouver Canucks will have a significant presence at the upcoming Winter Games, with two more of their players receiving official Olympic call-ups. Star centre Elias Pettersson and goaltender Kevin Lankinen have been selected to represent Sweden and Finland, respectively, at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. The men's hockey tournament is scheduled to begin on February 11, 2026.
Expected Selections Confirmed for Milan
The announcements, made on January 2, 2026, came as little surprise to hockey observers. For Finland, Lankinen's inclusion was a foregone conclusion. He has solidified himself as one of the nation's top three netminders, a status he reinforced by playing for Finland at last year's 4 Nations Face-off tournament.
He will join fellow Finnish goalies Juuse Saros and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on the roster. Saros is widely expected to be the team's starter, with Lankinen positioned as the likely backup.
On the Swedish side, Pettersson's selection was confirmed after a season of resurgent play. His strong two-way performance for the Canucks in the 2025-26 season erased any doubts that lingered from a less impactful 2024-25 campaign, which included a minimal role in last year's 4 Nations tournament.
Growing List of Canucks Olympians
Pettersson and Lankinen are technically the third and fourth Canucks players slated for the Milan Games. Former captain Quinn Hughes was named last summer as one of the initial six selections for Team USA, while forward Lukas Reichel was previously picked by Germany.
The roster landscape has shifted, however. Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild in December 2025, and Reichel, acquired from Chicago earlier in the season, was demoted to the American Hockey League last month.
The Canucks' Olympic contingent is expected to grow further. Defenceman Filip Hronek is anticipated to be named to the Czechia roster when it is announced in the coming days. Additionally, centre Teddy Blueger remains a possibility for Latvia, contingent on his recovery from a current leg injury.
Focus Shifts to Olympic Preparation
With the official nods now in hand, Pettersson and Lankinen can begin their mental preparation for the international stage. The Olympic selection is a significant honour for both players, recognizing their elite skill and consistent performance.
For the Canucks organization, having multiple players participate in the Olympics is a point of pride, highlighting the caliber of talent on the roster. The team and its fans will be watching closely as their stars compete for gold in Italy next month.
