Finnish Defenceman Skates Solo in Milan Ahead of Olympic Hockey Tournament
In an unusual scene at the Santagiulia practice rink in Milan, Finnish defenceman Mikko Lehtonen found himself with an entire Olympic hockey facility to himself. With his National Hockey League teammates still an ocean away, the 32-year-old veteran became the only player to participate in Finland's scheduled practice session ahead of the 2026 Winter Games.
The Lone Champion Returns
Lehtonen holds a unique position on the Finnish roster as the only player returning from the country's gold medal-winning 2022 Olympic squad. While his 24 NHL-bound teammates prepared for their transatlantic journey, Lehtonen – who currently plays professionally in Switzerland – took advantage of available ice time to maintain his competitive edge.
"Oh lots of reps," Lehtonen remarked with a laugh following his solitary workout, which was supervised by assistant coach Ville Peltonen. "But it was good to get on the ice. Lots of good drills, good time with Ville. But I would rather have a couple more guys in there. And goalies too."
From Flag Bearer to Solo Skater
The practice came just one day after Lehtonen served as Finland's flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Games. The defenceman, who spent part of the 2020-21 season with both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets, described the honour as humbling.
"It was cool. An amazing experience," Lehtonen reflected. "I think that's one of the biggest you can get as an athlete, carrying your flag in an Olympic ceremony."
Different Team, Same Goal
Despite being labeled as defending champions, Lehtonen emphasized that the 2026 Finnish squad represents a completely different team composition. "Like we're defending champions, but it was for four years ago, we have a completely different team and just a new tournament," he explained. "It's gonna be whole different game with best on best, I would say."
The defenceman acknowledged the team's aspirations while maintaining perspective: "But, obviously, we would like to repeat it, and that's why we're here. And hopefully we can do it."
While solo practices typically occur during injury rehabilitation, Lehtonen's unique circumstance resulted from logistical timing rather than physical limitation. His dedication to preparation underscores the serious approach Finland brings to defending their Olympic hockey gold medal.
As NHL players gradually arrive in Milan for the tournament, Lehtonen's solitary session serves as a reminder of the individual commitment required for team success at the highest level of international competition.
