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.

Grand Rapids Griffins forward Eduards Tralmaks was selected to represent Latvia at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games from Feb. 6-22. Tralmaks, a native of Riga, Latvia, has 18 points (14-4—18), six penalty minutes and a plus-15 rating in 31 ...

RIGA, Latvia (AP) Latvia's Olympic Committee secretary general says a second player on its national men's ice hockey team is suspected to have tested positive for a banned substance at the Sochi Winter Games. Zorzs Tikmers wrote on Twitter: ''I can only ...

The men's hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will begin Wednesday with Team Slovakia playing Team Finland followed by Team Sweden against host Team Italy.

Montréal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovský, left, skates with the puck as Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Johansson (90) defends during overtime in an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. Credit: AP/Matt Krohn

In polling 118 NHL players, the Czech Republic was the top pick, with support also for Switzerland, Germany and Latvia.

After a 12-year hiatus, NHL players are back for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Here's how the 12 countries participating stack up.

The theme of this week's Power Rankings is, for any reason, who is the "top" player from each NHL team that isn't on an Olympic roster going to Milan. How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators,