The Dallas Stars entered the Olympic break last week with a 34-14-9 record, winning seven of their last 10, including six in a row. After a tough start to 2026, the Stars have since been playing some of their best hockey of the season, despite some tough third periods, which makes the timing of this break less than ideal. At the same time, however, the schedule has been rigorous. The vibes are high coming into this break, and it might be just what this team needs to rest and reset before an intense finish to the season.
Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey Tournament
Not everyone gets to rest, though. The Stars are sending seven players to the 2026 Winter Olympics, spanning four countries. If you’re an American, I understand if you find it hard to root for Thomas Harley and Team Canada. However, with four members of the Stars representing Finland, I feel like the entire state of Texas will be turning into honorary Finns for the next three weeks.
Here is a breakdown of every player and when they will be playing. I get it, go USA, but don’t feel unpatriotic if you find yourself rooting for your boys until they play the red, white, and blue.
Team USA
Jake Oettinger
Out of all of the Stars going to Milano-Cortina, Jake Oettinger is probably the one that has garnered the most discussion and debate. Not because we didn’t know if he would be on the team, or because he doesn’t deserve it. We did, and he does. But because he is one of three netminders representing the United States (Connor Hellebuyck and Jeremy Swayman are the others), and the No. 1 goalie isn’t as clear-cut as it once was.
Hellebuyck started at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, but between battling injuries this season and not having the Vezina-caliber campaign that we are used to, the door was wide open for Oettinger to take the starting role. At the beginning of the season, it seemed like he would be the obvious choice to start if they did pivot from Hellebuyck.
While he’s had a decent season, 23-10-4 with a .897 save percentage (SV%), a 2.73 goals-against average (GAA), and fourth in the NHL in wins, Oettinger hasn’t been as sharp as he would like, leaving the opportunity to start wide open for anyone. While Oettinger has the pedigree, both in the regular season and playoffs, Swayman has had a terrific season and has as good a shot as anyone to start in Italy.
Make no mistake, Oettinger is one of the best goaltenders in the world. All I’m saying is that competition between the pipes for Team USA is alive and well, and no one goalie is guaranteed a start, let alone to be the starter.
Oettinger doesn’t have a ton of international experience as far as games played, but when his number has been called upon, he has been phenomenal. In 10 games in junior tournaments, he was 8-1-0 with a 2.14 GAA and a .927 SV%, winning two golds, two bronze, and one silver along the way. In senior tournaments, he is 3-1-0 with a 1.55 GAA and a .929 SV%, and won bronze at the 2021 World Championship.
Before the Team USA roster was announced in December, Oettinger was asked about his desire to play for his country in the Olympics, and it makes you think of a kid who’s dreaming big.
“It would be the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”
When to Watch Jake Oettinger and Team USA
- Feb. 12: Latvia vs United States, 3:10 p.m.
- Feb. 14: United States vs Denmark, 3:10 p.m.
- Feb. 15: United States vs Germany, 3:10 p.m.
*All times EST*
Team Canada
Thomas Harley
Last February, Harley was a mid-tournament addition to the 4 Nations Face-Off due to an injury to Shea Theodore. Before then, there’s no doubt that Harley was a beloved player in Dallas, but I think it’s fair to say he was largely underrated when it came to fans across the league. Playing in a market like Texas will do that to you unfortunately, but Harley has made more than a name for himself since last February.
Harley said as much this past October.
“The 4 Nations was pretty cool,” Harley said of the tournament. “I think it was eye-opening for me that I could play at that level and eye-opening for the rest of the world, like, ‘who’s this kid from Dallas?’ It was great for me and it definitely gives me a leg up on this (Olympic) team.”
After breaking out offensively in his first two full seasons, Harley’s injury earlier in the season has slowed down his numbers in 2025-26. However, after only six points in 17 games through November and December, Harley had seven points in 15 games in January, and two points in two games in February and seems to be back to his 2024-25 form.
Harley does not have a ton of international experience, which should make all of you Stars fans super proud that he has been given the nod so early in his career. In 19 games in junior tournaments, Harley had two goals and five points, and helped bring home the silver medal in the 2021 World Junior Championship. In last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, Harley had one assist, which was in the tournament-winning game against the Americans.
Harley was born and raised in Syracuse, New York, but his parents and family were Canadian. He holds his Canadian heritage very closely and is very honored to represent Canada at the Olympics in front of his family.
“I’m looking forward to another chance to wear the maple leaf,” said Harley. “And I am also looking forward to playing in front of my grandmother, who is a very proud Canadian.”
When to Watch Harley and Team Canada
- Feb. 12: Czechia vs Canada, 10:40 a.m.
- Feb. 13: Canada vs Switzerland, 3:10 p.m.
- Feb. 15: Canada vs France, 10:40 a.m.
*All times EST*
Team Czechia
Radek Faksa
We all know about Oettinger, Harley, and the plethora of Finns that we will be talking about later. However, the most underrated addition to an Olympic roster is Radek Faksa, who will be playing for the equally underrated Team Czechia.
After spending the first nine years of his career in Dallas, Faksa joined the St. Louis Blues for the 2024-25 season, only to rejoin the Stars ahead of this season. He has two goals and 17 points in 56 games. While the Stars would love to see a bit more offense from him, he has been a stable addition to the bottom-six, which is probably where he will find himself in Italy.
Faksa played international hockey on some level from 2011-2019, but hasn’t dressed in his country’s colors since then. In junior tournaments, Faksa had three goals and five points in 23 games. In senior tournaments, he has one goal and seven points in 19 games.
In the eyes of many, Team Czechia is the underdog that can be a thorn in the side of all of the top teams in the tournament. Faksa feels that way, too.
“We are not favorites, that’s clear,” Faksa said. “But I think we have a lot of good hockey players, even those who play in Europe. I believe that if it fits, we have a chance against everyone.”
When to Watch Faksa and Team Czechia
- Feb. 12: Czechia vs Canada, 10:40 a.m.
- Feb. 13: France vs Czechia, 10:40 a.m.
- Feb. 15: Switzerland vs Czechia, 6:10 a.m.
*All times EST*
Team Finland
Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The history of Finnish players in Dallas is something that both the franchise and the players are very proud of, and it’s really cool that four of them will be making the trip. Funny enough, Team Finland general manager, Jere Lehtinen, was a Star for his entire career.
Mikko Rantanen
Mikko Rantanen is the newest member of the “Finnish Mafia” in Dallas and will join the rest of the gang in Italy. The 29-year-old has 20 goals and 69 points in 54 games this season, which is his first full season in Dallas after being traded from the Carolina Hurricanes last March.
As expected, Rantanen will be wearing the “A” in his first go around at the Olympics, and is currently projected to be on Roope Hintz’s wing opposite Mikael Granlund, who was named captain. Considering this was a dominant line at the end of last season and into the playoffs, it’s safe to assume that chemistry will not take long to find.
In junior tournaments, Rantanen had 14 goals and 28 points in 26 games. In senior tournaments, he has 10 goals and 32 points in 34 games.
In an interview with Sharks Hockey Digest before his Stars played the San Jose Sharks back in December, Rantanen expressed his excitement to represent his country.
“Dream come true. Those are games, especially in Finland, you always watched,” Rantanen said. “I remember watching growing up, Team Finland was a really big deal. It will be a dream come true.”
Miro Heiskanen
Miro Heiskanen is a rare returnee to the Olympics, as he played for Team Finland in 2018 before he was drafted into the NHL.
After having a down season in 2024-25, mostly due to injuries, Heiskanen has seven goals and 46 points in 55 games this season and has quickly returned to form as one of the best defensemen in the NHL.
In junior tournaments, Heiskanen had two goals and 20 points in 30 games. In senior tournaments, he has two goals and 10 points in 19 games, and helped bring home the gold at the 2022 World Championship.
At the European media tour in August, Heiskanen was asked about having his fellow Stars with him on Team Finland.
“I mean, it helps a lot,” Heiskanen said. “We have played together – especially Roope (Hintz) and Esa (Lindell) – for a long time, now with Mikko too. It’s easier to have someone with you all the time and to get there (to the Olympics) together and play there.”
Esa Lindell
Esa Lindell is the backbone of the Dallas defense and their penalty kill, and will no doubt have the same responsibility for Team Finland. He is projected to be on the top pairing alongside Heiskanen.
So far this season, Lindell has five goals and 22 points, putting him 10 points behind his career high.
In junior tournaments, Lindell has three goals and 12 points in 19 games. In senior tournaments, he has the same stats in 28 games.
When asked about going to the Olympics, it is obvious that this experience will not be lost on him.
“There are lists of athletes who have gone to the Olympics that (it’s like they) won the lottery,” Lindell said. “So that’s kind of stuck in my mind, how small of a percentage it is back home. It shows how unique it is and kind of a rare opportunity to go.”
Roope Hintz
I feel like I’ve said this a lot, but Roope Hintz may be one of the most underrated centermen in the NHL, yet year after year, he is as steady and consistent as they come. Hintz has 15 goals and 44 points so far this season.
Internationally, Hintz does not have a lot of experience, other than two World Junior Championships in 2015 and 2016 and the 4 Nations Face-Off last season. At the World Juniors, Hintz had three goals and six points in 12 games and won the gold in 2016.
“It’s nice to be announced to the team,” Hintz said. “It’s one of the biggest things you can do is play for your country in a sport you love to do.”
When to Watch the Finnish Mafia
- Feb. 11: Slovakia vs Finland, 10:40 a.m.
- Feb. 13: Finland vs Sweden, 6:10 a.m.
- Feb. 14: Finland vs Italy, 10:40 a.m.
*All times EST*
It’s Going to Be a Wild Ride
Well, there you have it. There might not be any NHL hockey, but the Stars are so well represented that you won’t even notice they’re gone.
The Stars are back in action on Feb. 25 against the Seattle Kraken at the American Airlines Center.
