Milwaukee, WI- Seven Admiral Alums are set to take center stage as the world’s best players travel to Milan, Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey tournament. To the excitement of many fans around the world, NHL players are being allowed to compete in the event for the first time in 12 years, paving the way for one of the most anticipated international hockey clashes in some time.
Most notably, Roman Josi of the Admirals parent club, the Nashville Predators will be making the trip to represent Switzerland for his second appearance and first since 2014, the last time NHL players were allowed to participate in the games. In his time with the Admirals, Josi posted an impressive 40 points in the one full season he played with the team. This production carried to the NHL as he is now the Predators’ all-time leading point scorer.
His Swiss counterpart, Kevin Fiala is another impressive Admiral alumni appearing in this year’s tournament. Currently putting together a solid campaign with the LA Kings, posting 40 points in 56 games, this offensive production is no surprise to Milwaukee fans as Fiala gained the reputation of a strong attacking weapon early in his career. While playing in the Admiral sweater, Fiala recorded 89 points across 121 appearances.
Despite only making two appearances for Milwaukee, Simon Knak is another Swiss winger that will be appearing in the Olympics as a former Admiral.
One of Nashville’s current alternate captains, Filip Forsberg, is another Olympian who began his career in Milwaukee. Falling second in all time Predators points behind only Josi, Forsberg is one of many experienced NHL players to be playing in his first Olympics. While the Swedish sniper did not spend much time with the Admirals, he was still able to post a strong 34 points across a 47-appearance campaign.
Another Admiral alum that will garner plenty of attention in this year’s games is Finnish netminder Juuse Saros, who is likely to secure the starting position as the event begins. Saros has been the undoubtable number one in Nashville since the beginning of the 2021 season and boasts an impressive sub three goals against average as well as an above .900 save percentage in that time frame. While in Milwaukee, Saros posted similar numbers, with a 2.24 GAA and .921 save percentage.
His Finnish teammate Eeli Tolvanen also spent much of his early career with the Admirals, playing in Milwaukee for two full seasons and tallying over 70 points. Since moving out to Seattle during the 2022-23 season, Tolvanen has found a bit of his form that he once showed with the Admirals. With 31 points in 55 appearances for the Kraken this season, Tolvanen had done enough to earn himself the call up to represent Finland.
Finally, despite only making four appearances with the Admirals, Matt Bradley gives Milwaukee some representation with this year’s host nation as the center will be looking to utilize their home ice advantage to spark a dark horse run. Currently playing in the ICEHL, Bradley is a member of HC Bolzano a team residing in the North Italian alps, making it a short trip for Bradley to represent his country in their home Olympics.
