For the first time since the Sochi games of 2014, National Hockey League (NHL) players will be featuring at the Olympics, and all 12 participating nations announced the first half-dozen names for their squads for the February event.
The Leijonat have selected three forwards - Sebastian Aho, Aleksander Barkov and Mikko Rantanen - two defenders - Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell - and goaltender, Juuse Saros.
Rantanen, Heiskanen and Lindell will benefit from knowing each other's game perfectly well, as all three ply their trade for the Dallas Stars, who reached this season's Western Conference Finals.
Barkov has gone one better, he is currently captaining the Florida Panthers through their Stanley Cup Finals series against the Edmonton Oilers.
All six featured for the national team at the Four Nations tournament in February of this year, while only Saros was part of the squad that finished seventh at the 2025 World Hockey Championship last month.
"It's an honour to be named to the team. I've always dreamed of qualifying for the Olympics and I'm really looking forward to the tournament. We're going to have a good team and I'm confident we can challenge anyone," said Saros in a press release.
It will be Saros' first Olympic appearance, while Barkov took part at Sochi 2014 and Heiskanen at Pyeongchang 2018.
Finland's squad so far
The following six players were selected on Monday:
Goaltender: Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators)
Defenders: Miro Heiskanen (Dallas Stars), Esa Lindell (Dallas Stars)
Forwards: Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers), Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars), Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes)
Milan-Cortina 2026 will take place from 6-22 February next year. Finland will play in group B against Sweden, Slovakia and Italy.