Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Rosters: Who’s Suiting up for the Big Show in Milan? Part Three.

Part Three.

In part three of Over The Bench Sports, Winter Olympics ice hockey rosters series we will be taking a glimpse into the final rosters that have been released.

We will be looking at the rosters from Slovakia, Germany and Latvia. The majority of the nations above will have a large core of their players who have been selected for Milan-Cortina, that will not have the NHL experience like nations covered in part one and part two of this n

Slovakia:

Slovakia go into this tournament with seven NHL stars in their roster. With big names Juraj Slafvkovsky of the Montreal Canadiens, Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils and two-time Stanley Cup champion Erik Cernak of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Forwards:

The Slovakian forward group features Peter Cehlarik (Leksands IF), Dalibor Dvorsky (St. Louis Blues), Marek Hrivik (Vitkovice Ridera), Libor Hudacek (Ocelari Trinec), Milos Kelemen (Dynamo Pardubice), Adam Liska (Severestal), Oliver Okuliar (Skelleftea AIK), Martin Pospisil (Calgary Flames), Pavol Regenda (San Jose Sharks), Adam Ruzicka (Moskva), Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal Canadiens), Matus Sukel (Verva), Samuel Takac (Bratislava) and Tomas Tatar (EV Zug).

Defence:

The Slovakian defence is made of Peter Ceresnak (Dynamo Pardubice), Erik Cernak (Tampa Bay Lightning), Martin Fehervary (Washington Capitals), Martin Gernat (Yaroslavl), Michal Ivan (Bili Tygri), Patrik Koch (Ocelari Trinec), Martin Marincin (Ocelari Trinec), and Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils).

Goaltenders:

Between the pipes for Slovakia, we've got Adam Gajan from the University of Minnesota Duluth (NCAA), Samuel Hlavaj of Iowa, and Stanislav Skorvanek from Mountfield. It’s worth noting that there aren’t any Slovakia-born goalies currently in the NHL.

Slovakia’s offence and defence is shaping up with a cool mix of seasoned pros and fresh faces. There’s something exciting about having both NHL talent and up-and-coming players working together as they get ready for Milan. This combo could be a game-changer veterans bring steady nerves and grit, while younger players inject energy and a bit of unpredictability. If they can make the most of this vibe, Slovakia might just surprise a few teams on the Olympic ice.

Germany

The Germans go into this Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina with seven NHL on their roster. Most notable in the attacking armoury is 2024-2025 NHL top goalscorer Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton oilers who knows a thing or two about finding the back of the net against the best goaltenders in the world on nightly basis.

Other players who are travelling over from North America are Seattle Kraken goaltender Philpp Grubauer, Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators Tim Stutzle, Nico Sturm of Minnesota Wild, Lukas Reichel of the Vancouver Canucks and JJ Peterka of the NHL’s latest team rebranding Utah Mammoth.

Forwards

Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL), Alexander Ehl and Marc Michaelis from Adler Mannheim (DEL), Dominik Kahun who plays for Lausanne (NL), JJ Peterka representing the Utah Mammoth (NHL), Lukas Reichel from the Vancouver Canucks (NHL), Tobias Rieder and Justin Schutz both with Red Bull Munchen (DEL), Josh Samanski of Bakersfield (AHL), Wojciech Stachowiak from Syracuse (AHL), Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators (NHL), Nico Sturm from the Minnesota Wild (NHL), Frederik Tiffels with Eisbaren Berlin (DEL), and Parker Tuomie from Kolner Haie (DEL).

Defence

Leon Gawanke (Adler Mannheim, DEL), Korbinian Geibel (Eisbaren Berlin, DEL), Lukas Kalble (Adler Mannheim, DEL), Jonas Muller (Eisbaren Berlin, DEL), Moritz Muller (Kolner Haie, DEL), Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings, NHL), Fabio Wagner (Red Bull Munchen, DEL), and Kai Wissmann (Eisbaren Berlin, DEL).

Goaltenders

Among the goaltenders representing Germany at the Winter Olympics, Maximilian Franzreb from Adler Mannheim (DEL), Philipp Grubauer of the Seattle Kraken (NHL), and Mathias Niederberger from Red Bull Munchen (DEL) will be tasked with guarding the net.

Germany will have a good blend of NHL experience and high-calibre performers, alongside players who represent the likes of Adler Manheim and Eisbaren Berlin who are two of the best sides in the Germany top league the DEL. This side should move into the latter stages of the tournament and if their attacking players link up well I can see a semifinal appearance on the cards.

Latvia

Latvia will arrive in Italy for this year Winter Olympics with six NHL players on their roster, spread nicely between their squad to help add calm and strength into their line-up.

Going forward on the attack in Milan-Cortina will be NHL player Rodrigo Abols of the Philadephia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks Teddy Bleuger, Zemgus Girgensons who in 2012 was drafted as the number 14 pick in the 2012 NHL draft making him the highest picked Latvian born player to be selected at the NHL draft. In defence currently with an NHL side is Stanley Cup champion Uvis Balinskis of the Florida Panthers. In between the pipes with some top NHL experience Latvia a graced with Pittsburgh Penguin netminder Artur Silovs  and Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Forwards

Rodrigo Abols from the Philadelphia Flyers, Oskars Batna of Lahti, Rudolfs Balcers from Zurich, Teddy Blueger who plays for the Vancouver Canucks, Roberts Bukarts from Vorarlberg, Kaspars Daugavins of Kassel, Martins Dzierkals from Sparta Praha, Haralds Egle of Karlovy Vary, Zemgus Girgensons of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Renars Krastenbergs from Olomouc, Dans Locmelis of Providence, Anri Ravinskis of Abbotsford, Eduards Tralmaks from Grand Rapids, and Sandis Vilmanis representing Charlotte.

Defence

Uvis Balinskis, who plays for the Florida Panthers, brings championship pedigree to the squad. Oskars Cibulskis of Herning, Ralfs Freibergs from Vitkovice, and Janis Jaks of Karlovy Vary also add strong experience. Joining them are Roberts Mamcics from Karlovy Vary, Kristaps Rubins who skates for Plzen, Alberts Smits of Jukurit, and Kristaps Zile from Bili Tygri Liberec.

Goaltenders

Kristers Gudlevskis of Bremerhaven, Elvis Merzlikins from the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Arturs Silovs representing the Pittsburgh Penguins will be responsible for guarding Latvia’s net at the tournament. Their combined experience in both European leagues and the NHL should provide Latvia with a solid last line of defence.