NHL Superstars Choose Authentic Olympic Village Experience Over Luxury Hotels
In a move that underscores their commitment to the Olympic spirit, Toronto Maple Leafs stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander, alongside teammate Oliver Ekman-Larsson, have decided to forgo high-end hotel accommodations for the duration of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan. Instead, they will reside in the athletes' village, embracing the complete Olympic experience alongside their national team comrades.
Team USA and Sweden Prioritize Unity in Village Living
Both Team USA and Team Sweden have selected the Olympic Village as their base of operations, deliberately choosing shared living spaces to foster team cohesion and replicate the traditional international tournament atmosphere. This decision gains added significance with the return of NHL players to the Olympic ice after a prolonged absence, injecting star power and heightened competition into the Games.
Auston Matthews, who will be centering a line with Jake Guentzel and Matt Boldy during Team USA practices, has already begun his village adventure. He is sharing a room with Dylan Larkin, captain of the Detroit Red Wings and now leader of Team USA. Matthews described the arrangement to reporters, including TSN's Mark Masters, as a "pretty neat" experience, highlighting his long-standing friendship with Larkin.
"We have limited space, but the time we share between meals and free periods creates unique team bonding moments," Matthews explained, emphasizing the value of these shared experiences beyond the rink. Team USA will commence their tournament campaign on Thursday against Latvia.
Swedish Contingent Embraces Dorm-Style Camaraderie
On the Swedish side, William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson are equally committed to village life, actively participating in team activities while residing with their peers. The Swedish setup features an interesting pairing: assistant captain Victor Hedman is rooming with Erik Karlsson, creating a dorm-style arrangement that brings their combined age to 70 years.
Hedman reflected on this unique situation, noting, "I don’t think I’ve had a roommate for over 12 years in the NHL. Combined 70 years old in there. We pretty much grew up together on the national team stage. I first got to know him when I was maybe 13 or 14, and now we’re 35 and living together once again in a dorm."
Nylander is poised to play a crucial scoring role for Sweden as their tournament begins on Wednesday, with the village environment likely enhancing team synergy.
The Olympic Village: A Crucible for Gold Medal Aspirations
By choosing the athletes' village, Matthews, Nylander, and Ekman-Larsson are immersing themselves in an environment where they live not only with teammates but also alongside athletes from other disciplines and nations. This holistic Olympic experience intensifies the tournament atmosphere, transforming the ice into a true battleground for gold.
This decision marks a significant shift from the insulated, hotel-based accommodations often preferred by elite athletes, signaling a return to the communal roots of the Games. As Team USA and Team Sweden embark on their quests for Olympic glory, their shared village life may well become a defining element of their Milan 2026 journey.
