In a major announcement on Thursday, the German Ice Hockey Federation officially confirmed its complete 25-player men's ice hockey team for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. This marks a significant moment as the National Hockey League (NHL) returns to the Olympic stage for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games, allowing the Germans to assemble what is being hailed as their strongest squad ever.
A Roster Packed with NHL Superstars
The German lineup is headlined by an impressive contingent of elite NHL talent, transforming the team into a genuine medal contender. Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers stands as the marquee name. The NHL's highest-paid player, earning $14 million annually, brings formidable offensive power, having just completed his 11th straight season with at least 50 points.
He is joined by Tim Stützle, the dynamic 23-year-old center for the Ottawa Senators, who has rapidly become one of the league's premier young stars, amassing 359 points in his first 399 career games. The forward group is further bolstered by Buffalo Sabres' scoring threat John Peterka, Minnesota Wild's two-time Stanley Cup champion Nico Sturm, and Vancouver Canucks' Lukas Reichel.
The complete list of forwards also includes Alexander Ehl, Dominik Kahun, Marc Michaelis, Tobias Rieder, Joshua Samanski, Justin Schutz, Wojciech Stachowiak, Frederik Tiffels, and Parker Tuomie, creating a deep and versatile attack.
Leadership from the Blue Line and Between the Pipes
On defense, Detroit Red Wings' Moritz Seider takes charge. The former Calder Trophy winner, who captained Germany at the 2025 World Championship, will be the defensive cornerstone. He confidently stated in August that "this is probably the best German team who ever stepped on the ice together." He will be supported by a defensive unit comprising Leon Gawanke, Korbinian Geibel, Lukas Kälble, Jonas Müller, Moritz Müller, Fabio Wagner, and Kai Wissmann.
In goal, Germany boasts considerable experience and skill. The net will be guarded by former Vezina Trophy winner Philipp Grubauer of the Seattle Kraken, alongside Maximilian Franzreb and Mathias Niederberger, forming a reliable goaltending tandem.
Germany's Path to Olympic Glory
With this formidable mix of top-tier NHL talent and seasoned European professionals, Germany presents a legitimate threat to traditional powerhouses like the United States and Canada. The national team has been placed in Group C for the preliminary round, where they will face Latvia, Denmark, and the United States. The matchup against Team USA is anticipated to be their toughest test in the group stage.
The ice hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina Olympics is scheduled to run from February 11 to 22, 2026. The German team's quest for a historic Olympic gold medal begins on February 5, and the nation is buzzing with excitement over the potential of this golden generation of players.
