Way back in July, when the NHL released their initial six players for each country participating in the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games Victor Hedman was a lock to make the roster. Sure, enough the Tampa Bay Lightning’s captain was part of that initial wave of players, and expressed delight at finally being able to represent his country at the preeminent international tournament for hockey.
Also back in July, Lightning fans were still figuring out exactly what role the newly signed Pontus Holmberg would play for the team. Not once did it seem remotely possible that he would be in the Olympic discussion. Even after he established himself as a vital part of the Lightning’s dependable line with Yanni Gourde and Zemgus Girgensons, he wasn’t in the projections. Heck, he didn’t even rate “also considered” in Daily Face-Off’s projected roster.
Yet, when the official roster dropped, Holmberg’s name was there along with Victor Hedman’s. It’s been a solid season for The Backpack (as he was anointed by Gourde for his ability to carry the play on the ice) with 6 goals and 6 assists in 33 games. And while the Swedes might not be as deep as they have been in years past, especially at forward, there was the overwhelming thought that veteran Marcus Johansson had done enough to earn a spot as a depth winger for the team.
Instead, it’s Holmberg, who will be returning to the Olympics for the second straight tournament. Yup, you read that right, Holmberg is now a two-time Olympian, having made the roster for the 2022 team that played in Sochi. He joins Zemgus Girgensons (who was named to Latvia’s initial roster) as the only Lightning player that has prior Olympic experience.
While he wasn’t part of Sweden’s 4 Nations roster last year, Holmberg has plenty of experience playing in a Tre Kronor sweater. He was part of the U20 team in 2019 and has played in World Championships in 2021 and 2024, putting up six assists in 12 appearances.
As for Hedman, who has been recovering from elbow surgery since the middle of December, he will lead a defense that is Sweden’s best hope for upsetting Canada and Team USA. It’s the Big Swede’s first Olympic game after he was passed over in 2014, the last season NHL players participated in the games. He is expected to be healthy in time for the tournament next month.
The Lightning’s team plane over to Italy is getting more crowded by the minute as Holmberg and Hedman join Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, Jake Guentzel, Girgensons, Erik Cernak, and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Jon Cooper, Julien BriseBois, and Dr. Ryan Hamilton will also be heading over there. It’s likely that J.J. Moser will join them as well.
