Italy’s projection lineup for the 2026 Winter Olympics – Hockey Writer – Olympics

Unlike most countries, for the Italian team, there is a simple goal at the 2026 Winter Olympics: avoid embarrassment. With no NHL player expected to be a team, a win will be very difficult.

That being said, there are many reasons for optimism. First, with the Olympics being held in Milan, they will be in their homes in every match. In addition, they will be led by substitute owner Jukka Jalonen, who is one of the decorative coaches of international hockey in recent years: mainly as the coach of Finland teams in 13 major international championships, including the 2022 Olympics, where they won gold.

Damian Clara, Diego Kostner, Thomas Larkin, Daniel Mantenuto, Tommy Purdeller and Luca Zanatta have been appointed to the roster. This is how the rest of the lineup can be shaped.

Other 2026 Olympic lineup predictions:

The expected Italian roster

It is important to note that the Winter Olympics will not be held until February 2026, so there is still time. Return, progress and harm may be Actual The roster will look like it. That being said, you should be familiar with some of these names because they want to give Italian hockey some of the “most memorable moments.”

Italy’s last Olympics was in 2006, when they failed to win but finished 11th in 12 points, thanks to Latvia, and Switzerland and Germany. Their last Olympic victory was on February 10, 1998 to beat Austria 5-2.

Even with all odds, don’t count this Italian team. Much of this group is full of veterans who have experience in NHL games in some of the World Championships.

Goalkeeper Damian Clara is the first Italian-born player ever (Anaheim Ducks, Vol. 2, 2023), and will be a true X-factor. He hosted an impressive .914 percent savings (SV%) in 17 international matches in Italy. Last season, he loaned 0.910 SV for Kärpät in Liiga, Finland. At the end of the season, he also played two games against the American Hockey League (AHL). It’s a tough place as the Olympics will start a few days after the end of the 21 year old. But he has the original talent to be able to keep the Italians in the matches they have won.

Experienced Daniel Tedesco has put forward considerable offensive numbers for every stop throughout his career, including four goals and eight points in just five games in the 2025 D1A world, second out of 120 skaters in the game. Tommy Purdeller is only 21 years old and is a player in every game in the D1A world. Two seasons ago, he scored 47 points in 63 games in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), which could be a major offense for the Italians.

Despite lack of NHL experience, many of these players often match the former NHLER and top prospects in various European leagues. The level of competition is still high. This is proven on certain occasions in recent years, such as the 2019 World Championships, when they defeated Austria in a gunfight.

The last sentence

This Italian team is one of the greatest international hockey minds with seniors, home advantage and one of the greatest international hockey minds, which is the Italian squad that will surely fight.

In the preliminary round, Italy will adopt Sweden, Slovakia and Finland. It is undeniable that Sweden and Finland will be nearby Impossible Defeat, but they will at least have a chance against Slovakia. In the 2017 world, Italy won 2-1 with a score of 1:07, competing with the Slovakia team, but collapsed very late. However, Slovakia will be heavier than it was at that time.

Coach Jaleonen won two world championship gold medals, leading a team that is mostly non-Nhlers to surpass their opponents. His team always plays a firm and tense defensive game. All it might take is a few pairs of crowd wins that bring Italy and its home court to always remember.

Other potential options/may miss cuts: Domenic Alberga, Raphael Andergassen, Anthony Bardaro, Lorenzo Casetti, Diego Cuglietta, Ivan De Luca, Tommaso De Luca, Patrick Demetz, Giordano Finoro, Daniel Gellon, Matteo Gennaro, Gregorio Gios, Mike Halmo, Dante Hannoun, Simon Kostner, Enrico Larcher, Alan Lobis, Matthias Mantinger, Michele Marchetti, Angelo Miceli, Kris Pietroniro, Filippo Rigoni, Anthony Salinitri, Jason Seed, Alessandro Segafredo, Peter Speter Spornberger, Gianluca Vallinii

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