Italy's Olympic hockey roster, as NHL players return to Olympics, is quite unfamiliar originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Italy is hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, and that means its teams get to participate across the board.

William Nylander broke a tie late in the second period and Team Sweden survived a scare from Team Italy, winning 5-2 at Santagiulia Arena in the Group B opener for each team at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on Wednesday.

Sweden took home the silver medal the last time NHL players were allowed to participate in the Winter Games, and is seeking their first gold since 2006, the last time the Olympics were held in Italy.

Italy opens up the tournament against the Swedes on Wednesday in the biggest David vs. Goliath matchup in the preliminaries.

Italy's Winter Olympics promised sustainability. But in Cortina, environmentalists warn the Games could scar these mountains for decades.

Italian duo Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer zoomed to victory in the inaugural Olympics luge women's doubles on Wednesday, picking up a third gold so far for the hosts. While women could theoretically have competed in doubles at previous Winter Games given it was an open category,

The final quarterfinal spot from Group B will be determined on Wednesday, as Italy takes on Germany on the last day of the preliminary round of the women’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics.