Even before the cauldron flame is officially lit in Italy for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games on February 6, the puck will drop for the much-anticipated women’s ice hockey tournament a day earlier, with men’s action beginning the following week. And there will be plenty of chances to root for athletes who have worn the maroon and gold of the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Bulldogs.

Between UMD and the Twin Cities campus, 21 former or current hockey players — women and men— will be suiting up either for the red, white and blue of Team USA or a host of other competing nations.

Here is a rundown of UMD hockey players competing in the Olympics. Women’s hockey begins on February 5 and men’s hockey on February 11.

Hockey

Of the 21 hockey players from the University, nine are from UMD. Current Bulldog players and alumni will be representing five countries. Four Bulldogs will play for Team Sweden: junior defenseman Ida Karlsson, senior forward Thea Johansson, and former goaltenders Tindra Holm and All-American Emma Soderberg. Two-time Bulldog All-American defenseman Jocelyne Larocque will be appearing in her fourth Olympics for Team Canada — Team USA’s biggest rival. All-American Lara Stalder will be playing for Switzerland, Nina Jobst-Smith for Germany and Katerina Mrázová for Czechia. UMD sophomore goaltender for the Bulldogs Men’s Hockey, Adam Gajan, will be playing for Slovakia.

Curling

While it’s not an intercollegiate sport (we could only wish), eight athletes with University of Minnesota connections will be competing for Team USA in curling, and three of them are Bulldogs.

Representing UMD on Team USA’s curling teams are Cory Thiesse, Aileen Geving and Korey Dropkin.

Learn more about Bulldogs women's hockey players at the Milano Cortina Olympics, or check out all the University of Minnesota maroon and gold in Milano.

Fans can follow Team USA throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics across NBCUniversal's coverage, led by NBC and its affiliate networks. Every event will also be livestreamed and available on demand on Peacock. Daily broadcast schedules are available at nbcolympics.com/schedule, and here is the schedule for hockey.