Meet the Wild players who are headed to the Olympics men’s hockey tournament

The NHL is back at the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014, and the Wild are sending nearly half their lineup to Milan Cortina to compete for gold.

They’ll also have two players from Iowa in the American Hockey League participating, giving the organization 10 representatives for five countries.

Action begins Feb. 11 with a preliminary round then qualification playoff games to determine the quarterfinal matchups; the semifinals are Feb. 20 and the gold medal finale is Feb. 22.

United States • right wing

Trophy case: Gold at the 2021 world junior championship and bronze at the 2019 Under-18 world championship.

This season: One of the Wild’s most consistent players, Boldy scored a hat trick in the last game before the Olympics to set a career high in goals with 32. He also reached 300 career points ahead of the break, but he has thrived defensively — including on the penalty kill — on a stingy line with fellow Olympians Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson. The 24-year-old’s versatility should come in handy for the Americans.

Going to the Games: “You want to be part of the biggest moments, and obviously it doesn’t get much bigger than that.”

Trophy case: Gold at the 2017 World Championship and bronze at the 2024 World Championship.

This season: As usual, Eriksson Ek has been a handful to play against. He dominates the front of the net on the power play but can shut down the other team’s offensive stars. Eriksson Ek, 29, is an option for Sweden in all situations.

Going to the Games: “It’s going to be fun.”

United States • defense

Trophy case: Gold at the 2021 world juniors.

Going to the Games: “It’s obviously a dream come true. To have an opportunity to play best-on-best at the Olympics, it’s one of the coolest things.”

Sweden • goalie

Trophy case: Gold at the 2018 world championship, silver at the 2018 world juniors and 2016 Under-18 world championship and bronze at the 2024 world championship.

This season: Gustavsson has been rolling since mid-November, going 16-2-4. He also hasn’t suffered a regulation loss in his last 16 home games. At the 4 Nations Face-Off, Gustavsson, 27, was Sweden’s starter for the first two games before getting sidelined due to illness.

Going to the Games: “It’s super exciting.”

This season: Hlavaj has been with the organization since signing a two-year, entry-level contract in 2024. He’s 5-9-4 with a .884 save percentage and 3.33 goals-against average with Iowa. The 24-year-old is joined by Minnesota Duluth goalie Adam Gajan on Team Slovakia.

United States • defense

Trophy case: Norris Trophy in 2024, gold at the 2017 under-18 world championship, bronze at the 2019 and 2018 world juniors and 2018 world championship.

This season: Hughes fit in right away with the Wild after coming over from Vancouver in the blockbuster trade of the NHL season. He’s already set a handful of franchise records for a defenseman, including assists in a game (four) and longest assist and point streaks (10 games and counting). The Olympics will be the first time Hughes, 26, plays on the same team as his younger brother Jack, a forward with New Jersey, since the 2019 world championship.

Going to the Games: “Just to have the two of us at the Olympics, it’s very special, and hopefully we can help the team win.”

Trophy case: Silver at the 2014 Olympics and 2009 world juniors and bronze at the 2025 and 2024 world championship, 2010 world juniors and 2007 Under-18 world championship.

This season: Johansson, 35, was an injury replacement for Sweden, but he could have easily been included from the get-go. He has been one of the Wild’s most reliable players alongside Boldy and Eriksson Ek. His 13 goals are already more than he finished with in each of his previous two seasons.

Going to the Games: “I’m gonna try and make the most of this opportunity, and I’m excited to go there and have a chance to compete for a gold medal, and I’m very honored.”

Czech Republic • defense

Trophy case: Gold at the 2024 world championship and silver at the 2023 world juniors.

Germany • center

Trophy case: Stanley Cup in 2025 with Florida and 2022 with Colorado and silver at the 2023 world championship.

This season: In his return to the Wild, Sturm has been as advertised. The Wild brought the 30-year-old back as a free agent to bolster the penalty kill and improve their faceoff performance, and Sturm has done that. His 55.3 winning percentage on draws is tops among Wild centers.

Going to the Games: “Being an Olympian is kind of like the pinnacle of being an athlete.”

Sweden • goalie

This season: Wallstedt, 23, getting picked for the Olympics is indicative of how consistent he has been. He started the season on a 10-game point streak, went on a seven-game win streak in November and December and has four shutouts. Before the break, he won two in a row, including a 39-save victory at Edmonton.