If all goes well, Oliver Ekman-Larsson will make his second Olympics in February.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ experienced two-way back is one of a total of eight backs in national team captain Sam Hallam’s Three Crowns squad for the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina 2026.
Tre Kronor announced the squad on January 2, but Ekman-Larsson got the news before Christmas. A nice Christmas present, thought the Swede, who admitted that it was difficult to keep the secret to himself.
– I always had the intention when I entered the season to play well for the Leafs and for my teammates and through that give myself a chance to make the Olympic team, said Ekman-Larsson in connection with the Maple Leafs’ morning warm-up on Tuesday. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it (the Olympics).
– I am extremely proud to have been selected.
Ekman-Larsson has recorded 25 points (7+18) in 41 games in 2025-26 and has been one of the Maple Leafs’ mainstays on the blue line, especially with Christopher Tanev and Brandon Carlo on the injured list for long periods.
However, as mentioned above, the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina 2026 will not be Ekman-Larsson’s first Olympics.
The 34-year-old was there when it last went to NHL players in the Olympics, in 2014, and has a solid grasp of what applies when it comes to such a short tournament.
– You need to be prepared as soon as you land, said Ekman-Larsson. It’s going to be fun, but I’m really going to try and take my experience and share it with the rest of the team to make sure we’re ready when the time comes.
On February 11, the puck drops for Tre Kronor when they take on host nation Italy in the first group stage match.
