Five Ottawa Senators Named To 2026 Olympic Rosters

Five Ottawa Senators players have been named to 2026 Olymic Rosters for their respective countries, including three forwards and two defecemen.

While no players from the Nations Capital made Team Canada, here are the players headed to Milan, Italy this spring.

USA - Brady Tkachuk

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was among the first six players named to Team USA last June, alongside his brother Matthew (FLA), as well as Jack Eichel (VGK), Quinn Hughes (MIN), Auston Matthews (TOR), and Charlie McAvoy (BOS).

This came as little surprise, following Brady's performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February. The Tkachuk brothers are arguably the faces of USA hockey.

Despite missing 20 games at the beginning of the season due to a torn ligament in his thumb, Tkachuk has rebounded to tally 18 points (6G, 12A) in 19 games and is the heartbeat of the Senators.

There's every chance Tkachuk may end up with a letter on his jersey for Team USA.

USA - Jake Sanderson

Joining Tkachuk on Team USA is defenceman Jake Sanderson.

Despite not being initially named to Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sanderson joined the team following injuries to Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy, and even scored a goal during USA's 3-2 overtime loss to Canada in the final.

Sanderson has continued to cement himself as a legit number-one defenceman for the Senators this season, amassing 28 points (8G, 20A) in 39 games while leading the team in average time on ice at 25:09.

Sanderson previously competed at the Olympics in Beijing in 2022, though NHL players were absent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Germany - Tim Stützle

It came as no surprise to see Tim Stützle named to Team Germany, when they announced their initial six players over the summer.

Currently riding an 11-game point streak (8G, 10A during that span), the Senators number-once center has been the team's most valuable player this season. With a team-leading 42 points (19G, 23A) in 39 games, Stützle has regained the offensive form that saw him tally 90 points during the 2022-23 season.

Not only this, but Viersen, Ger. native's faceoff win percentage has climbed to 55.3% and he's ripping the puck more than in prior seasons, with a team-leading 99 shots on goal.

Germany is still growing as a hockey nation, but this will easily be the best international team they've ever iced with the likes of Stützle, Leon Draisaitl (EDM), Moritz Seider (DET), and JJ Peterka (UTA) leading the way.

Finland - Nikolas Matinpalo

Nikolas Matinpalo began last season with the Belleville Senators in the American Hockey League. Three years ago he was playing in Liiga. Now, he's heading to the Olympics.

After proving himself as an everyday NHL player last season, Matinpalo was a fill-in for an injury-riddled Finish blueline at the 4 Nations. He didn't look out of place against the best talent the NHL has to offer.

Following that up with a trip to the World Championships last summer, Matinpalo has earned the call for Team Finland once again.

Far from the flashiest offensive player (8P in 73 NHL games), Matinaplo has proven himself as a reliable defender, especially alongside Tyler Kleven on the Senators' third pair and will likely play a similar role for Finland in Milan.

Denmark - Lars Eller

Another Senator named to his Olympic team over the summer was Lars Eller with Team Denmark.

Signed to a one-year deal in free agency, Eller has been the perfect fourth line centre for the Senators, capable of moving up the lineup when called upon.

The Rodovre, Den. native's six points in 28 games are more of a bonus, as the 36 year-old is relied upon mostly for his defensive play and penalty killing abilities. Though he will very likely see an elevated role for Team Denmark.

Currently out with a broken foot suffered when blocking a shot against Columbus on Dec. 11, Eller is expected back in the Senators lineup before the Olympic break.

It should be noted that Denmark has not yet revealed their full Olympic roster, and Belleville Senators goaltender Mads Søgaard may join Eller on the final roster.