Ambition, competence, adn a desire to excel are driving Italy’s preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Late this morning, Tuesday, January 20, jukka Jalonen officially announced the squad of the Italian men’s ice hockey team that will compete in Milan Cortina 2026. This marks a important return to Olympic competition for the Finnish coach, who led Finland to a gold medal at the Beijing 2022 Games.
Jalonen is keenly aware of the heightened stakes this year,with the anticipated return of NHL players after a twelve-year absence. After careful consideration, the coach has named a preliminary roster of thirty-five players, dissolving his initial reservations.He briefly shared his thoughts with reporters:
“It wasn’t easy, because the differences between different profiles are subtle, but we are still convinced that we have selected the best possible team for this event – ha detto Jalonen – All the players have been contacted individually, those who will not be present can still play for thier place for the next Top Division World Cup. My idea, and that of the staff, is to have an enlarged group of 35 players from which to identify the right profiles“.
Building a Team, Not Just a Roster
Jalonen emphasizes a holistic approach to team selection, prioritizing adaptability and special-teams play.
The coach stressed his preference for focusing on team dynamics rather than individual accolades. “I never like to talk about individuals; each Italy player will have his role to respect for the good of the group. At the goalie level, for example, I think it is wrong to talk about first, second, or third goalkeeper. We will evaluate training after training and also based on sensations. As far as outfield players are concerned, their ability to play special situations and adapt to the game system is also very crucial.“
Jalonen plans to utilize all players selected, acknowledging that three will be sidelined for each game. He underscored the importance of consistent performance throughout matches. “We plan to use all the players called up, despite knowing that in each match there will be three players who will remain outside the roster. The most important thing, and what we expect, is to have a team that knows how to maintain high continuity within the same match: we don’t look at the score or the single moment, but at the character which is fundamental to never give up and play hard from start to finish.“
Looking ahead, Jalonen identified the defensive pairings as a key area for development. He also plans to closely monitor the fitness levels of players returning from injury. The final roster of 25 players will be announced closer to the start of the Olympic tournament. The Italian men’s ice hockey team is preparing for a challenging competition, but Jalonen’s strategic approach and emphasis on team cohesion suggest a determined effort to contend for a medal.
