When the puck drops at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, two familiar faces from the Carolina Hurricanes will be skating under a different flag-and with a whole nation behind them. Goaltender Frederik Andersen and forward Nikolaj Ehlers are trading in their Hurricanes red for the red-and-white of Team Denmark, ready to represent their home country on the world’s biggest hockey stage.
This isn’t just a symbolic switch. It’s a meaningful moment for both players, who will help lead Denmark into its second-ever Olympic men’s hockey tournament. And while Olympic hockey officially begins on February 11, the journey for Andersen and Ehlers has been building for months.
A Shared Locker Room, A Shared Flag
Andersen and Ehlers are no strangers to international competition, but this Olympic run carries something extra. Not only are they teammates in Carolina, they’re now suiting up together for their country-a rare and special bond for two players from a nation where hockey isn’t exactly a national pastime.
“For the first time in my career, I get to play with a Dane in my everyday team, so that's been fun,” Andersen said. “We’re looking forward to sharing this experience together.”
Andersen has been a steady presence in net for the Hurricanes since 2021, and his résumé speaks for itself: 315 career wins, a .914 save percentage, and a reputation as one of the league’s most composed goaltenders. At the 2024 Olympic Qualifiers, he was lights out-posting a 3-0-0 record while stopping 60 of 64 shots to help punch Denmark’s ticket to Milan.
Ehlers, meanwhile, has been busy making NHL history. Since signing with Carolina in July 2025, he’s put up 14 goals and 27 assists in 54 games. He’s already the all-time leading Danish player in NHL goals, points, and assists, and he brought that same firepower to the 2025 World Championships, where he scored three times in four games.
Switching Gears, Staying Focused
With the NHL season still in full swing, the Olympic mindset has to wait-at least for now.
“I’m trying to think about our season here, which is the most important right now,” Ehlers said. “Once we’re done here and ready to go over to Milan, it’s going to be all Team Denmark in my head.”
That balance between club and country is no easy task, especially with a tight turnaround. The Hurricanes play the night before the Olympic opening ceremony, which means Andersen and Ehlers won’t be able to take part in one of the Games’ most iconic moments. And yes, that stings a little.
“It seems like it's a small thing, but to us it's a big thing because you want to be able to take everything in and experience everything,” Ehlers said.
Still, the duo is focused on making the most of the opportunity. They’ll head to Milan on February 7, get a few days of training in with Team Denmark, and hit the ice for their first Olympic game on February 12.
Chemistry and Confidence
Despite the short prep time, both Andersen and Ehlers feel confident about Denmark’s chances-and for good reason. This is a tight-knit group, with years of shared experience at World Championships and Olympic qualifiers. That familiarity goes a long way when time is limited.
“The good thing about Denmark-a small country-is a lot of us know each other from playing against each other growing up or with each other at different World Championships or qualification for the Olympics,” Andersen said.
Ehlers echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the bond this team has built over time.
“We’ve been able to create something special within that team and that's something I’m excited to get back to,” he said.
And if the 2025 World Championships were any indication, Denmark is more than just a feel-good story. They made a surprise run to the semifinals and stunned Canada 2-1 in the quarterfinals-a moment Ehlers called “the most special feeling ever.”
Facing Familiar Foes
Denmark’s Olympic group includes Germany, Latvia, and a marquee matchup against the United States on February 14-a game that comes with a little extra juice. That’s because Team USA features Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin, setting up a friendly but fierce intra-team showdown.
Whoever wins that game? “They’ll get some bragging rights back at home,” Andersen said with a grin.
And they won’t be the only Hurricanes players in Milan. Sebastian Aho will suit up for Finland, adding even more Carolina flavor to the international ice.
Back to Business
Once the Olympic flame is extinguished and the medals are handed out, it’s back to NHL action. The Hurricanes resume their season on February 26, and both Andersen and Ehlers will shift gears once again-this time from national pride back to the playoff push.
But for a few weeks in February, the focus is all on Denmark. And for Andersen and Ehlers, this isn’t just another tournament. It’s a chance to wear their country’s colors, compete against the best in the world, and inspire the next generation of Danish hockey players.
They’re not just representing a team. They’re representing a nation. And they’re ready.