Olympic Spotlight: Joel Armia and Team Finland Set to Open Men’s Hockey Tournament vs. Slovakia
The puck drops this week in Milan, and for Los Angeles Kings forward Joel Armia, it marks a milestone moment - his Olympic debut. Armia will suit up for Team Finland as they kick off their 2026 Winter Olympics campaign on Wednesday, February 11, against Slovakia in round-robin play.
For Armia, this isn’t just another international tournament. While he represented Finland at the 4 Nations Tournament in 2025, this is his first appearance on the Olympic stage - and he joins a Finnish squad that’s as deep and skilled as any in recent memory. From top-line firepower to a rock-solid blue line and elite goaltending, Finland enters the tournament as a legitimate contender.
A Bronze Medal Defense for Slovakia
Slovakia, meanwhile, is no stranger to the Olympic spotlight. They’re coming off a bronze medal finish in the 2022 Winter Games - a run that saw them take down both the United States and Germany.
And while some faces have changed, their identity remains the same: physical, structured, and opportunistic. This opening matchup is more than just a group-stage tilt - it’s a tone-setter for two nations with medal aspirations.
When and Where to Watch
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11
- Time: 7:40 a.m. PT
- Location: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy
- TV: USA Network, Peacock
- Streaming: Peacock App
Fans can catch the action live as Finland and Slovakia go head-to-head in a game that promises high-level skill, international intensity, and plenty of NHL talent on display.
Projected Lineups: Finland vs. Slovakia
Let’s take a closer look at the rosters for both squads heading into this marquee matchup.
Team Finland
Forwards
- Mikko Rantanen - Roope Hintz - Mikael Granlund
- Artturi Lehkonen - Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen
- Eetu Luostarinen - Anton Lundell - Kaapo Kakko
- Eeli Tolvanen - Erik Haula - Joel Armia
Defensemen
- Esa Lindell - Miro Heiskanen
- Niko Mikkola - Rasmus Ristolainen
- Olli Maatta - Henri Jokiharju
Goaltenders
- Juuse Saros (Projected Starter)
- Kevin Lankinen
This Finnish roster blends experience with youth and boasts one of the strongest defensive corps in the tournament. With Saros between the pipes, they have a goaltender capable of stealing games - and he might not need to, given the talent in front of him. Armia slots into a checking line role, where his size and two-way game should be an asset against Slovakia’s top six.
Team Slovakia
Forwards
- Tomas Tatar - Adam Ruzicka - Juraj Slafkovsky
- Adam Liska - Dalibor Dvorsky - Libor Hudacek
- Milos Kelemen - Martin Pospisil - Pavol Regenda
- Samuel Takac - Matus Sukel - Oliver Okuliar
Defensemen
- Martin Fehervary - Simon Nemec
- Martin Gernat - Erik Cernak
- Martin Marincin - Peter Ceresnak
Goaltenders
- Adam Gajan (Projected Starter)
- Samuel Hlavaj
Slovakia counters with a roster that’s balanced and battle-tested. Their top pairing of Fehervary and Nemec offers mobility and shutdown ability, while Slafkovsky, the 2022 Olympic breakout star, returns to lead the offense. Adam Gajan gets the nod in net - a rising talent who’s shown he can handle the big stage.
Kings in Milan: Who Else Is Representing L.A.?
Joel Armia isn’t the only Kings player lacing up in Olympic colors this week. Here’s a look at who else from Los Angeles is representing their countries:
- Team Canada: Drew Doughty (D), Darcy Kuemper (G)
- Team Sweden: Adrian Kempe (W)
With veterans like Doughty and Kuemper anchoring Canada’s defense and crease, and Kempe bringing his scoring touch to Sweden’s top six, the Kings are well represented across three powerhouse nations.
As the Olympic tournament gets underway, all eyes will be on Milan - and for good reason. With NHL-caliber talent spread across the ice and national pride on the line, matchups like Finland vs.
Slovakia are where the stakes start to rise. For Joel Armia, it’s a chance to make his Olympic mark.
For Finland, it’s the first step on what they hope is a run to the podium.