In international hockey, talent matters. But sometimes, chemistry can be the true difference-maker. And for Team Switzerland heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics, that bond might just be their secret weapon.
Switzerland doesn’t boast the same kind of star-studded NHL depth as powerhouses like Canada or the United States. But what they do have is a core group of players who’ve shown up, year after year, to represent their country at the World Championships. That consistency has built something special - a tight-knit group that knows each other’s games inside and out.
“We’re very tight,” said Kings forward Kevin Fiala. “That’s why I’ve been at World Championships - when I can go, I go.
I don’t know how many I’ve had, but I’ve had a few. The majority of the team is the same.
There are some small changes every year, here and there, with injuries, playoffs, and roster changes, but we all know each other and we love each other. It’s really like a family.”
Fiala was one of the first six players named to Switzerland’s Olympic roster, and with the full squad now announced, he’s set to take center stage in Milan next month. For Fiala, it’s more than just another tournament - it’s his first shot at Olympic hockey, a true best-on-best format that brings out the elite from every nation.
Last year, Switzerland didn’t qualify for the 4 Nations Faceoff, but thanks to strong showings at the World Championships, they’ve climbed into the world’s top four. And Fiala has been a big reason why.
In 2024, he arrived late to the World Championship but made an immediate impact - 13 points in eight games, a silver medal, tournament MVP honors, and a spot on the All-Tournament Team. He was the second-leading scorer overall and helped carry Switzerland to the gold-medal game, where they ultimately fell to Czechia.
A year later, he helped lead the team back to the final, this time losing to the United States. That’s two straight silver medals, matching the best finishes in Switzerland’s history at the tournament.
To put that into perspective: since 1953, Switzerland has won just four World Championship medals - all silver. Fiala’s fingerprints are on three of them, including one from 2018. That’s not just consistency; that’s legacy.
At the Olympic level, Switzerland’s resume is even thinner. Two medals, none since 1948.
They haven’t even played for a medal since then. That’s why this year’s Games carry so much weight.
The Olympics are where the best face the best - no asterisks, no missing stars due to playoff runs. For players like Fiala, this is the stage they’ve dreamed about.
“I’m very excited, it’s a dream come true,” Fiala said. “I’ve always wanted to participate in the Olympics, so I’m very, very excited.”
And he’s not going in alone.
Switzerland’s 2026 roster might be the strongest the country has ever assembled. Ten NHL players are set to suit up, including New Jersey’s Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, Winnipeg’s Nino Niederreiter, Nashville’s Roman Josi, and Tampa Bay’s J.J.
Moser. These aren’t just NHL players - they’re impact guys.
And what sets them apart from other nations’ stars is their commitment. Most of them have played in at least one of the last two World Championships.
This isn’t a group thrown together at the last minute. This is a core that’s built chemistry through shared battles.
“Whenever we can go, we go,” Fiala said. “It’s a big thing in Switzerland.
We really enjoy playing with each other, we love each other, it’s a big family and we’ve known each other for a while now. We’ve done it for quite a long time.
It’s always fun to go back and to compete with each other and try to win.”
That continuity could be key when the tournament begins. Switzerland’s early schedule includes a marquee matchup with Team Canada - a game that could pit Fiala against his NHL teammates Drew Doughty and Darcy Kuemper from the Kings. It’s a rare opportunity for players to face off against familiar faces in a setting that’s anything but routine.
“It will be a lot of fun,” Fiala said. “Obviously their team is very strong, so it will be fun to see where we stand and to play against those two guys, that’s very exciting.”
But the Olympics are about more than just the hockey. For Fiala, it’s the full experience - the atmosphere, the energy, the chance to see other Swiss athletes compete on the world’s biggest stage. He grew up watching the 2006 Swiss team and has always been a fan of the Winter Games, not just for the hockey, but for sports like skiing and curling as well.
“Olympics is just something that a lot of people watch and for me, I love watching it - not just hockey, but overall, it’s just a great atmosphere,” he said. “I’ll be excited to see some other sports as well, see our country participate in other sports, that’ll be so great.”
There’s no question Fiala will be one of Switzerland’s most important players in Milan. But more than that, he represents what this team is about - pride, commitment, and a belief that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.
If Switzerland does make history this time around, it won’t just be because of talent. It’ll be because of a brotherhood built over years of shared ice, shared jerseys, and shared dreams. And at the center of it all will be Kevin Fiala, chasing the medal that’s eluded his country for nearly eight decades.