As the preliminary round of the 2026 Olympic men’s hockey tournament wraps up, it’s a good time to check in on how the Winnipeg Jets’ representatives are faring on the international stage. With medal rounds just around the corner, the Jets’ Olympic journey has taken a few unexpected turns-some promising, others less so. What began with four players representing their countries has already shrunk to three, and even among those still active, the impact has been mixed.
Josh Morrissey (Canada)
Let’s start with the biggest curveball: Josh Morrissey’s early exit from Team Canada’s lineup. The Jets’ cornerstone defenseman played just over a period in Canada’s opener-a dominant 5-0 win over Czechia-before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury. Since then, he’s been sidelined, and the timeline for his return remains murky.
Team Canada, to their credit, hasn’t skipped a beat. With their deep blue line, they’ve been able to absorb Morrissey’s absence without losing momentum.
Head coach Jon Cooper has plenty of elite options at his disposal, and so far, they’ve made life difficult for opponents without showing many signs of vulnerability. Still, if Morrissey can return in time for the medal rounds, it would give Canada another weapon on the back end-one that can move the puck, defend with poise, and contribute offensively.
Nino Niederreiter (Switzerland)
Nino Niederreiter may not have found the scoresheet yet, but don’t let the stat line fool you-he’s been active and engaged for Team Switzerland. In their loss to Canada, Niederreiter had two quality chances in the first period alone, including a golden opportunity early on. He’s getting to the right areas, but against a powerhouse like Canada, finishing chances is always going to be a tall order.
Switzerland, now eyeing a playoff matchup against a lower seed like France, Italy, or Denmark, took a big blow with the loss of Kevin Fiala. The dynamic winger is out for the rest of the tournament-and the NHL season-with an injury sustained on a hit from Tom Wilson. That’s a huge loss not just for the Swiss, but also for the Los Angeles Kings, who are in the thick of a playoff push.
Still, Switzerland showed resilience with a 4-3 overtime win over Czechia to close out group play. Niederreiter will need to step up even more now, especially with Fiala sidelined. The veteran winger has the experience and the two-way game to help carry the load in the elimination rounds.
Kyle Connor (USA)
It’s been a quiet tournament so far for Kyle Connor, and that’s putting it lightly. The high-octane winger has yet to record a point and saw limited ice time-under 10 minutes-in Team USA’s narrow win over Denmark. Playing alongside Dylan Larkin and Tage Thompson, Connor’s line has generated some chances, but not enough to earn the trust of head coach Mike Sullivan.
This isn’t the first time Connor has found himself in a tough spot with Team USA. He was scratched in the 4 Nations final last year, and if the current trend continues, a similar fate could be on the table. The Americans are still trying to find their rhythm, and with the quarterfinals looming, time is running out for Connor to make his mark.
That said, he’s got one more chance to shift the narrative in the final Group C game against Germany. If there’s ever a time for a bounce-back performance, this is it.
Connor Hellebuyck (USA)
The goaltending situation for Team USA has been a bit of a rollercoaster, and that includes Connor Hellebuyck. After a solid showing in the opener against Latvia-17 saves and a win-he was given a rest in the second game, which saw Jeremy Swayman get the start against Denmark.
That move nearly backfired. Swayman gave up two questionable goals, including one from the red line, and the Americans found themselves in a tighter game than expected. While the offense eventually pulled through, the shaky goaltending didn’t help matters.
Looking ahead, Hellebuyck is expected to reclaim the net for the rest of the tournament-and that’s good news for the Americans. With a potential quarterfinal showdown against Sweden on the horizon, Team USA will need their No. 1 goalie to be at his best. Hellebuyck has the pedigree and the poise to handle the pressure, and his presence gives the U.S. a much-needed anchor as they chase a spot in the gold medal game.
There’s just one week left of Olympic hockey, but the real drama is only beginning. For the Jets’ trio still standing, the next few games will be a test of resilience, opportunity, and maybe even redemption. Whether it’s Morrissey returning to bolster Canada’s blue line, Niederreiter stepping into a bigger role for Switzerland, or Connor and Hellebuyck helping the U.S. find its form-there’s plenty of story left to write in this Olympic chapter.