And with that, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan are over. Team USA won its first gold medal in 46 years in a 2-1 victory over Team Canada that featured an all-time goaltending performance from Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and a thrilling overtime winner from the New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes. What a treat it was to see best-on-best hockey for the first time in 12 years.
It's an honor to be named to your country's Olympic roster, and the Philadelphia Flyers had three representatives in Milan--though it was originally four, before Rodrigo Abols was injured and unable to play for Team Latvia. For the three players who went, these three weeks probably did more for them than any vacation ever could.
Let's start with the Flyers' most notable representative, Travis Sanheim, who brings home a silver medal. Team Canada was a powerhouse, and likely the most difficult team to make of any country playing in the Olympics. There had been some head scratching over Sanheim's inclusion, but he proved doubters wrong the entire tournament. While he wasn't able to bring home a gold medal, being surrounded by that level of elite talent and playing an important role for the team as a steady two-way defenseman should surely provide a boost on the mental side of things. Hopefully, that energy translates back to North America, and Sanheim can bring some confidence to a flailing Flyers team.
The Flyers had another defenseman in Milan, too: one Rasmus Ristolainen, who was excellent for Team Finland. His 19:45 per game was the third highest among Finnish defenders, playing on a rock solid, shut down second pair--though he did register three assists in his six games, too. Ristolainen, who's never been in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, has had his ups and downs in Philadelphia, but his Olympic performance should considerably spike his trade value as we near the March trade deadline. For a rebuilding Flyers club, Ristolainen's work with the Finns could significantly increase the return in a deadline deal--a boon as the Flyers try to stockpile younger assets.
Finally, there's the Flyers starting netminder, Dan Vladar, who joined a Czech team that gave Canadians everywhere a scare in the quarterfinals. There was some concern among Flyers fans going into the Olympics that Vladar--whose 33 games played this season is the most of his career--would be better off using the break to rest and recuperate for a late playoff push. It's good, then, that Vladar only played in one of Team Czechia's five games, spending most of the tournament as backup to Lukas Dostal. Vladar should return to Philadelphia refreshed: from not having to play, sure, but also being able to practice with the best of the best and enjoying the energy of Olympic competition.
The Flyers are 25-20-11 with 26 games remaining in the regular season. They've got a difficult path back into the playoff conversation, but here's hoping their Olympians return with some Olympic spirit to fuel a late push for the postseason.