4. Marty In Milan
If there’s anyone that wants to go into the Olympic break with a bang, it’s Martin Pospisil.
But the Slovak forward has his sights set on his upcoming European business trip, too. Pospisil will fly to Milan Thursday ahead of the 2026 Winter Games, where he’ll proudly carry the Flames flag while representing his native country of Slovakia as they seek a second straight Olympic medal, after winning bronze in Beijing four years ago.
Pospisil was spotted breaking in brand-new, blue Slovak gloves at the end of Tuesday’s practice at the Scotiabank Saddledome, with just over a week to go until his side’s tournament opener.
“I’m super excited, it’s the first time (at the Olympics), so you don’t really know what to expect,” Pospisil shared Tuesday. “It’s always nice to represent your country and you know, there’s gonna be the best players (there). It’s gonna be a good challenge.
“I’m looking forward. Just win the game tomorrow, and just prepare and get ready for the Olympics.”
The centreman figures to draw in down the middle in Milan – stating Tuesday that he anticipates playing centre at the Games – and he’s shown well in Slovak colours recently, too. Pospisil had three assists in three games last summer in an Olympic qualifying tournament, as well as three goals and seven points at the World Championships in 2024.
Pospisil is one of only four NHL forwards on the Slovak roster – joining Montreal’s Juraj Slafkovsky, St. Louis’ Dalibor Dvorsky and Pavol Regenda of the San Jose Sharks, but he’ll have a former Flames teammate with him in Milan, too, in ex-Calgary forward Adam Ruzicka.
When asked by a reporter Tuesday which nation he’d be most excited to beat, Pospisil didn’t skip a beat, mentioning Canada with a wide grin.
His Slovak side will begin play in Group B Feb. 11 with a matchup against Finland, before group stage contests versus host Italy and Sweden
