Two Avalanche Forwards Will Represent Team Finland at 2026 Winter Olympics

Everyone knew Artturi Lehkonen was going to be a lock for Team Finland. But in a somewhat surprising announcement on Friday, the Finnish team also revealed that Avalanche forward Joel Kiviranta will represent the country at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Kiviranta was not on the 4 Nations Face-Off roster last year.

The roster for Finland at the #MilanoCortina2026 #WinterOlympics is here! 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/H6blKyxjGV

— NHL (@NHL) January 2, 2026

Lehkonen is having a strong season to date. Appearing in all 39 Avalanche games, the 30-year-old winger has 14 goals and 32 points. He’s on pace to blow past his career high in assists (30) and points (51). The 27 goals he had last year are also within reach. Lehkonen is on pace for 200+ shots for the first time in his career.

After playing most of the season with Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas on the top line, Lehkonen has recently seen time with center Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin on a more shutdown second line. All of Colorado’s top six, except for Nichushkin, have already been named to their respective country’s Olympic rosters. Nichushkin likely would be there too if Russia was participating.

Kiviranta is the surprise addition for Finland. The 29-year-old hasn’t produced much this year, with a goal and four points in 21 games, most of which have been spent in a fourth-line role. Last year he had a career high 16 goals and 23 points. Kiviranta is currently injured and out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

The Avs’ depth winger is known for his penalty killing prowess and for being a strong energy player that forechecks well. Kiviranta hasn’t represented Finland since the 2019 World Championships, before making his NHL debut.

The Olympics will run from Feb. 11-22. This is the first time since 2014 that the NHL is pausing its season to allow players to participate.

The last two Olympic Games with NHL participation were both won by Team Canada. In 2014, Canada defeated Gabe Landeskog and Team Sweden 3-0 in the gold medal game. Four years prior, Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal for Canada in Vancouver to defeat Team USA 3-2 in overtime.