NHL.com/de’s Stefan Herget asked several German NHL stars what they think about the possibility of playing in the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy, and how the German national team might perform in the Olympic ice hockey tournament. Moritz Seider gave a substantial answer:
Moritz Seider, Defender, Detroit Red Wings:
“This is a childhood dream that can come true for all the guys who will be there for the first time. I only know the stories of the other guys, and my girlfriend, who was lucky enough to have been to the Olympics three times. This is what they tell you about this: that is open to everyone and that is why they want to be part of the story. The biggest thing there is for an athlete is to win for his home country at the Olympics, and to be able to compete against the best in the world. You absolutely want to be there, and I will give everything for that. The league and the Players’ Association are on the right track to make this a great event. We still have to wait and see that everything comes together contractually. Then we will hopefully be there and have a great time.”
“Honestly, expectations in Germany have to be reduced somewhat. But the group stage can quickly go in one direction or another. Perhaps we can pester one or another opponent early. This always depends on what ice surface is played, whether the players from North America come up with ‘jet lag,’ and European food. Perhaps a team can take advantage of this. In the knockout phase, it’s a game in which a lot can always happen. You can keep your expectations open, but you can’t expect us to be a title candidate. But why not just look at what works, have a great tournament, and represent the country in the best possible way.”
