5 Women's Hockey Players To Watch At Milan Cortina 2026
5 Women's Hockey Players To Watch At Milan Cortina 2026
Milan Cortina 2026 has given a stage to the best women's hockey players in the world en route to a potential Olympic medal. Here are five players to watch.
As the puck drops on the first women's hockey games in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, there's more attention than ever on women's hockey and talent is at an all-time high with the proliferation of the PWHL making its first real impact on the Games.
More than 60 players at Milan Cortina 2026 play hockey in the PWHL—including the entirety of Team Canada's roster.
We've tried to whittle down the very long list of must-watch players to just five to keep your eyes on as teams make their way through the Olympic gauntlet.
- Watch Professional, Junior Hockey Games Streaming Live On FloHockey
- Finland vs Canada Women's Olympic Hockey Game Delayed Due To Norovirus
- Read The Latest 2026 Winter Olympics News On FloHockey
Milan Cortina 2026 has given a stage to the best women's hockey players in the world en route to a potential Olympic medal. Here are five players to watch.
5 Women's Hockey Players To Watch At Milan Cortina 2026
Hilary Knight (USA) - Seattle Torrent
A right-handed winger from Sun Valley, ID, Hilary Knight is no stranger to wearing the red, white, and blue while receiving a medal around her neck. As the captain of the United States team and a core of their top offensive line, Knight plays a critical role in leading the favorites to a potential Gold medal over the rival Canadians—her 5th and final attempt at the feat.
In her first four trips, she netted 12 goals and 15 assists.
She led the United States with six goals in Beijing.
This season wearing the "C" with the Seattle Torrent, Knight has scored 3 goals and 7 assists in 14 games.
Marie-Philip Poulin (Canada) - Montreal Victoire
A veteran leader for Canada and captain for Montreal Victoire, Marie-Philip Poulin is a must-watch player for hockey fans everywhere.
Named the IIHF Female Player of the Year in 2025, Poulin is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Champion wearing the maple leaf. Nicknamed "Captain Clutch," she is responsible for Canada's game-winning goals for the gold in 2010, 2014, and 2022.
Kendall Coyne Schofield (USA) - Minnesota Frost
Palos Heights, Illinois-native Kendall Coyne Schofield is Captain of Minnesota Frost and a seven-time gold medalist at the IIHF Women's World Championships.
She helped USA to their Olympic gold in South Korea in 2018 with two goals and an assist. Her 10 goals put her second in the PWHL behind Kristyna Kaltounkova. Coyne Schofield's six assists puts her at the top of all points scorers.
Alina Müller (Switzerland) - Boston Fleet
Switzerland has been locked between 4th and 5th place in the IIHF Women's World Championships going back to the 2018 Winter Olympics.
In 2022, Alina Müller was a big piece of the Swiss team and is expected to play that part once more in Italy this February. Muller's 10 points in Beijing put her in the top ten across the Games, matching Hilary Knight and Canada's Rebecca Johnson.
Although she just sits at 2 goals and 7 assists with the Boston Fleet this season, Muller is on a three-game point streak and has a chance to carry that positive momentum heading into Italy to show on up the international stage once again.
Kristyna Kaltounkova (Czechia) - New York Sirens
Czechia made their first Olympic Women's hockey appearance in Beijing in 2022 and since then, have grown immensely as they build confidence through back-to-back 4th place finishes following back-to-back Bronze medal wins in the IIHF Women's World Championships, 2022-2025.
23-year old Kristyna Kaltounkova has been a star for Czechia, and was a first overall drafted forward for the New York Sirens in the 2025 PWHL Draft. Kaltounkova was a must-have offensive talent, bringing momentum to Czechia following four 48+ point seasons in a row with Colgate University in the NCAA.
She's scored 11 goals in her first 16 games with the Sirens and leads the PWHL, just ahead of Kendall Coyne Schofield.
Olympic Hockey Schedule 2026: Here's When Canada, Team USA Play
All times Eastern.
Thursday, Feb. 5
Women's Group B
- Sweden vs Germany | 6:10 a.m.
- Italy vs France | 8:40 a.m.
Women's Group A
- United States vs Czcehia | 10:40 a.m.
- Finland vs Canada ** POSTPONED TO FEB. 12, 2:30 p.m. ET **
Friday, Feb. 6
Women's Group B
- France vs Japan | 6:10 a.m.
Women's Group A
- Czechia vs Switzerland | 8:40 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Women's Group B
- Germany vs Japan | 6:10 a.m.
- Sweden vs Italy | 8:40 a.m.
Women's Group A
- United States vs Finland | 10:40 a.m.
- Switzerland vs Canada | 3:10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 8
Women's Group B
- France vs Sweden | 10:40 a.m.
Women's Group A
- Czechia vs Finland | 3:10 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 9
Women's Group B
- Japan vs Italy | 6:10 a.m.
- Germany vs France | 10:40 a.m.
Women's Group A
- Switzerland vs United States | 2:40 p.m.
- Canada vs Czechia | 3:10 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Women's Group B
- Japan vs Sweden | 6:10 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Men's Group B
- Slovakia vs. Finland | 10:40 a.m.
- Sweden vs. Italy | 3:10 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 12
Women's Group A
- Finland vs Canada | 2:30 p.m. ** RESCHEDULED FROM FEB. 5**
Men's Group A
- Switzerland vs. France | 6:10 a.m.
- Czechia vs. Canada | 10:40 a.m.
Men's Group C
- Latvia vs. USA | 3:10 p.m.
- Germany vs. Denmark | 3:10 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13
Men's Group B
- Finland vs. Sweden | 6:10 a.m.
- Italy vs. Slovakia | 6:10 a.m.
Men's Group A
- France vs. Czechia | 10:40 a.m.
- Canada vs. Switzerland | 3:10 p.m.
Women's Quarterfinal Matchups
- TBD | 10:40 a.m.
- TBD | 3:10 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Men's Group B
- Sweden vs. Slovakia | 6:10 a.m.
- Finland vs. Italy | 10:40 a.m.
Men's Group C
- Germany vs. Latvia | 6:10 a.m.
- USA vs. Denmark | 3:10 p.m.
Women's Quarterfinal Matchups
- TBD | 10:40 a.m.
- TBD | 3:10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 15
Men's Group A
- Switzerland vs. Czechia | 6:10 a.m.
- Canada vs. France | 10:40 a.m.
Men's Group C
- USA vs. Germany | 3:10 p.m.
- Denmark vs. Latvia | 3:10 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 16
- Women's Semifinal Matchups
- TBD | 10:40 a.m.
- TBD | 3:10 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
- Men's Qualification playoff matchups
- TBD | 6:10 a.m.
- TBD | 6:10 a.m.
- TBD | 10:40 a.m.
- TBD | 3:10 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Men's Quarterfinal matchups
- TBD | 6:10 a.m.
- TBD | 10:40 a.m.
- TBD | 12:10 p.m.
- TBD | 3:10 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 19
- Women's Bronze medal game | 8:40 a.m.
- Women's Gold medal game | 1:10 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 20
- Men's Semifinal matchups
- TBD | 10:40 a.m.
- TBD | 3:10 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21
- Men's Bronze medal game | 2:40 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22
- Men's Gold medal game | 8:10 a.m.
Milan Cortina 2026 Live Coverage Coming To FloHockey
FloHockey is your source for the best coverage, live broadcasts, and all access content below the National Hockey League—over the next few weeks that includes coverage of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
Every day at 6:30 p.m. ET from Feb. 12-18, FloHockey analyst Chris Peters and co-host Robert Rabiak will be bringing you the latest coverage, analysis, and news from Milan Cortina 2026.
Here's when to tune in on the final weekend, Feb. 19-22:
- Thursday, Feb. 19 - 4:30 p.m. ET
- Friday, Feb. 20 - 6:30 p.m. ET
- Saturday, Feb. 21 - 9:05 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Feb. 22 - 11:30 a.m. ET
Tune in LIVE on the FloHockey 24/7 FAST channel, available on Prime Video and Fubo, or watch for free on FloHockey YouTube.
Watch The 2026 AHL All-Star Classic, Skills Competition And More
The 2026 AHL All-Star Classic presented by BMO will be held on February 10-11 in Rockford, Ill. at the home of the Chicago Blackhawks American Hockey League affiliate Rockford IceHogs.
The 2026 AHL All-Star Skills Competition takes place on Tuesday to open the on-ice action, starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. It's a battle of the best in the Eastern vs the best in the Western as players show off their elite talent in seven skills events.
Then, on Wednesday, the fun continues at 8:00 p.m. ET with the 2026 AHL All-Star Challenge—a four team, 3-on-3 round robin tournament—all leading to one eight-minute 3-on-3 championship finale game.
Follow along on FloHockey for the latest American Hockey League live streams, all access coverage and more.
Watch Hockey Live Streams Free On FloHockey
From the top 2026 NHL draft prospects to first-round picks looking to develop their game before making it in the National Hockey League—FloHockey has the best broadcast schedule for junior hockey and professional hockey below the NHL.
Each week, you can catch numerous Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL and many more games streaming live for free on FloHockey and YouTube.
How To Watch 2026 Winter Olympic Hockey In US And Canada
Viewers in the United States can watch the 2026 Olympic Winter Games streaming live via Peacock and the NBCOlympics website. It is also available through your TV provider via NBC, USA Network, CNBC, and NBCSN.
Viewers in Canada can watch Milano Cortina 2026 via CBC through your TV provider or stream for free on the app or at CBCGem.ca.
Watch professional and junior hockey live streaming throughout February on FloHockey including the American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL, and many of North America's top junior leagues: OHL, QMJHL, and USHL.
When Does The NHL Season Pause For The Winter Olympics 2026
The National Hockey League (NHL) 2025-26 season will take a pause after the conclusion of games on Thursday, February 5th, through Wednesday, February 25.
The break will accommodate the 2026 Winter Olympic hockey games, scheduled from February 11-22 in Italy. Here are some more important dates for the upcoming NHL season.
Key Dates For The 2025-26 NHL Season
- February 5 - Last games before break
- February 11-22 - 2026 Winter Olympics
- February 25 - Games return from break
- April 16 - Last regular season games
- April - Start of 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
- June - 2026 Stanley Cup Finals
When and Where Are The Winter Olympics - Milano Cortina 2026?
The 2026 Winter Olympics, known as Milano Cortina 2026, is scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026.
Preliminary hockey rounds will begin on Thursday, February 5. Competition will continue throughout the week and conclude with the women's gold medal match on Thursday, February 19. The men's gold medal match will be played on Sunday, February 22 at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena.
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will take place at multiple sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy. Ice events will be hosted in Milan and other events to be hosted around Cortina and in the Valtellina and Fiemme valleys across Italy.
The joint-host were selected in 2019 and are the first Olympic Games to be co-hosted by multiple cities.
Who Won The Stanley Cup Playoffs In 2025?
The Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025. The defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the best-of-seven series 4-2.
Who was the first pick in the 2025 NHL Draft?
The first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft was made by the New York Islanders, who picked Matthew Schaefer, an elite defenseman with expert puck movement skills.
Other Overall Top Picks In 2025
- Matthew Schaefer (D) - New York Islanders
- Michael Misa (C) - San Jose Sharks
- Anton Frondell (C) - Chicago Blackhawks
- Caleb Desnoyers (C) - Utah Mammoth
- Brady Martin (C) - Nashville Predators
- Porter Martone (RW) - Philadelphia Flyers
- James Hagens (C) - Boston Bruins
- Jake O'Brien (C) - Seattle Kraken
- Radim Mrtka (D) - Buffalo Sabres
- Roger McQueen (C) - Anaheim Ducks
When is the 2026 NHL Draft?
The 64th annual NHL Entry Draft is expected to be held in the summer of 2026. In 2025, it was held on June 27 and 28.
NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey
The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
Ivar Stenberg: No. 1 in Cam's 2026 NHL Draft Consensus Rankings
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FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
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