After battling through injuries and enduring a grueling NHL season with the Dallas Stars, Finnish defenseman Miro Heiskanen has his sights firmly set on a new goal: representing Team Finland at the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026.
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Regarded as one of the NHL’s premier two-way defensemen, Heiskanen’s presence on the blue line will be central to Finland’s hopes of competing for a gold medal. With NHL players returning to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, Finland will have access to its full arsenal of talent—and Heiskanen is expect to be a cornerstone.
Winter Olympic 2026: Heiskanen Back to Full Strength and Ready for Olympic Challenge
The 2024–25 NHL season tested Heiskanen’s durability. A midseason lower-body injury sidelined him for several weeks, and while he returned before the playoffs, he was never quite at full strength. Despite this, he still managed to log major minutes for the Dallas Stars, averaging over 24 minutes per game, and anchoring both the power play and penalty kill.
Now, entering the 2025–26 NHL campaign fully healthy, Heiskanen says he’s focuse not just on helping Dallas return to contention but on preparing for what may be the biggest international tournament of his career. It’s always special to play for your country, Heiskanen told Finnish outlet Ilta-Sanomat. Milano Cortina will be a huge stage for us. I want to be ready, physically and mentally, to give my best for Finland. You Can Read Logan Thompson Could Still End Up on Team Canada’s Roster for the Winter Olympic 2026
Heiskanen Anchors Finland’s Defense for Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
Finland has emerged in recent years as one of the most formidable forces in international Winter Olympic ice hockey. The Finns captured their first-ever Olympic gold medal in men’s ice hockey at Beijing 2022, albeit in a tournament that did not feature NHL players. They followed it with silver at the 2023 IIHF World Championships and another top-four finish in 2024.
Now, with their full NHL talent pool available, Finland enters Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 not as an underdog—but as a legitimate favorite. Heiskanen is expected to be a key figure on Finland’s top defensive pairing, likely alongside Esa Lindell, his longtime teammate in Dallas. Other Finnish NHL blueliners such as Juuso Välimäki, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Ville Heinola could round out a solid defensive unit. But it’s Heiskanen—known for his speed, vision, and defensive IQ—who will carry the load when it matters most.
A Natural Leader on the Blue Line
At just 26 years old, Heiskanen has already amassed significant international experience. He played for Finland in the 2018 IIHF World Championships, starred in multiple World Juniors, and suited up at the 2016 Youth Olympics. While he missed the 2022 Olympics due to the NHL’s absence, he’s now entering the prime of his career at just the right time.
Miro is a quiet leader, said Finland national team coach Jukka Jalonen. He’s not flashy off the ice, but on the ice, he controls everything. We trust him in all situations—five-on-five, power play, penalty kill, late in the game. He’s that important to us. Heiskanen’s ability to transition the puck, shut down top lines, and log massive minutes makes him invaluable in international play, where games are tighter and mistakes are magnified.
Balancing NHL and Olympic Pressure
Heiskanen knows that maintaining peak performance for both the NHL season and the Olympic Games won’t be easy. The Olympic tournament, which begins just weeks after the NHL’s midseason break, will require players to hit the ground running—especially for those logging heavy minutes.
To manage that, Heiskanen has reportedly adjusted his offseason training. In addition to his regular skating and strength sessions, he’s working with Finnish sports psychologist Dr. Aki Hintsa’s team to manage stress, recovery, and mental focus. It’s a long season. If you want to be great at both levels—in the NHL and at the Olympics—you have to be smart with your body, Heiskanen said.
Dallas head coach Peter DeBoer has also publicly supported his star defenseman’s Olympic goals, noting that international play can bring out the best in elite players. Miro’s one of those guys who thrives in big moments. He’ll be even better when he’s wearing that Finnish jersey, DeBoer said.
Winter Olympic 2026: Heiskanen’s All-Around Game Will Be Finland’s Backbone on Defense
Finland’s Olympic blue line is expected to be more mobile than ever. With Heiskanen leading puck movement and offensive transitions, Finland could run two defensemen on its top power play unit—something the team traditionally avoids.
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Heiskanen will also be key on the penalty kill. With his stick positioning and calm under pressure, he’s a natural shutdown specialist. He’s likely to log 25+ minutes a game in Milano Cortina, especially in critical knockout-stage matchups.
Moreover, Finland will need him to step up against the high-octane offenses of Canada, USA, and Sweden—all of whom are expected to bring their top NHL forwards to the tournament. Shutting down lines led by Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, or Elias Pettersson will fall largely on Heiskanen’s shoulders.
A Core of Veterans and Emerging Stars
Heiskanen is part of a golden generation of Finnish players that includes: Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers)Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes) Patrik Laine (Columbus Blue Jackets) Kaapo Kakko (New York Rangers) Jesse Puljujärvi (Carolina Hurricanes)
Many of these players have now played together at multiple levels of international hockey, creating familiarity and chemistry that can be an asset on the Olympic stage.
Finland also benefits from a defensive culture that values structure and discipline—an ideal match for Heiskanen’s game. With Finland’s goaltending expected to be in the hands of Juuse Saros or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the team’s defensive identity looks as strong as ever.
Winter Olympic 2026: Chasing Legacy Olympic Gold Fuels Heiskanen’s Drive for Greatness
For Heiskanen, Olympic gold is not just a dream—it’s a driving motivation. While he’s accomplished a great deal in the NHL, winning a medal for Finland, especially gold, would be a career-defining achievement. I’ve played in big games in the NHL, but the Olympics is something different. It’s your whole country watching. That’s pressure—but it’s also pride, he said.
With Finland already riding the momentum of its 2022 win, expectations are higher than ever. Anything less than a medal would be seen as a disappointment. For Heiskanen, who’s never shied away from the big moments, the challenge is one he’s ready to meet.
Heiskanen Poised to Be Finland’s X-Factor at Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
Miro Heiskanen’s path to the Winter Olympic 2026 is clear: stay healthy, lead Dallas in the early part of the NHL season, and arrive in Italy ready to anchor Finland’s defense. With his elite skating, poise under pressure, and unmatched hockey IQ, he is poised to be one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
If Finland reaches the podium in Milano Cortina, there’s little doubt that Heiskanen will be a big reason why. For now, all eyes turn to the NHL season ahead—but for Heiskanen, Olympic gold is already on the horizon.
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