Mathias Bau (blue jersey) of Herning Blue Fox was among the Continental Cup finalists heading on to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games
photo: Joshua Day / Panthers Images
The Continental Cup isn’t always a noted testing ground for prospective Olympians – but the 2026 edition was enhanced by a scattering of players heading to Milan next month.
Three players on the Herning Blue Fox roster – Danish duo Morten Poulsen and Mathias Bau, plus Latvian defender Oskars Cibulskis – are about to join their countries. In addition, French forward Nicolas Ritz was on the Angers Ducs roster in Nottingham.
Somewhat surprisingly, it’s a bit of throwback to previously Games with an NHL presence: counter to expectation, the 2018 and 2022 tournaments had fewer Olympians, even though rosters in Korea and China were drawn almost exclusively from European clubs. Indeed, you have to go back to 2010, when Yunost Minsk had five Olympians, to see a bigger cohort at a Conti Cup final.
It says much for the significance of the European tournament that nobody in Nottingham was treating the Continental Cup final as a mere warm-up for a bigger international event to come.
Three players on the Herning Blue Fox roster – Danish duo Morten Poulsen and Mathias Bau, plus Latvian defender Oskars Cibulskis – are about to join their countries. In addition, French forward Nicolas Ritz was on the Angers Ducs roster in Nottingham.
Somewhat surprisingly, it’s a bit of throwback to previously Games with an NHL presence: counter to expectation, the 2018 and 2022 tournaments had fewer Olympians, even though rosters in Korea and China were drawn almost exclusively from European clubs. Indeed, you have to go back to 2010, when Yunost Minsk had five Olympians, to see a bigger cohort at a Conti Cup final.
It says much for the significance of the European tournament that nobody in Nottingham was treating the Continental Cup final as a mere warm-up for a bigger international event to come.
Denmark's Morten Poulsen feels the Continental Cup was a useful stepping stone ahead of the Games
photo: Joshua Day / Panthers Images
Poulsen, Blue Fox captain and a key figure in Denmark’s rise in recent years, still sees the Conti Cup as an important way to keep Danish hockey in the spotlight.
“We absolutely came here to show up for Danish hockey,” he said on the way to taking bronze. “We won silver in this competition a couple of years ago and we want more medals this time.
“I believe the better our results here, the more it helps towards Denmark at the Olympics too. So we put all the focus on this tournament, then use it ahead of the Olympics.”
Four years ago, Poulsen and his fellow Danes were preparing for their first ever Olympic hockey appearance. After an encouraging display in Beijing and a memorable run to the World Championship medal games for the first time last season, there’s a lot to like about the national program right now.
“It’s been really exciting and it becomes a cultural thing,” Poulsen added. “Once you start to paly those big games you want more.
“Olympics, World Championship, Continental Cup, it can only be a good thing and we’re always really proud to represent Denmark wherever we go.”
“We absolutely came here to show up for Danish hockey,” he said on the way to taking bronze. “We won silver in this competition a couple of years ago and we want more medals this time.
“I believe the better our results here, the more it helps towards Denmark at the Olympics too. So we put all the focus on this tournament, then use it ahead of the Olympics.”
Four years ago, Poulsen and his fellow Danes were preparing for their first ever Olympic hockey appearance. After an encouraging display in Beijing and a memorable run to the World Championship medal games for the first time last season, there’s a lot to like about the national program right now.
“It’s been really exciting and it becomes a cultural thing,” Poulsen added. “Once you start to paly those big games you want more.
“Olympics, World Championship, Continental Cup, it can only be a good thing and we’re always really proud to represent Denmark wherever we go.”
Latvian defender Oskars Cibulskis (#27) fires in a shot at the GKS Katowice net during the 2026 IIHF Continental Cup final in Nottingham
Club team-mate but international rival, Latvian D-man Oskars Cibulskis also knows a bit about a country stepping up a level. The Baltic state has a strong record of reaching Olympics, while Cibulskis was part of the 2023 roster that took a first ever World Championship medal in Tampere.
He also featured in the 2022 Games and is relishing a second shot – this time on a roster that reunites him with 2023 goaltending hero Arturs Silovs. The Penguins netminder is one of six Latvian picks playing in the NHL this season, a group that includes Stanley Cup winning defender Uvis Balinskis.
“When all the best players are there, you know it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Cibulskis said. “It’s definitely something to look forward to. The Olympics is a big thing for any athlete and I’m really grateful that they chose me to be on the team.”
While the Danes and Latvians look forward to an Olympic return, for France’s Nicolas Ritz, 2026 is a first shot at the Games. The French last qualified in 2002 but can look forward to back-to-back appearances when they host in 2030.
“It’s been a while for French hockey,” Ritz admitted. “So it’s pretty cool that we’re getting ready for it now. We know the opponents are pretty heavy, so it’s a nice challenge for us and it’s really good for our hockey.”
Heavyweight opposition is one thing, but in Alex Texier Les Bleus have a player who can pack a punch of his own. The 26-year-old forward has blossomed this season, earning a two-year extension with Montreal and playing a key role on the top line for the Habs.
“We’re up against some big names, but our big name is pretty hot right now so I can’t wait to see him back” added Ritz. “It’s going to be amazing and I can’t wait to compete there.”
He also featured in the 2022 Games and is relishing a second shot – this time on a roster that reunites him with 2023 goaltending hero Arturs Silovs. The Penguins netminder is one of six Latvian picks playing in the NHL this season, a group that includes Stanley Cup winning defender Uvis Balinskis.
“When all the best players are there, you know it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Cibulskis said. “It’s definitely something to look forward to. The Olympics is a big thing for any athlete and I’m really grateful that they chose me to be on the team.”
While the Danes and Latvians look forward to an Olympic return, for France’s Nicolas Ritz, 2026 is a first shot at the Games. The French last qualified in 2002 but can look forward to back-to-back appearances when they host in 2030.
“It’s been a while for French hockey,” Ritz admitted. “So it’s pretty cool that we’re getting ready for it now. We know the opponents are pretty heavy, so it’s a nice challenge for us and it’s really good for our hockey.”
Heavyweight opposition is one thing, but in Alex Texier Les Bleus have a player who can pack a punch of his own. The 26-year-old forward has blossomed this season, earning a two-year extension with Montreal and playing a key role on the top line for the Habs.
“We’re up against some big names, but our big name is pretty hot right now so I can’t wait to see him back” added Ritz. “It’s going to be amazing and I can’t wait to compete there.”