Release from 06.02.2026

Winter Olympics kick off: 20 ICE Hockey League players look forward to the opening ceremony

Short text 432 CharactersPlain text

The Winter Olympics officially begin today with the grand opening ceremony at San Siro, attended by around 80,000 spectators. Twenty players from the win2day ICE Hockey League will experience this special event up close. A truly unique moment, especially for the Italian players – but of course also for all other ICE Hockey League participants. Excitement ahead of the evening is high, as several players shared with us in advance.

Press release 1563 CharactersPlain text

Tommy Purdeller (HC Falkensteiner Pustertal/Italy): "This will definitely be an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I’m not exactly sure what to expect, but just thinking about this stadium and all the people is incredible."

Daniel Glira (HC Falkensteiner Pustertal/Italy): "The excitement is huge, and I think it will be simply amazing for all of us. I’ll try to soak up every second and enjoy the moment with the other athletes."

Gianluca Vallini (HCB Südtirol Alperia/Italy): "It will definitely be an incredible experience and one that will give us goosebumps."

Yohann Auvitu (Steinbach Black Wings Linz/France): "We’ve all watched ceremonies like this on TV, and now being part of it is something completely different. I’ll just enjoy the moment."

Markus Lauridsen (HC Falkensteiner Pustertal/Denmark): "It’s a great honor and a very special experience to walk into the stadium with all my teammates and the other Danish athletes. I’m really looking forward to this moment."

Jesper Jensen Aabo (EC-KAC/Denmark): "It’s hard to put into words. Walking out in front of so many fans, knowing that millions are watching, will be something very special."

For Jesper Jensen Aabo, the experience is even more unique: he was selected to carry the flag for Denmark. More about that here.

All additional information about the ICE Hockey League players nominated for the Winter Olympics can be found here.

Copright: FISG/Vanna Antonello