Eller Pursues Olympic Debut

Casey Halston

Published: February 12, 2026 3:36 PM ET

Lars Eller, a prominent figure in professional hockey, is set to make his Olympic debut. Drafted 13th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2007, he has played nearly 1,200 NHL games and over 100 playoff matches. Along the way, he scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal for the Washington Capitals. Now, at 36, he aims to represent Denmark at the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan.

Eller’s Olympic Aspirations

This Thursday, Eller will face off against his Senators teammate Tim Stützle and Team Germany at 3:10 p.m. EST. “It’s something I haven’t tried in my career. I feel like I’ve done almost everything else,” Eller remarked. He expressed enthusiasm about playing for his national team against the best in the world, noting he had participated in World Championships but never at the Olympic level.

Denmark’s Hockey Journey

Denmark’s first international hockey appearance in 1949 ended in a 47-0 loss to Canada.
In 2022, Denmark qualified for the Olympics for the first time, although NHL players were unable to participate due to COVID-19 concerns.
Under Eller’s leadership, Denmark secured Olympic qualification with victories over Great Britain, Norway, and Japan.

Key Achievements

During the qualification tournament in Norway, Eller was instrumental, tying for the team and division lead with two goals and two assists. As the first Danish player to win the Stanley Cup, his experience is invaluable. The current roster includes notable players like Nikolaj Ehlers and Frederik Anderson, alongside others from various leagues across Europe.

Team Dynamics

Eller’s connection to his teammates runs deep, having played with many of them since childhood. He stated that the familiarity within the roster would be beneficial for their Olympic campaign. “It’s great to reconnect with guys I’ve played with in numerous tournaments,” he said.

Conclusion

Eller’s journey with the national team began over two decades ago. As a teenager, he contributed to Denmark’s promotion to the top division of the World Junior Championship. Now, he prepares to don the national team’s sweater for the first time at the Olympics. This participation marks a significant milestone in his illustrious hockey career.