David Pastrnak, Leon Draisaitl, and Nino Niederreiter are set to proudly represent their nations at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, as they have been chosen as flag-bearers for their respective countries during the Opening Ceremony.
Pastrnak, a forward for the Boston Bruins, will don the colors of Team Czechia, while Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers will represent Team Germany. Nino Niederreiter, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets, has been selected to carry the flag for Switzerland. The ceremonial event is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC and CBC.
Expressing his excitement, Pastrnak reflected on the honor, stating, “I am speechless. Very, very honored. I am going to give them my all. Very happy and honored to be able to hold our flag and represent us at the ceremony.” He further expressed pride in representing his country among other athletes from around the world.
Draisaitl, who was chosen through a fan vote along with his Olympic teammates, also shared his gratitude: “Hey Oil Country and Canada, thank you so much for voting for me as a flag-bearer for Team Germany at the Olympics. Such an incredible honor. I feel so proud and lucky I get to do that and it’s all thanks to you guys, so thank you very much. Looking forward to Italy.”
Niederreiter, who was officially named as Switzerland’s flag-bearer on Thursday, expressed immense pride in his role. “It’s a huge honor and an immense privilege. I’m immensely proud that I was chosen to carry the symbol of our country in front of the whole world. Good luck and much success to all Swiss athletes — hopefully we can win lots of medals for our beautiful country,” he stated in a video released by the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation.
The selection of these athletes not only underscores their individual talents but also the camaraderie and national pride that the Olympics symbolize, making the upcoming games an exciting event for fans around the globe.