This story was updated on Jan. 21 to include Frederik Tiffels.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After four alumni of NCHC teams were named to the 2026 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team last Friday, one current National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) player and three more alumni were selected to three different Olympic rosters ahead of the upcoming 2026 Winter Games.
 
Minnesota Duluth sophomore goaltender Adam Gajan was tabbed to Team Slovakia, while former St. Cloud State forward Patrick Russell, who played in the NCHC with the Huskies, and former SCSU defenseman Oliver Lauridsen were both chosen for Team Denmark. Former Western Michigan forward Frederik Tiffels, who also played in the NCHC, was named to Team Germany. Gajan is the only active men’s NCAA hockey player on a 2026 Olympic roster.
 
The 2026 Winter Olympics run from February 6-22 in Milan and Cortina, Italy, with the Men’s Hockey Tournament set for Feb. 11-22. Gajan and Slovakia are in Group A at the Olympics, opening with Finland on Wednesday, Feb. 11, while also facing host Italy on Feb. 13 and Sweden on Feb. 14 before the playoff round begins on Feb. 17. The Danes and Germans are both in Group B along with Team USA, with Denmark and Germany opening against each other on Feb. 12. The fourth team in Group B is Latvia.
 
Gajan, who hails from Poprad, Slovakia, returns to his native Europe after helping the U.S. Collegiate Selects team earn a silver medal in their debut at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland at the end of December. The Chicago Blackhawks second round draft pick started two games for the USCS (both against host HC Davos), including the championship game on Dec. 31, going 1-1 with 55 saves. Gajan also represented Slovakia at the 2023 and 2024 World Junior Championships, going 5-3-0 with two shutouts, a .927 save percentage and 2.45 goals-against average.
 
For UMD, Gajan is 14-6-0 this season, starting every game for the Bulldogs, with his 14 wins second nationally. He ranks second in the NCHC with a 1.92 GAA, while posting a .919 save percentage, which is fifth. He also has two shutouts on the season. Gajan is a three-time NCHC Goaltender of the Week this year and was the NCHC Goaltender of the Month for October.
 
Russell played at St. Cloud State from 2014-16, earning NCHC All-Rookie Team honors as a freshman in 2014-15. During his two seasons with the Huskies, he totaled 66 points in 81 games, scoring 30 goals and adding 36 assists. As a sophomore, Russell compiled 20 goals and 41 points, helping SCSU win the 2016 Frozen Faceoff.
 
Currently, Russell plays for Kölner Haie in Cologne, Germany, where he’s racked up 45 points (22g/23a) in 37 games in the DEL. He played parts of three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers (2018-21), appearing in 59 NHL games with seven assists. The Birkerod, Denmark native has represented Denmark at a variety of international tournaments, including six IIHF Men’s World Championships and the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in China. In five games at the 2022 Olympics, Russell recorded three assists.
 
Lauridsen was a Husky from 2008-11, totaling 22 points (7g/15a) from the blue line in three seasons at SCSU. He was a two-time WCHA Scholar Athlete recipient, earning the honor in 2010 and 2011. Following St. Cloud State, the Gentofte, Denmark native played parts of two seasons in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers (2012-13, 2014-15). Lauridsen has represented Denmark at 12 IIHF Men’s World Championships and was with Russell on the 2022 Olympic team. In five games at the 2022 Winter Games in China, Lauridsen recorded one assist for the Danes.

Tiffels starred at Western Michigan from 2014-17, tallying at least seven goals and 17 points all three seasons. He finished his Broncos career with 59 points in 105 games, including 27 goals and 32 assists. Following his college career, Tiffels played a season in the ECHL and AHL before returning to his native Germany to play in their professional league, the DEL. He is currently in his third season playing for Eisbären Berlin, helping Berlin win the DEL championship each of the last two seasons, while he also won the title in 2023 with EHC München (Munich). This season, Tiffels has 41 points (8g/33a) in 41 games with Berlin while serving as an assistant captain. He previously represented Germany in the 2022 Winter Olympics, appearing in four games, as well as at seven IIHF Men's World Championships and three World Junior Championships.
 
Former Omaha forward Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning), former North Dakota forward Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche), former UND defenseman Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators) and former Colorado College defenseman Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes) will all suit up for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Games. 
 
The full Olympic hockey schedule can be seen HERE.