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 two former St. Cloud State Huskies were selected to two different Olympic rosters ahead of the upcoming 2026 Winter Games.
 
Minnesota Duluth sophomore goaltender Adam Gajan was tabbed to Team Slovakia, while forward Patrick Russell, who played in the NCHC with the Huskies, and former SCSU defenseman Oliver Lauridsen were both chosen for Team Denmark. 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 are in Group B with Team USA, facing Germany (Feb. 12), the U.S. (Feb. 14) and Latvia (Feb. 15).
 
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.
 
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.