16 NAHL alumni taking part in Olympics

February 11, 2022

Former Austin Bruins and Top Prospects defenseman Christian Folin is playing for Sweden at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The Men’s Ice Hockey competition is officially underway at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, and there is plenty of NAHL alumni competing in this year’s event.

This is the second straight Olympics where NHL players are not taking part, so as a result players who are playing outside of the NHL were eligible to be selected and participate.

A total of 16 NAHL alumni are spread amongst seven teams in the event.

The 2022 Olympic men's ice hockey tournament will feature 12 countries placed in three groups consisting of four teams: Group A, Group B and Group C. Each team will face the other three teams in its pairing during group play.

The top teams in each group automatically qualify for the quarterfinals, as does the next best-ranked team that did not win its group. The remaining four quarterfinal spots will be determined in the qualification round, where the other eight teams battle to advance.

All ice hockey games at the 2022 Beijing Olympics will be held at two venues : the National Indoor Stadium and the Wukesong Sports Centre (also known as the Cadillac Arena).

China

Wei "Peter" Zhong, Forward (Aston and Philadelphia Rebels, 2016-18)

Denmark

Nick Jensen, Defense (Bismarck Bobcats, 2008-10)

Latvia

Oskars Batna, Forward (Bismarck Bobcats, 2014-16)

Ralfs Freibergs, Defense (Texas Tornado, 2009-11)

Janis Jaks, Defense (MN Wilderness/Rio Grande Valley, 2014-16)

Patriks Ozols, Defense (Lone Star Brahmas, 2019-20)

Slovakia

Adrian Holesinsky, Forward (Janesville Jets, 2015-17)

Matej Tomek, Goalie (Topeka Roadrunners, 2014-15)