Canucks Blueger & Šilovs Named To Latvia's 2026 Winter Olympic Games Preliminary Roster
Teddy Blueger and Artūrs Šilovs are headed to the Olympics. The two Vancouver Canucks players were among the first six named to Latvia's preliminary roster for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. As for the other four named, they were Elvis Merzļikins, Uvis Balinskis, Zemgus Girgensons and former Canucks draft pick, Rodrigo Ābols.
Blueger, or better known as Teodors Blugers in Latvia, has a long history of representing his country. The 30-year-old has played 19 career games at the World Championship and was named captain of Latvia's 2022 Winter Olympics qualifying team. At the NHL level, Blueger is coming off his second-straight 20+ point campaign with Vancouver, recording 26 points in 82 games.
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As for Šilovs, he already has a memorable international moment, as he led Latvia to a Bronze Medal at the 2023 World Championship. During that tournament, he posted a save percentage of .921 in 10 games and was named World Championship Most Valuable Player. Šilovs is currently in the Calder Cup Finals with the Abbotsford Canucks, and has gone 13-6, while posting a save percentage of .930 in 20 games.
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Latvia will be part of a tough Group C at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will feature the United States, Germany, and Denmark. Each team will play the members of its group, with the top teams as well as one second-place team receiving a bye to the quarter-finals. The remaining eight teams will be re-seeded and play a qualification round, with the four winners advancing to the quarter-finals.
Mar 9, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Teddy Blueger (53) during a stop in play against the Dallas Stars in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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