Montana And North Dakota Athletes Gearing Up For The Olympics

Several athletes with ties to Montana and North Dakota are among those expected to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, continuing the region’s representation on the global stage in hockey and skiing.

From Montana

Jake Sanderson — Team USA Men’s Hockey| Whitefish, Montana

Jake Sanderson, a defenseman from Whitefish, Montana, is expected to be part of the U.S. men’s hockey roster after emerging as a top blueliner with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. A former University of North Dakota standout, Sanderson helped the U.S. win silver at the 2021 World Junior Championship.

Olympic schedule: Men’s hockey begins with preliminary-round play on Thursday February 12th against Latvia at 3:10PM CST.

Medal games scheduled for Feb. 22, 2026.

Konnor Ralph — Team USA Freestyle Skiing | Helena, Montana

Helena native Konnor Ralph is a contender in men’s freestyle skiing after competing internationally in slopestyle and big air events. Ralph has posted strong finishes on the World Cup circuit, positioning himself among the U.S. team’s emerging freestyle athletes.

Olympic schedule: Freestyle skiing events are scheduled throughout the first two weeks of the Games, with slopestyle and big air competitions expected between Feb. 7–15, 2026.

Exact schedules have yet to be released for either the freeski big Air or freeski slopestyle events.

From North Dakota:

Britta Curl-Salemme — Team USA Women’s | Bismarck, North Dakota

Britta Curl-Salemme, a forward from Bismarck, North Dakota, is expected to compete for the U.S. women’s hockey team. A University of Wisconsin alum, she has played in multiple IIHF Women’s World Championships, including the 2022 silver medal run.

Olympic schedule: Women’s hockey first preliminary game takes place Thursday, February 5th against Czechia at 9:40am CST on USA.

Medal games scheduled for Feb. 19, 2026.

Attended UND:

Susanna Tapani — Team Finland Women’s Hockey | Finland

Susanna Tapani, a veteran of Finland’s national team, has strong ties to North Dakota through her time at UND.

Olympic schedule: Team Finland begins prelims against Canada on February 5th at 2:10pm CST.

Medal games scheduled for Feb. 22, 2026.

Michelle Karvinen — Team Finland Women’s Hockey | Finland

Michelle Karvinen, one of Finland’s most accomplished forwards, played college hockey at the University of North Dakota.

Olympic schedule: Team Finland begins prelims against Canada on February 5th at 2:10pm CST.

Medal games scheduled for Feb. 22, 2026.

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