It was supposed to be a showcase of the world’s best, a return to Olympic ice for the NHL’s elite. But on February 13, 2026, at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the atmosphere turned somber as Switzerland’s Kevin Fiala—one of the Los Angeles Kings’ brightest stars—was stretchered off the ice, his Olympic dream cut short in a 5-1 defeat to Team Canada.
Late in the third period, with just under three minutes left on the clock, Fiala collided awkwardly with Canada’s Tom Wilson near the boards. The two players’ legs tangled, and both tumbled to the ice. Fiala, face down and motionless, immediately drew the attention of medical personnel, who rushed to his side. The arena fell silent as Fiala was carefully placed on a stretcher, his left leg immobilized in an air cast. Emergency staff took every precaution, minimizing movement as they wheeled him off, a sight that left teammates and opponents visibly shaken.
Swiss coach Patrick Fischer, addressing reporters after the game, didn’t hide his concern. “I haven’t seen him yet. I think he went to the hospital. Obviously it doesn’t look very good. Tough, tough, tough moment for Kevin and the whole team, obviously,” Fischer said, as quoted by Nick Cotsonika of NHL.com. Later that evening, the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation confirmed the worst: Fiala had suffered a lower-leg injury and would miss the rest of the Olympic tournament.
The play itself was ruled accidental. No penalty was assessed, and both benches—especially Fiala’s Los Angeles Kings teammates on Team Canada, goaltender Darcy Kuemper and defenseman Drew Doughty—watched anxiously as Fiala was taken away. Doughty, who shares both NHL and Olympic ice with Fiala, was particularly affected. “Tough to see. Hopefully he’s gonna be fine quick, we need that guy on my team back home, big-time. That’s not something I wanted, obviously, to happen. Gonna go find him right now and see how he’s doing,” Doughty told Mark Lazerus of The Athletic, his concern echoing through the locker room.
Tom Wilson, the Canadian forward involved in the collision, was quick to express his regret. “It’s the Olympic Games and I feel terrible that he may not be able to keep playing. Just sending his family and him my best. You never want to see a guy go down, in a tournament like this, especially. Sucks for the country, for their team. Just wishing him a quick recovery,” Wilson said, as reported by The Athletic. Swiss forward Nico Hischier, Fiala’s teammate and New Jersey Devils center, was equally sympathetic. “Stuff like that is hard to watch. Kevin’s a big part of our group. In hockey, stuff like that happens. But it’s tough to watch and didn’t look great. I hope it’s better than it looked like,” Hischier commented, emphasizing that there was “clearly no intent” to injure.
Fiala’s injury is a devastating blow not only for Switzerland, but for hockey fans worldwide. The 29-year-old winger was playing in his first Olympics with NHL participation restored after the league skipped the 2018 and 2022 Games. Fiala, one of 147 NHL players at these Games and one of 11 on Switzerland’s roster, had been skating on the top line alongside Nico Hischier and Timo Meier. His presence was instrumental to the Swiss, a nation that has steadily climbed the international hockey ranks and entered Milan as the world’s second-ranked team, thanks to back-to-back silver medals at the IIHF World Championship.
For Fiala, the Olympics represented not only a chance at a medal, but a career milestone. In 56 games this NHL season, he’s tallied 18 goals, 22 assists, and 147 shots on goal, contributing 40 points for the Kings in what’s now his twelfth NHL campaign and fourth with Los Angeles. His dynamic play and leadership were key factors in Switzerland’s hopes for a deep Olympic run. Now, with Fiala sidelined, the Swiss must regroup quickly as they prepare to face Czechia on February 15.
But the injury didn’t just sting Switzerland. The Kings, who have relied heavily on Fiala’s offensive spark, now face the prospect of integrating newly acquired Artemi Panarin without one of their top weapons, should Fiala’s recovery extend beyond the Olympics. As of now, there’s no official word on how long Fiala might be out once he returns to North America, leaving Kings fans and management anxiously awaiting further updates.
The emotional toll of the incident was palpable on both benches. Canada’s players, recognizing the gravity of the moment, tapped their sticks on the ice in a show of respect as Fiala was taken away. Drew Doughty, reflecting on the situation, recalled the risks that come with Olympic participation. “It was tough to see,” he said. “Wish Kevin the best. Hopefully he’s going to be fine quick. We need that guy on my team back home, big-time. That’s not something I wanted, obviously, to happen. I’m going to go find him right now and see how he’s doing.”
The scene revived memories of previous Olympic injuries, such as John Tavares’ season-ending knee injury at the 2014 Sochi Games, a reminder of the ever-present risks NHL stars assume when representing their countries. The NHL’s decision to allow its players to participate in the Olympics is always fraught, balancing the thrill of international competition against the specter of injury. Yet, as Doughty put it, “I think every single player is gonna tell you they want to come play. Unfortunately, that happened, but hopefully he recovers quick.”
Switzerland’s woes didn’t end with Fiala’s injury. During the same game, captain Roman Josi’s defensive partner Andrea Glauser left with a concussion after a hit from Connor McDavid, and Denis Malgin departed early with a shoulder injury. “Some huge players for us,” Josi lamented. “Players that play big minutes and have big roles on this team. It was tough.”
As the Olympic tournament presses on, Switzerland faces an uphill battle, missing three key contributors. But the hockey world’s thoughts remain with Kevin Fiala as he begins his road to recovery. His absence will be felt on the ice, in the Kings’ locker room, and among the Swiss faithful who watched him chase Olympic glory. With the next game looming and the tournament’s intensity only building, all eyes will be on Switzerland to see how they respond—and on updates regarding Fiala’s condition as they become available.
For now, Switzerland must regroup, drawing on the resilience that’s defined their rise in international hockey. And as for Kevin Fiala, the hope is for a swift and full recovery, so he can return to the ice—where he belongs, inspiring teammates and fans alike.