Heartbreak for Switzerland as key athlete sidelined for rest of Milano Cortina 2026

Team Switzerland has been dealt a crushing blow at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, with star forward Kevin Fiala ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a lower-leg injury.

The setback occurred late in the third period of Switzerland’s group-stage clash against Canada, when Fiala became entangled along the boards with Canadian forward Tom Wilson. The collision forced Fiala off the ice on a stretcher, casting immediate concern over his condition.

Official confirmation from team Switzerland

Shortly after the 5-1 defeat in Milan, Switzerland confirmed the worst. In an official statement, the team announced:

“Kevin Fiala was injured in the second group game against Canada and will miss the rest of the Olympic tournament.”

Head coach Patrick Fischer further revealed the seriousness of the situation following the game.

“We 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.

The emotional tone reflected the magnitude of the loss, both competitively and personally.

A major offensive void

Fiala had registered one assist in two Olympic appearances before the injury. Though modest on the scoresheet, his impact extended far beyond statistics. The 29-year-old remains one of Switzerland’s primary offensive weapons and a leader in high-pressure situations.

Currently playing in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings,Kevin Fiala has scored 18 goals in 56 games this season, underlining his importance to any lineup he features in. His absence now forces Switzerland to restructure its forward combinations and redistribute power-play responsibilities.

Regrouping after setback

Canada controlled much of the contest behind standout performances from Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and Macklin Celebrini. Switzerland, however, must quickly shift its focus.

After a convincing 4-0 win over France earlier in the tournament, the Swiss now prepare for a pivotal matchup against Czechia on Sunday. With medal hopes still alive, resilience becomes the priority.

For Switzerland, Fiala’s absence is more than an injury update—it’s a defining challenge in their Milano Cortina campaign.