At a Glance
- NHL will pause February play for the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Flyers’ Travis Sanheim selected for Team Canada
- Flyers will miss 19 games from Feb 6-24
- Why it matters: The break reshapes the NHL schedule and gives Flyers players a chance to compete on the world stage
The National Hockey League announced a 19-day pause in February to allow players to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics, a move that will affect every team, including the Philadelphia Flyers, whose defenseman Travis Sanheim earned a spot on Team Canada.
Olympic Break and Flyers Schedule
From February 6 to 24, the Flyers will be without a game as the league participates in the Olympics. The break creates a 19-day gap in the regular season, impacting team rhythm and player availability.
Sanheim’s Olympic Journey
Sanheim, 29, was named to Team Canada after recording 3 goals, 14 assists, and a plus-4 rating in 38 games this season. He leads the Flyers in minutes, averaging 24:38 per game, placing him among the NHL’s top ten in that category.
- Drafted 2014 first-round pick by the Flyers
- Ninth season with the club
- Coached by Rick Tocchet, Canadian assistant coach
- Gold medal teammate at 4 Nations Face-Off last February
Player Spotlight
Travis Sanheim expressed excitement about representing Canada.
Travis Sanheim stated:
> “Just looking back a couple of years, where my career has kind of come, I never thought that this day would happen.
> It just shows the work and dedication that I’ve had and put into this game, just trying to get better each and every day.
> I still continue to do that and feel like I can continue to grow my game. To be at the level that I’m at now and be able to play in an Olympic Games is really special and something that I never thought was possible.”
Konecny, a 28-year-old winger with 35 points and a plus-11 rating in 38 games, did not make the roster.
Key Takeaways
- NHL pauses February play for 2026 Olympics, affecting all teams
- Flyers’ Travis Sanheim joins Team Canada
- Flyers will be idle for 19 days, from Feb 6-24
The pause offers Flyers players a unique opportunity to compete internationally while reshaping the league’s mid-season rhythm.
