Milano Cortina’s host nation has named its men’s Olympic hockey roster.
Despite NHL players returning to the Winter Games for the first time in 12 years, Italy has named players from the European leagues only to its roster, the list of which was made public on Tuesday.
“It wasn’t easy, because the differences between the different profiles are subtle, but we are still convinced we have selected the best possible team for this event,” Italy head coach Jukka Jalonen said, translated from Italian in a statement on the team’s website. “…I never like to talk about individuals. Each Italian player will have their own role to play for the good of the team.”
Despite no players having NHL experience, Damian Clara (goalie) and Thomas Larkin (defenceman), both named to Italy’s roster, were drafted by the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets, respectively.
Below is the full roster for Italy. You can keep up with all announced rosters here.
Forwards
Matthew Bradley (HC Bolzano)
Tommaso De Luca (Ambrì Piotta/Switzerland)
Cristiano DiGiacinto (HC Bolzano)
Luca Frigo (HC Bolzano)
Mikael Frycklund (HC Val Pusteria)
Dustin Gazley (HC Bolzano)
Diego Kostner (Ambrì Piotta/Switzerland)
Daniel Mantenuto (HC Bolzano)
Giovanni Morini (Lugano/Switzerland)
Alexander Petan (Olimpija Ljubljana/Slovenia)
Tommy Purdeller (HC Val Pusteria)
Nick Saracino (HC Val Pusteria)
Alessandro Segafredo (ZSC Lions Zurich/Switzerland)
Marco Zanetti (HC Lugano/Switzerland)
Defenders
Dylan Di Perna (HC Bolzano)
Gregory Di Tomaso (HC Val Pusteria)
Daniel Glira (HC Val Pusteria)
Thomas Larkin (Schwenninger Wild Wings/Germany)
Phil Pietroniro (Rytiri Kladno/Czech Republic)
Jason Seed (HC Bolzano)
Alex Trivellato (Schwenninger Wild Wings/Germany)
Luca Zanatta (HC Val Pusteria)
Goalies
Damian Clara (Brynäs IF/Sweden)
Davide Fadani (Kloten/Switzerland)
Gianluca Vallini (HC Bolzano)
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