Three Winnipeg Jets players remain in medal contention after the quarterfinals at the Olympics

Three of the four Winnipeg Jets playing in Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics are still in the running for a medal after two exciting days of “best on best” hockey. On Tuesday there were four fairly exciting ‘qualifiers’ leading to the quarter-finals, followed by the four quarter-finals on Wednesday, three of which ended in extra time. While some NHL players will now return home to their NHL teams, others will prepare for the semifinals on Friday and the medal games on Saturday and Sunday. Time to catch you up on the latest updates on the Jets at the Olympics.

Nino Niederreiter – Switzerland

Nino Niederreiter failed to get on the scoresheet during Switzerland’s first three matches. The Swiss finished just outside the top 4, leaving them as the 5th seed to play 12th-seeded Italy on Tuesday. Switzerland defeated Italy 51-20, but only won 3-0 as Damian Clara made 48 saves for Italy. Five of those saves came from Niederreiter’s shots on goal, but he remained scoreless en route to the quarterfinals.

Switzerland had a strong first period against Finland in their quarter-final, jumping out to a 2-0 lead after the first. Switzerland’s second goal came from none other than Nino Niederreiter, who finally got on the scoresheet at the Olympics. Unfortunately for Niederreiter and the Swiss, Finland did not give up without a fight. Two goals in the last 7 minutes of the 3rd for Finland forced overtime, and about three minutes into the 3 vs. 3 overtime, Artturi Lehkonen scored on a breakaway to end Switzerland’s (and Niederreiter’s) time in the Olympics.

Josh Morrissey – Canada

Josh Morrissey hasn’t played since Canada’s first game against the Czech Republic. Morrissey left the game with an undisclosed lower-body injury and has now been a scratch for three straight games. Morrissey has been training with Canada since the injury, which indicates that the injury does not have to be too serious.

Canadian head coach Jon Cooper confirmed earlier this week that Morrissey’s tournament was “not over yet,” and now, following Canada’s 4-3 win against the Czech Republic, Jets fans are awaiting another update on his status. The question now is not so much whether Morrissey is healthy enough to play in the next game(s), but rather whether Canada would insert him back into the lineup. Morrissey could work his way back into the lineup if he proves he’s 100% ready, but Canada may not want to mess with their lineup as they head into their final two games of the tournament.

Kyle Connor – USA

Kyle Connor played in USA’s first two games but has now been a healthy scratch in the past two. USA advanced to the semi-finals after a 2-1 extra-time thriller against Sweden, and will now play Slovakia in the semi-finals. Jets fans are disappointed that Connor remains out of the lineup, and barring an injury or a drastic lineup change, Connor likely won’t be back in the lineup for the final two games.

Mark Scheifele, who was not selected for Team Canada, responded Wednesday to Connor being scratched recently, saying it must be difficult for him to be in that situation. Jets fans are of course familiar with the chemistry of their star players on the first line, and Scheifele said “to see that [he’s scratched]You just feel for him as a friend and you just hope things go well for him. I’m always there for him if he wants to talk.” Hopefully, despite not playing, Connor is in good spirits and is back with the Jets in a week’s time scoring goals (and probably with a medal).

Connor Hellebuyck – USA

The most impactful Winnipeg Jets player at the Olympics remains Connor Hellebuyck. After starting two of USA’s first three games, USA returned to Hellebuyck for their quarterfinal against Sweden. Hellebuyck made 28 saves on 29 shots, allowing just one goal in his third straight game. With the win, Hellebuyck is now a perfect 3-0-0 in the Olympics with a 0.98 GAA and a .958 SV%.

Hellebuyck hasn’t necessarily been super “busy” in any of his three starts, but he has done whatever it takes to help the US get their wins. Hellebuyck will most likely be the starting goalkeeper for the US for the remainder of this tournament as he looks to help the US win its first Olympic gold medal since 1980.

Be sure to follow the latest updates on the men’s hockey tournament here on JetsNation and on the official Olympic website as Sunday’s gold medal game approaches. While only one of the three remaining Jets at the Olympics will make an impact on their team, there’s still a very good chance they’ll bring all three medals back to Winnipeg when it’s all said and done.

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