The men's hockey tournament at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is notable due to the return of NHL players, missing from the Olympics for 12 years. This allows for a highly competitive environment as teams play in a round-robin format within their groups. The top three teams and the best second-placed team from each group will directly advance to the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight teams will compete in qualification playoffs to secure the last quarterfinal spots.

Latvia's national team, which has assembled one of its strongest rosters to date, features six active NHL players, enhancing their chances of performing well in the tournament. The draw format indicates that there won't be preliminary warm-up games, making each match crucial right from the start. The finals will take place on February 22, creating an intense build-up towards the medal round.

The inclusion of NHL players represents a significant change and raises expectations for the tournament's competitiveness. The Latvian team's strong lineup exemplifies their commitment to succeed and raises national hopes for a medal finish, aiming to mark a significant achievement in their Olympic history.