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LAKE PLACID, NY – FEBRUARY 22: Team USA celebrates after defeating the Soviet Union to advance to the Gold Medal game during the 1980 Olympic Games on February 22, 1980 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)

Buffalo Sabres’ Most Successful Olympians of All-Time

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Ryan Womeldorf | Last updated Feb 14, 2026 9:05 AM ET

The entire hockey world has shifted from individual leagues to the greatest global spectacle of them all: the Winter Olympics. For the first time since 2014, the NHL is sending the best of the best to represent their countries in the pursuit of gold.

For Sabres fans, shifting focus from the success of the local team and what they may do coming out of the break to the Games is a bit of a shift. As the men’s tournament gets underway, why not take a look at some of the former Sabres who have had success on the biggest international stage in hockey?

The Big Winners

There are scores of former NHL players who went to multiple Olympic Games and came home empty-handed. To go multiple times – showing your value and importance to your country’s team – and bring back multiple medals shows how special the experience can be.

Dominik Hasek/Jaroslav Spacek, Czech Republic (1998, 2006) – When NHL players debuted in the Olympics in 1998, the United States and Canada were the big favorites. Neither would reach the podium, however.

The Czechs shocked the world by taking gold on the biggest stage. Spacek played a top four role for the Czech defense, though he didn’t have a point during the tournament. It was Hasek, however, who was the difference-maker. The reigning Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP was dominant in the tournament, allowing just a single goal in the semifinals and gold medal game.

The duo would return once again with the Czech Olympic team in 2006, the swan song for them internationally. Though it didn’t have the same underdog result, both had to be pleased to return with a bronze medal.

Alexei Zhitnik/Andrei Trefilov , Unified Team/Russia (1992, 1998) – The Unified Team came in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, but the remnants of the international power remained strong on the ice, resulting in gold at the 1992 in Albertville.

The duo would return with Team Russia for the 1998 installment. Zhitnik served in a top four role for the Russian defense, contributing a pair of assists. Trefilov, meanwhile, backed up Mikhail Shtalenkov, earning a win in two appearances as Russia ultimately fell to the Hasek-led Czechs in the gold medal game.

The Gold Medal Club

The ultimate goal when making the Olympic hockey team is to capture a gold medal. In addition to Hasek, Spacek, Zhitnik, and Trefilov, just six other Sabres have managed to get the gold medal draped around their necks.

Mike Ramsey/Rob MClanahan, USA 1980 – The most famous gold medal win in the history of the sport and there were a pair of future Sabres on the roster. Both played their role in the win, what many call the greatest upset in sports history over the Soviet Union in the semifinal before toppling the Finns for gold.

Alexander Mogilny, Soviet Union 1988 – Just before making the scary and dangerous jump to the NHL, Mogilny was helping the Soviet team to yet another gold medal. As one of the youngest members of the team (18 years old), Mogilny played sparingly but added five points in six games.

Yuri Khmylev, Unified Team 1992 – The final installment of the non-Russian teams, the Unified Team was the last gasp of the Soviet dynasty. The Unified Team captured gold in Albertville with Khmylev playing a big role by contributing 10 points in eight games to finish third on the team in scoring.

Petr Svoboda, Czech Republic 1998 – A third Sabre from that surprise Czech group was there, though his role was more of a veteran support role. He chipped in with a goal and an assist, not to mention solid defensive play, en route to the gold medal victory.

Eric Staal, Canada 2022 – The 2022 edition was a bit different seeing as how the NHL stopped sending their best after the 2014 Games. That said, the Canadian roster featured a mix of known former and future NHLers, 500-goalscorer Staal among them. At 37 years old, Staal chipped in four points in five games to help Canada capture the gold.

Teppo Numminen – 3x Medal-Winner

When talking about solid, understated careers, Teppo Numminen’s face could be on the poster. After all, he logged 20 NHL seasons, amassing 637 points in 1,372 career games. He also appeared in four Olympics as a stalwart for the Finnish defense.

Numminen helped the 1988 group capture silver and returned with the NHLers in 1998 to represent his country in three more Games. He would help the 1998 group capture bronze in Nagano before finishing with his second silver in the 2006 Turin Games.

Single Medal Winners

Winning a medal at the Olympics is no small feat. These former Sabres all managed to add an Olympic medal to their collections:

Ryan Miller – USA 2010 (silver)
Henrik Tallinder – Sweden 2014 (silver)
Patrik Berglund – Sweden 2014 (silver)
Marcus Johasson – Sweden 2014 (silver)
Christian Ehrhoff – Germany 2018 (silver)
Dave Hannan – Canada 1992 (silver)
Joe Juneau – Canada 1992 (silver)
Jason Wooley – Canada 1992 (silver)
Maxim Afinogenov – Russia 2002 (bronze)
Ales Kotalik – Czech Republic 2006 (bronze)

Can Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin Add to the List?

The Sabres are already off to a hot start at the Olympics despite the news that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen would miss the Games due to injury. The Swedes have historically been a contender, but it is the Americans – and their Canadian rivals – that most feel will be the biggest threats for gold. Imagine if Dahlin or Thompson brough a gold medal back into the locker room to ignite the playoff push.