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Rickard Rakell discusses dream opportunity to represent Sweden at the Olympic Games
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
This evening, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell spoke to the media about his excitement to represent Sweden at the 2026 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games are just a couple of weeks away meaning that players are fully ramping themselves up for what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
For Rickard Rakell, this moment is years in the making as NHL players will return to the Olympics for first time since 2014 in Russia.
Ahead of the tournament, Rakell spoke to the media about making Team Sweden and could not hold back his excitement.
Rickard Rakell shares his excitement to represent Sweden at the Olympics
During the recent press conference, Rakell admitted that representing his country will be a dream come true and he will leave everything he has out on the ice to try and win gold.
It's a dream come true for me. First time, first chance for me to go there and do that. So, I'm just going to take it all in and leave it all out there. Just have a chance to win a gold medal.
Rakell was then asked about having to compromise with the NHL schedule being more compact and he confirmed it was well worth the sacrifice for the opportunity of the lifetime.
I think it's been great. Even though it changes our schedule a little bit, especially with the Olympics since that's going on for such a long time, the NHL season has to compress a little bit. But, at the same time, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.
Rakell will be joined by fellow Penguin Erik Karlsson as Sweden looks to capture their first gold medal since 2006 and their second gold overall at the Olympic Games.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 19|124 ANSWERS Rickard Rakell discusses dream opportunity to represent Sweden at the Olympic Games Do you think Sweden will win the Gold medal at the Olympic Games in hockey? | ||
| Yes | 27 | 21.8 % |
| No | 97 | 78.2 % |
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