Travis Sanheim, Flyers’ Defenseman representing Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, recently addressed concerns about the Olympic rink size.
“I don’t think it’ll be too much,” Travis Sanheim said in an Olympic presser today. “Not too concerned. It’s like any other sheet, in different buildings, throughout the league.”
This comes amid some discussion about the rink dimensions in Milan. Olympic (IIHF) rinks are typically larger than NHL ones (200×100 feet vs. NHL’s 200×85 feet), but reports indicate the Milan venue’s ice surface is shorter than standard NHL length by around 3 feet in some contexts, leading to tighter neutral zones and potentially faster, more congested play.
Some players have expressed preferences for larger ice, but Sanheim’s take reflects confidence in adapting, viewing it as just another variation in venues. As a big, mobile defenseman (6’3 with strong skating and reach), Sanheim’s style—emphasized by Team Canada General Manager Doug Armstrong for defensive reliability and “arms and legs” coverage—should suit the setup well, especially on a condensed surface where physicality and gap control matter more.He’s focused on representing Canada, having expressed excitement about the opportunity after earning his spot on the roster.
The Olympics kick off soon, and Sanheim seems ready to roll regardless of the ice specs. Good luck to him, and the rest of the Flyers Olympians.
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