Flyers Goalie Says NHLers Would Play Olympics On Pond

Legendary actors Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn both won Oscars for the 1981 film On Golden Pond, and according to Philadelphia Flyers goalie Dan Vladar, he’d be quite content to pursue Olympic gold on a frozen pond.

For all the consternation in the media about the poor condition of the ice at the rink in Cortina, Italy, where the 2026 Winter Olympic hockey tournament is going to be held, Vladar insists that NHL players couldn't care less.

“I haven't noticed any of the players talking about this yet,” Vladar told Czech website NHL.cz. We will go there, even if it's to be played on a pond.”

Vladar was picked to play for Czechia’s team. It will be the first time since the 2014 Sochi Winter Games that NHL players will be participating in the Olympics.

“It's a dream come true,” Vladar said. “One of the highlights of my career that I've always wanted to achieve. I feel proud that I did it. I'm really looking forward to it.”

Vladar, Lukas Dostal of the Anaheim Ducks, and Karel Vejmelka of the Utah Mammoth are the three goalies selected to the Czech roster.

Vladar is ready to fight for the No. 1 role

“The choice will be up to the coaches,” Vladar said of who wins the starting nod. “The only thing I can influence is how prepared I am for the tournament. But I dare say that ego will go aside for all three goalkeepers. 

“We will fight for the Czech Republic, and I believe that each of us will accept the role that will be assigned to him.”

Vladar remembers watching his homeland play for past Olympic glory. He doesn’t hesitate when assessing his favorite memory.

“Definitely Nagano (in 1998)!” Vladar said. “I was a year old at the time, so I watched it back through various videos, but Nagano was still the absolute highlight for our generation. 

“When we were little, all the goalkeepers played like (Dominik) Hašek and all the forwards played like (Jaromir) Jágr and (Vladimir) Růžička.”