Vanhanen to Play for Finland at 2026 Olympics
1/2/2026 10:19:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State women's hockey freshman forward Sanni Vanhanen will play for Team Finland at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced Friday.
Vanhanen is currently third for Ohio State in points with 18 in her first 18 collegiate games. She is also third on the team with 10 goals on the year. The Tampere, Finland native is a key part of the Buckeyes' success on the faceoff with a .649 win percentage and 179 wins at the dot.
This year marks Vanhanen's second Olympic appearance. In 2022, she helped the team to a bronze medal finish. She is a five-time IIHF Women's World Championships team member for Finland.
Vanhanen is one of five players on the roster who currently compete in the NCAA. She joins Team USA's Cayla Barnes ('24), Hannah Bilka ('24) and Joy Dunne as Buckeyes who will skate in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Ohio State Women's Hockey at the Olympics
The Ohio State women's hockey team has had a representative at every Olympic Games since women's ice hockey became an Olympic sport in 1998. Since then, 11 Buckeyes have made a total of 21 appearances at the Olympics through the games in 2022.
Women's Ice Hockey at the XXV Olympiad
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 hold its opening ceremonies Feb. 6. Women's ice hockey will be contested Feb. 5-19 at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena and Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan. Preliminary rounds will be held Feb. 5-10 before quarterfinal playoffs and semifinals are contested Feb. 13-14 and Feb. 16, respectively. Medal games will be contested Feb. 19.
For more information on game schedule and matchups, visit: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/iho.
Vanhanen is currently third for Ohio State in points with 18 in her first 18 collegiate games. She is also third on the team with 10 goals on the year. The Tampere, Finland native is a key part of the Buckeyes' success on the faceoff with a .649 win percentage and 179 wins at the dot.
This year marks Vanhanen's second Olympic appearance. In 2022, she helped the team to a bronze medal finish. She is a five-time IIHF Women's World Championships team member for Finland.
Vanhanen is one of five players on the roster who currently compete in the NCAA. She joins Team USA's Cayla Barnes ('24), Hannah Bilka ('24) and Joy Dunne as Buckeyes who will skate in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Ohio State Women's Hockey at the Olympics
The Ohio State women's hockey team has had a representative at every Olympic Games since women's ice hockey became an Olympic sport in 1998. Since then, 11 Buckeyes have made a total of 21 appearances at the Olympics through the games in 2022.
Women's Ice Hockey at the XXV Olympiad
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 hold its opening ceremonies Feb. 6. Women's ice hockey will be contested Feb. 5-19 at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena and Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan. Preliminary rounds will be held Feb. 5-10 before quarterfinal playoffs and semifinals are contested Feb. 13-14 and Feb. 16, respectively. Medal games will be contested Feb. 19.
For more information on game schedule and matchups, visit: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/iho.
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