BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE OLYMPICS WITH SAMUEL HLAVAJ AND DAVID SPACEK

Mar 19, 2026

Over the course of two weeks in February, the world stopped to watch the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. While most professional hockey players tuned in from home, Iowa Wild players Samuel Hlavaj and David Spacek represented their respective countries in best-on-best competition. 

Hlavaj and Spacek were the first Iowa Wild players to participate in the Olympics while currently skating with the team, which also sent eight other alumni to the tournament. Each player took photos throughout the trip to document their experience and bring memories back to Iowa Wild teammates and fans. 

TRAVEL 

David Spacek: I went through New York City on my way to Milan. I had been once before but didn’t remember much. I saw the 9/11 Memorial, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center. I also went up in One Vanderbilt, which is a really tall building with views of the whole city. 

 

I tried to see Milan when we had some days off. We went to see the Duomi di Milano, which was cool. 

Samuel Hlavaj: Milan was really nice. It’s a fashion city, so I would say like everybody there was well dressed. I enjoyed the Italian culture. Nobody's in the rush, and everybody has time to stop for a coffee or lunch or a drink. 

OPENING CEREMONIES 

Samuel Hlavaj: The opening ceremonies were spread out, so in Milan the Slovakian team was just speed skating, figure skating, and hockey. The coolest part was walking to our seats, but it was a long wait. We waited probably for two hours outside because we went out alphabetically. 

THE VILLAGE 

David Spacek: We stayed in the Olympic Village, but I forgot to take pictures. I did have a roommate, Jiri Tichachek.  

Samuel Hlavaj: Slovakia rented a house so they could show Slovakian culture. We had “Casa Slovakia” there which included a Slovakian restaurant. We went there a few days before the first game for dinner. Right when we were about to do a toast, the Slovakian president walked in. We asked him, “Mr. President, do you want to do a toast with us?” and he did! 

ON THE ICE 

David Spacek: My favorite games was probably against Canada, both of them. Defending McDavid and MacKinnon on the same line was pretty cool. You have to have a little respect for them, but on the other hand, you have to play normally, so I enjoyed it. 

Samuel Hlavaj: It was great to be able to compare to the NHL guys, and also it was close to home, so there was so many Slovakian fans. My favorite game was probably the first against Finland when we won. I enjoyed every moment of that.