Orono, Maine – With the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics officially underway, the University of Maine is excited to announce that nine former Black Bears have been selected to represent their respective countries at the prestigious event.

The 2026 Winter Olympics, which are being held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy, will have approximately 2,900 athletes from over 90 National Olympic Committees competing across the 16 day event from Feb. 6 through Feb. 22. A couple of events have already begun, with already some Black Bears being featured on the world's greatest stage. The following Black Bears have the honor of representing their country: 

• Anna Caumo - Italy - Ice Hockey
• Frank Del Duca - USA - Bobsled
• Rahel Enzler - Switzerland - Ice Hockey
• Ida Kuoppala - Finland - Ice Hockey
• Vendula Pribylová - Czechia - Ice Hockey
• Jeremy Swayman - USA - Ice Hockey
• John Tortorella - USA - Ice Hockey (coach)
• Eduards Tralmaks - Latvia - Ice Hockey
• Tereza Vanisová - Czechia - Ice Hockey

Caumo played one season for Maine (2022-23) where she appeared in 24 games while tallying two goals.

Del Duca, who spent four years as a Black Bear from 2010-2014, spent four seasons as a member of the University of Maine Track & Field program, where he earned the America East Conference Title in the long jump during his time at Maine. This will be his second time representing Team USA at the Olympics and he will be the flag bearer for Team USA during the opening ceremony in Milan.

Enzler, who spent four years as a Black Bear from 2020-2024, tallied 11 goals and 37 assists for 48 points in her collegiate career as a Black Bear. She tallied career-highs during her senior season as she had six goals, 20 assists and 26 points for Maine. This will be her second time representing Team Switzerland at the Olympics.

Kuoppala, who spent five years as a Black Bear from 2019-2024, tallied 66 goals and 59 assists for 125 points in her collegiate career as a Black Bear. Her 66 goals are the second-most ever by a Black Bear and her 125 points are the second-most by a Black Bear. This will be her first time representing Team Finland at the Olympics.

Pribylová, who spent four years as a Black Bear from 2016-2020, tallied 21 goals and 39 assists for 60 points in her collegiate career as a Black Bear. She registered double-digit points in each of her four collegiate seasons at Maine. This will be her second time representing Team Czechia at the Olympics.

Swayman, who spent three years as a Black Bear from 2017-2020, recorded 3,130 saves during his collegiate career at Maine. He accrued 47 wins and 4 shutouts during his time as a Black Bear and has spent the past five years as a member of the Boston Bruins in the NHL. This will be his first time representing Team USA at the Olympics.

Tortorella, a pioneer for the men's ice hockey program, was the gritty heart and soul of the Black Bears from 1978-81 while totaling 110 points on 39 goals and 71 assists in 99 games. Following his time in Orono, Tortorella went on to enjoy a legendary coaching career in the National Hockey League including head coaching stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2000-08), New York Rangers (2009-13), Vancouver Canucks (2013-14), Columbus Blue Jackets (2015-21), and was named the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers on June 17, 2022. Tortorella became the first former Black Bear to win the Stanley Cup when he guided Tampa Bay to the title in 2004. That season, Tortorella was honored with the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL's Coach of the Year. As a head coach, Tortorella has guided his franchises to 12 playoff appearances while compiling 673 wins in 1,383 career games at the helm behind the bench. He was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

Tralmaks, who spent four years as a Black Bear from 2017-2021, tallied 39 goals and 43 assists for 82 points during his time as a Black Bear. He set career-highs during his Junior campaign at Maine as he had 14 goals and 16 assists for the nationally ranked Black Bears. This will be his first time representing Team Latvia at the Olympics.

Vanisová, who spent four years as a Black Bear from 2016-2020, tallied 63 goals and 66 assists for 129 points in her collegiate career as a Black Bear. She is the programs all-time leader in points, assists, is third in goals and second in game-winning goals with 14. This will be her second time representing Team Czechia at the Olympics.

-UMaine-

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