Islanders’ Simon Holmstrom not in Sweden’s Olympic plans: ‘I want to prove them wrong’

ELMONT, NY — New York Islanders winger Simon Holmstrom did not make Sweden’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina next month, nor is he on its list of potential reserves, the forward confirmed with amNewYork on Tuesday.

“It is what it is, you can’t really control it,” Holmstrom said. “I just have to focus here and do my best. There’s nothing I can control anymore. It’s over, and I just have to move forward.”

The 24-year-old is continuing to assert himself as a reliable and versatile two-way forward capable of top-tier penalty-killing and the occasional offensive outburst. He scored 20 goals last season and has nine points in his last 12 games after a slow start.

“I want to prove them wrong, show that they were wrong with their choice,” Holmstrom continued. “They have a great team. There’s a lot of tough decisions. A lot of guys could probably be on this team, as well. It just proves that Sweden has a lot of good hockey players, which is a good thing.”

His fellow countryman and Islanders teammate, Emil Heineman, is still unsure if he will factor in Sweden’s Olympic plans as a reserve. When asked if he was still in the Olympic drug testing or injury pool, he answered, “I don’t know.”

Acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in the Noah Dobson trade over the summer, the winger has 13 goals in 42 games, which is already a career-high.

It is a really good team, usually they have a lot of skilled players. To just feel like you’re almost there, it’s a great motivator for me, and I’ll try to give it a good try for next time.”

For more on Simon Holmstrom and the Islanders, visit AMNY.com