Niko Mikkola Earns Olympic Spot with Team Finland After Stellar Panthers Season

Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola, 29, has been named to Team Finland's 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic roster. Mikkola, who also represented Finland at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, has been stellar on the Panthers' blueline this season. He's recorded 1 goal and 6 points in 39 games, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time. Coach Paul Maurice heavily relies on Mikkola in both offensive and defensive zones, where he starts the most shifts among Panthers defenders.