Edo Terglav has selected the candidates for the first action of the season

Slovenian head coach Edo Terglav has named a squad of 23 players for the inaugural European Nations Cup tournament of the 2026-2027 season. The team will compete against Hungary, France, and Norway at the Coliseum arena in Amiens, France, from November 5 to November 7. The selection features a predominantly young group of athletes intended to gain experience during this early-season window. The national team, known locally as the Rises, will assemble at their traditional training base in Bled on Tuesday, November 3. According to the Slovenian Ice Hockey Association, the players will conduct two practice sessions there before flying to Paris the following day. They will then travel by bus to Amiens. Terglav, who took charge of the national side three years ago and guided them through two consecutive seasons in the elite division, will join the group directly in France. He resides and works in the country. The roster includes two goaltenders: Jon Dukarič of Jesenice and Luka Kolin of Epinal. Eight defensemen were called up, including Rožle Bohinc and Jan Ćosić from Olimpija, Tian Hebar from Chambery, Maks Perčič from Banik Sokolov, Tit Smolnikar from KAC Future Team, and Žiga Urukalo, Ožbe Šlibar, and Aljaž Zupančič from Jesenice. The forward line consists of thirteen players. Notable selections include Matic Török of Ilves and Anže Žeželj of SaiPa, both playing in Finland, along with Swiss-based forwards Mark Sever of Biel-Bienne and Nik Christian Petrovič of Zug. Other forwards include Miha Beričič, Maks Bukovec, Luka Gomboc, and Žiga Mehle from Olimpija; David Baloh and Žan Špari Leben from Jesenice; Mai Crnkić of Bietigheim Steelers; Borna Kopač of AIK; and Rok Macuh of Olomouc. This gathering marks the start of a new competitive period for Slovenia after securing back-to-back survival in the top tier last season in Switzerland. Half of the invited candidates currently play for domestic clubs Olimpija and Jesenice. The squad includes several debutants, such as Zupančič, son of former national team player and coach Aljaž Zupančič. Macuh returns to the national setup after a previous stint. The schedule begins on Thursday, November 5, at 4 p.m. local time with a match against Hungary. Slovenia faces France on Friday, November 6, at 8 p.m., and concludes the tournament against Norway on Saturday, November 7, at 3 p.m.