Kings’ Fiala Faces Season-End After Olympic Leg Surgery

Los Angeles Kings forward Kevin Fiala had surgery on his left leg after getting hurt in Switzerland's game against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The injury happened late in a 5-1 loss on Friday and means Fiala will miss the rest of the Olympics. People close to the team say it could keep him out for the entire NHL season.

Background

Kevin Fiala has been a steady scorer for the Kings over the last four years. This season, in 56 games, he put up 18 goals and 22 assists, for 40 points total. That puts him second on the team in scoring, right behind Adrian Kempe. The Kings sit three points behind the Anaheim Ducks for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference as the Olympic break started.

Fiala comes from St. Gallen, Switzerland. He has played for his country many times, including seven world championships. The Olympics were a big deal for him. The NHL skipped the last two Games in 2018 and 2022, so this was his first shot at best-on-best play on this stage. Switzerland put together their strongest team ever, and Fiala was a main part of it.

He started strong in Milan. In the opening game, a 4-0 win over France on Thursday, Fiala got an assist. That was his first Olympic point. He played 20 minutes and 4 seconds against Canada before the injury cut his tournament short.

Switzerland sits at 1-1 in Group A after the loss. They face Czechia on Sunday. The winner there takes second place in the group.

Key Details

The injury came with 2:50 left in the third period. Fiala went into the boards in the Canadian end. His legs got tangled with Canada's Tom Wilson. Wilson fell on Fiala's left leg. Fiala stayed down on his stomach. He got up on his elbows but could not move his lower body. Medical staff came out right away. They put him face down on a stretcher, with his leg in an air cast. Both teams watched as he left the ice. Players from Canada tapped their sticks in respect.

Swiss coach Patrick Fischer spoke after the game.

"We haven’t seen him yet. I think he went to the hospital. Obviously, it doesn’t look very good. Tough, tough, tough moment for Kevin and the whole team."

– Patrick Fischer, Switzerland head coach

Fiala went straight to a hospital in Italy. The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation said later that night he was out for the Olympics with a lower-leg injury. On Saturday, he had surgery there. No one has said exactly what the injury is yet.

Reactions from Players

Tom Wilson felt bad about it.

"It’s the Olympic Games and I feel terrible that he may not be able to keep playing. Just sending his family and him my best. You never want to see a guy go down, in a tournament like this, especially."

– Tom Wilson, Canada forward

No penalty was called on the play. Fischer called it an accident with no intent.

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty plays for Canada. He looked upset as Fiala left. Doughty hunched over and said something to his teammate.

"Tough to see. Hopefully he’s gonna be fine quick, we need that guy on my team back home, big-time. That’s not something I wanted, obviously, to happen. Gonna go find him right now and see how he’s doing."

– Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings defenseman

Doughty and goalie Darcy Kuemper, also Kings players on Canada, joined the stick taps.

Swiss captain Nico Hischier agreed there was no intent from Wilson.

Kings teammate Adrian Kempe, playing for Sweden, heard the news.

"Hope it's a speedy recovery for Kevin. He's an unbelievable player, great teammate and obviously it sucks to see something happen like that, especially when you come to a tournament, been waiting for all your life in a tournament like this."

– Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings forward

What This Means

For Switzerland, losing Fiala hurts their chances. He was a top player on their best Olympic roster. They now face Czechia without him. A win there gets them second in Group A and a good spot in the knockout rounds.

The Kings took a bigger hit. They count on Fiala down the stretch. Without him, their offense loses punch. They were already chasing a playoff spot. Now they must make do until he might return, if at all. The Olympic break ends soon. Games restart, and the Kings play some tough ones right away.

Fiala turns 30 in July. He is in year four of a big contract. The Kings gave him eight years and $82 million in 2023. He has hit 20 goals seven years in a row. Fans and the team hope he comes back strong next season.

No one knows the full recovery time yet. Surgery happened Saturday. Updates will come as doctors check him. For now, Fiala focuses on healing. The Kings adjust their lineup. They have depth but no one just like him.

Switzerland moves on without their star. The Olympics keep going. Canada stays strong in Group A. The injury reminds everyone how fast things change in hockey. One hit along the boards, and a season shifts.