Former Canadiens draft pick's shocking goal kept Italy competitive against Sweden

While most Canadiens fans will have their eyes on how well Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkosvky, Alexandre Texier, and Oliver Kapanen are doing during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, it was former Montreal draft pick Matt Bradley and an unfamiliar hockey nation stealing the headlines during the opening day of the men's hockey tournament. Host nation Italy were taking on hockey juggernauts Sweden for their opening game, and for the first 55 minutes, it looked like one of the favourites of this year's tournament could be facing an early upset.

Italy vs Sweden recap

The Italian roster is not comprised of a large number of NHL talent; in fact, only one of their players is currently part of an NHL organization, goaltender Damien Clara, who was a second-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2023. Clara stole the show for Italy, stopping 48 out of the 51 shots he faced before exiting the game early in the third due to injury. Even though Italy was behind the eight-ball when it comes to NHL talent, it was the host nation that struck first in the game, thanks to Luca Frigo, who opened the scoring just over four minutes into the game.

Sweden looked to have regained control of the game, tying the game up halfway through the first, and then taking the lead with two minutes left in the frame. Sweden outshot Italy 27 to 3 in the first period, but the Italians did not waver, as it took them just 37 seconds of the second period to equalize the game. The goalscorer? Former Canadiens 2015 fifth-round pick Bradley. The name might not ring any bells for Canadiens fans, as he never played a game with the organization in either the NHL or AHL, but he was able to deliver a crucial goal on hockey’s biggest stage. While Italy could not complete the upset, losing the game 5-2, they made Sweden dig deep against a nation no one believed could win a game in this tournament.

Matt Bradley's journey

Bradley’s journey to the Olympics began in Canada. Having played his junior career with the Medicine Hat Tigers and Regina Pats, the Canadiens drafted him 131st overall, with a pick they acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Daniel Briere. After his junior career, the Canadiens elected not to sign him to his entry-level contract; however, he continued to play in North America, playing for the Newfoundland Growlers and Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the ECHL. He briefly played in the AHL for the Toronto Marlies and Milwaukee Admirals, but after playing just six games in the AHL, he decided it was time for a change and went to play in Europe.

He began his career in Europe in the International Central European Hockey League (ICEHL) with the Vienna Capitals. ICEHL is the top hockey league in Austria, but it is comprised of teams scattered across Europe, including Italy, Hungary, and Slovenia. After two seasons with the Capitals, Bradley entered a new challenge, signing for the Straubing Tigers in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), Germany’s top division. However, after just one season, Bradley returned to the ICEHL, signing for HC Bolzano. In two seasons with HC Bolzano, Bradley has amassed 27 goals and 81 points in 89 games, leading the team in scoring in his first season.

Now Bradley is on hockey’s biggest stage, scoring against one of the top nations in the world, in a game no one gave Italy a chance to score a goal, let alone an opportunity to win. No one will be taking Italy lightly after that performance, even with them giving up 60 shots against. The journey will only get more difficult now, with starting goalie Clara going down late in the game with an injury, but if Italy has proven anything so far, it is that you should not take them lightly.