Switzerland leaves 44-year-old ski-jump great Simon Ammann off Winter Olympics team

BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Switzerland left 44-year-old ski-jumping great Simon Ammann out of a team of 175 athletes picked Monday for the Milan Cortina Olympics that includes three defending champions.

At the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, he was a double gold medalist whose Harry Potter-like spectacles and boyish charm led to him being a studio guest on David Letterman’s late-night show.

Ammann competed at all seven Winter Games since 1998 in Nagano, Japan and also won two gold medals at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

An eighth selection would have tied him with the Winter Games record held jointly by Japanese ski jumper Noriaki Kasai and German speed skater Claudia Pechstein, according to the history site Olympedia.

Kasai took silver at age 41 in the large hill event at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where Ammann placed 23rd.

The Swiss selectors, instead, will take to Italy the 19-year-old Felix Trunz, who was not born when Ammann won at Salt Lake.

Ammann has a best result of 20th in a World Cup event this season and last finished on a podium in January 2018.

Alpine ski superstar Marco Odermatt is a standout selection and shapes as a strong medal contender in downhill and super-G. He will also defend the giant slalom title he won in China four years ago.

The other defending champion skiers are Corinne Suter in women's downhill and Ryan Regez in men's skicross.

The Milan Cortina Olympics open Feb. 6.

AP Winter Olympics at https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

FILE - Simon Ammann of Switzerland shows off his two Olympic gold medals after receiving his second gold medal for his performance in the K120 ski jump in Salt Lake City, on Feb. 13, 2002. (AP Photo/Tom Hanson, CP, FILE)

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill, in Wengen, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt listens to the national anthem on the podium after winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill, in Wengen, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

Simon Ammann of Switzerland in action during the men's team flying trial round at the Nordic skiing/ski jumping World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany, Sunday Jan. 25, 2026. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mitch Marner had three goals and two assists and the Golden Knights scored three times in the third period to defeat the Calgary Flames 6-3 on Thursday night.

It was the sixth time in Marner's career that he had at least five points in a game and the first since also having five (one goal, four assists) for Toronto against Boston on Jan. 4, 2025.

Ivan Barbashev had a goal and and two assists, Mark Stone had an assist for his 700th career point and Pavel Dorofeyev added to his club record with his 19th power-play goal this season and 35th overall. Shea Theodore recorded two assists, including the 300th of his career with the team.

Carter Hart, who was activated off injured reserve earlier Thursday, stopped 19 shots in his first start since Jan. 8.

Blake Coleman scored twice for the Flames and Morgan Frost had the other goal. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves.

The Golden Knights are five points ahead of Los Angeles and San Jose for the third and final Pacific Division playoff spot. Vegas is three points behind division leaders Anaheim and Edmonton.

Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud received a video tribute at the first timeout of the opening period. He became emotional, patted his heart and waved to the fans, who roared at the return of one of the more beloved players in franchise history. He was with the Golden Knights since the 2017-18 season and became a regular three years later.

The Golden Knights traded Whitecloud to Calgary on Jan. 18 for Rasmus Andersson.

Calgary took the lead three times before Vegas answered with the equalizer each time, with the game tied at 3 entering the second intermission.

The beginning of the third period was delayed more than 20 minutes because of an issue with a spot on the ice.

Flames: Play at Anaheim on Saturday.

Golden Knights: Play at Edmonton on Saturday in a crucial Pacific Division matchup.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud, center, salutes the fans during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) stops a shot behind Calgary Flames left wing Joel Farabee (86) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates with the puck against Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Calgary Flames center John Beecher (18) celebrates after his goal with defenseman Zayne Parekh (19) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)