This past February, Michaela Hesová ’28 played for the Czechia women’s national hockey team in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy. She was the goalkeeper for Czechia’s games against Switzerland and Canada, before Czechia eventually lost in the quarterfinals to Sweden. Hesová has played goaltender for the Big Green for the past two seasons. In an interview after the Olympics, The Dartmouth sat down with Hesová to talk about what the experience was like, how she made the team and what she is taking from her experience.
What was it like to play in the Olympics?
MH: It was obviously an incredible experience. It’s something that I’ve been striving towards my entire life. Hockey-wise, it did not work out as we wanted it to, but I’m glad that I got that experience. Hopefully, if I make it next time, then it will be even better.
What did getting selected for the team look like, and how did you prepare for the Games?
MH: Our selections for the Olympics actually started in the summer. We had Olympic trials in July. Then we had a camp in August, another camp in November, another camp in December and then a pre-camp at the end of January. Essentially, the process was until, I want to say, Jan. 6. I had no idea where I was going. I was trying to figure out my school because obviously, that’s a big chunk of time to miss out of the term. So that was really keeping me on the edge of my seat. But when I found out, that was one of the best [pieces of] news I’ve ever got in my entire life.
Training-wise, I was obviously here at Dartmouth, which I knew was going to prepare me well. With the team, we had around six weeks together where we just practiced our systems. That’s some off-ice conditioning, on-ice conditioning to really make sure that we’re ready for the games.
What role did Dartmouth play in your Olympic experience?
MH: They’ve been behind my back this entire time. I probably would not have made it if it wasn't for Dartmouth. The experience I’ve had, I can’t equal it to anything else.
What was one of your favorite games to play?
MH: I got to play in for the majority of [the game] against Canada. That’s always an incredible experience. Canada is the hockey country of the world. Everybody knows that. I only got scored on from PKs, and there were only two goals, which for me is a new career [low] against Canada. Last time I played against them, I got scored on three times within around 12 minutes. So I was pleased with my performance, but unfortunately, we ended up losing that game, too.
Have you always wanted to play in the Olympics?
MH: Yes. I want to say they’ve been my goal ever since I understood that women’s hockey is in the Olympics, which was in the year 2012 when Canada was playing the U.S. in the championship game. I was watching that game with my parents. My parents also had basically no idea about how women’s hockey works at that time because I was seven years old. That really set a bar for me that I wanted to reach. Alongside playing in the NCAA, which I’ve already accomplished, the Olympics have always been the ultimate goal.
What will you take with you from the experience?
MH: I’ll definitely take the smiles and happiness of my family that I saw when they saw me at that stage. My oldest brother, who unfortunately could not make it, sent me countless messages. The first message was “I’m getting old because I just saw you on TV,” and I immediately started to bawl. That’s an incredible experience, that I made [the Games], and I was there. But what I’m mostly taking away from it is how happy the people around me have been. My grandma had a smile ear-to-ear the entire time. She’s almost 80 years old, and she made it to Italy. Those are the things I think I would cherish the most.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
