Canada Announces 2026 Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Roster for Milano-Cortina Games
Hockey Canada has officially named its 25-man men’s ice hockey roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, unveiling a powerful blend of seasoned NHL veterans and emerging stars ready to compete for Olympic gold. This roster marks Canada’s return to best-on-best international competition with NHL players participating for the first time since 2014. Reuters
Star-Studded Lineup Highlights
Canada’s Olympic hockey team announcement features a wealth of elite National Hockey League talent:
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Sidney Crosby — veteran forward and Olympic gold medalist from Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. Team Canada
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Connor McDavid — widely regarded as one of the NHL’s most dynamic players, making his Olympic debut. Team Canada
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Nathan MacKinnon — explosive centre known for his scoring ability and leadership. Team Canada
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Cale Makar — offensive defenseman and Norris Trophy contender. Team Canada
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Macklin Celebrini — 19-year-old phenom selected as the youngest member of the roster, showcasing Canada’s commitment to youthful talent. Wikipedia
Other returning forwards include Brayden Point, Sam Reinhart, Brad Marchand, Mitch Marner, Anthony Cirelli, Bo Horvat, Mark Stone, and Nick Suzuki, ensuring depth across Canada’s forward corps. Hockey Canada
Defense and Goaltending Core
Canada’s defensive group maintains consistency with all eight defensemen from the dominant 4 Nations Face-Off team retained for the Olympics. This defensive corps includes:
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Drew Doughty — seasoned veteran with international experience. Hockey Canada
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Thomas Harley, Josh Morrissey, Colton Parayko, Travis Sanheim, Shea Theodore, and Devon Toews — a balance of steady back-end presence and puck-moving capabilities. Hockey Canada
In goal, Canada will depend on:
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Jordan Binnington
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Darcy Kuemper
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Logan Thompson
This trio blends stability and experience at one of the most critical positions in international competition. NBC Olympics
Olympic Experience and Team Narrative
While many players on this roster are Olympic newcomers, veterans like Crosby and Doughty bring invaluable experience. Crosby, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, provides leadership and a championship pedigree, while players like McDavid and MacKinnon seek their first Olympic medals. Team Canada
The inclusion of Celebrini, one of the most highly-touted young talents in hockey, signals Canada’s investment in building for both present success and future excellence. Wikipedia
Olympic Group and Competition
Canada will compete in Group A at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games alongside:
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Czech Republic
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Switzerland
The men’s ice hockey tournament runs from February 11 to 22, 2026, with the Maple Leafs hopeful of reclaiming Olympic gold after finishing outside the top spot in recent tournaments where NHL players were absent. 1450 AM 99.7 FM WHTC | Holland
Return of NHL Players to the Olympics
The 2026 Games mark the first time since 2014 that NHL players are allowed to compete in Olympic ice hockey, significantly elevating the level of competition. The return of elite professionals like McDavid, Crosby, and others adds excitement and global attention to the tournament, positioning it as a central event of the Winter Games. Reuters
What This Roster Means for Canada
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Depth and Balance: With elite talent at every position, Canada’s roster is constructed to withstand the rigours of international play.
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Leadership Meets Youth: Veterans provide leadership and stability, while emerging stars like Celebrini bring speed and creativity.
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Gold Medal Contention: With NHL elite players back and a deep roster, Canada enters the tournament as a serious gold medal favourite.
Fans across the country will be watching closely as Team Canada prepares for Olympic competition, with training camps and exhibition games set to fine-tune the roster ahead of the February games.