Canada will be a favorite at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics after winning the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.
The country also won gold at the last two Olympics that featured NHL players (2010 in Vancouver and 2014 in Sochi).
Canada already named Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby (who scored the golden goal in 2010), Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point and Florida’s Sam Reinhart.
The rest of the team was unveiled on Wednesday, Dec. 31. San Jose Sharks youngster Macklin Celebrini was named, but Connor Bedard didn’t make the list.
Here are the Canadian players who will be going to the 2026 Winter Olympics:
Canada’s first six named
F Sidney Crosby, Penguins
F Connor McDavid, Oilers
F Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche
F Brayden Point, Lightning
F Sam Reinhart, Panthers
D Cale Makar, Avalanche
Canada’s remaining forwards
Macklin Celebrini, Sharks
Anthony Cirelli, Lightning
Brandon Hagel, Lightning
Bo Horvat, Islanders
Brad Marchand, Panthers
Mitch Marner, Golden Knights
Mark Stone, Golden Knights
Nick Suzuki, Canadiens
Tom Wilson, Capitals
Canada’s remaining defensemen
Drew Doughty, Kings
Thomas Harley, Stars
Josh Morrissey, Jets
Colton Parayko, Blues
Travis Sanheim, Flyers
Shea Theodore, Golden Knights
Devon Toews, Avalanche
Canada’s goaltenders
Jordan Binnington, Blues
Darcy Kuemper, Kings
Logan Thompson, Capitals
Canada Olympic hockey roster analysis
Lots of offense on this team. McDavid, MacKinnon and Celebrini are the top three scorers in the NHL, and Marchand, Reinhart, Crosby and Horvat join them as 20-goal scorers. Suzuki is a top playmaker.
There’s grit, too, with Marchand and Wilson. Their inclusion left playoff MVP Sam Bennett off the roster. Two-way players Cirelli and Hagel are back from the 4 Nations Face-Off. Lightning/Canada coach Jon Cooper can testify to their importance.
The defense is solid. It’s the same one as at the 4 Nations, led by the gifted Makar. Harley played a big role at the 4 Nations after arriving as an injury replacement.
The question is the goaltending. That was a question heading into the 4 Nations, too, though Binnington shined there. He’s struggling big time this season, but his body of work (also a 2019 Stanley Cup) won out. Thompson has been strong this season and could do well in net if Binnington doesn’t rebound behind a stronger defense.
Team Canada biggest snubs
Canada’s pool is so deep that it’s not really snubs, just hard choices. And GM Doug Armstrong said players could be considered as injury replacements.
Bedard, the 2023 No. 1 overall, was having a breakout season and Armstrong said he was considered until the end. Bedard’s injury didn’t play a role, he said.
Winnipeg forward Mark Scheifele didn’t make the cut for the second year in a row.
Defenseman Matthew Schaefer was generating buzz at 18, but didn’t make the team. He’ll be there in future tournaments.