As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games begin, Team Canada’s men’s ice hockey roster has undergone significant last-minute changes. General Manager Doug Armstrong and Head Coach Jon Cooper have finalized the 25-man squad, blending legendary veteran leadership with the next generation of NHL superstars.
Breaking: Roster Adjustments and Injury Replacements
Just days before the opening puck drop, Team Canada was forced to make critical adjustments due to injuries. Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes) has officially joined the roster, replacing the injured Brayden Point. Additionally, Sam Bennett (Florida Panthers) has been called up to replace Anthony Cirelli, adding grit and playoff-tested experience to the forward group.
The 2026 Team Canada Men’s Olympic Roster
The roster is headlined by a “passing of the torch” trio: Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini. Crosby, now 38, remains the captain and emotional heartbeat of a team seeking its first Olympic gold since 2014.
Forwards
- Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
- Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks)
- Brad Marchand (Florida Panthers)
- Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers)
- Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes)
- Sam Bennett (Florida Panthers)
- Bo Horvat (New York Islanders)
- Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Defensemen
- Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
- Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings)
- Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets)
- Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche)
- Alex Pietrangelo (Vegas Golden Knights)
Key Facts and Veteran Presence
The 2026 squad features a unique age gap, with four players aged 35 or older: Sidney Crosby (38), Brad Marchand (37), Drew Doughty (36), and Alex Pietrangelo (36). This veteran core provides essential experience for younger stars like Celebrini, who is making his Olympic debut at just 19 years old.
Coach Jon Cooper has experimented with high-octane line combinations during Wednesday’s practice, including a potential “Super Line” featuring McDavid, Crosby, and Celebrini. While fans in Edmonton expressed disappointment over the omission of Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman, the current roster is widely considered the betting favorite for the gold medal.
Historical Context
Canada remains the most successful nation in Olympic ice hockey history, boasting 23 total medals and 14 golds. After NHL players were unable to participate in 2018 and 2022, the 2026 Games mark the return of the world’s best to the international stage, setting the stage for a historic showdown in Italy.