Hockey Canada has officially announced its 25-man roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, marking a monumental return for NHL players to the Games for the first time since 2014.
Veteran Core Leads the Charge for Gold
The roster, revealed on December 31, 2025, leans heavily on seasoned NHL talent, blending Olympic experience with proven championship pedigree. The forward group is a who's who of hockey excellence, headlined by Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, two of the sport's most dynamic players. They are joined by iconic captain Sidney Crosby, fresh off helping the Pittsburgh Penguins to another playoff run.
Other notable veteran forwards include Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers), Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights), and Brad Marchand. At 37, Marchand continues to defy age, coming off a season where he helped the Florida Panthers secure a second consecutive Stanley Cup.
Notable Omissions and a Teenage Sensation
One of the most talked-about decisions was the omission of young superstar Connor Bedard. The Chicago Blackhawks' phenom, who was tied for third in NHL scoring with 44 points before an upper-body injury in December, was a late cut. Canadian general manager Doug Armstrong told SportsNet the decision was extremely difficult, citing the incredible depth of talent available.
While veterans dominate, one teenager has cracked the lineup: 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks. The North Vancouver, B.C., native represents the new generation of Canadian hockey and will get his first taste of Olympic action.
Defense and Goaltending Rounded Out
The defensive unit will be anchored by Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, who is expected to lead the back end. He is joined by Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, who brings valuable Olympic experience from Canada's gold medal win in Sochi in 2014. The core mirrors the group that represented Canada at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
In goal, Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings) and Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals) are new additions to the national team setup, replacing Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault from the 4 Nations roster. Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues retains his spot despite a challenging season, leaving the starting role for the Olympic tournament an open competition.
Canada's complete 2026 Olympic Men's Hockey Roster:
Forwards: Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay Lightning), Bo Horvat (New York Islanders), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Brad Marchand (Florida Panthers), Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning), Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers), Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights), Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens), Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals).
Defensemen (8): Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings), Thomas Harley (Dallas Stars), Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets), Colton Parayko (St. Louis Blues), Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia Flyers), Shea Theodore (Vegas Golden Knights), Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche).
Goaltenders: Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings), Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals).
