Calgary Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar has opened up about the disappointment of not being selected for Team Canada's roster for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, but he carries no bitterness, only pride for having been in the conversation.
A Dream Deferred, Not Denied
Weegar acknowledged that his chances took a significant hit due to a challenging start to the 2025-26 NHL season. While his performance has rebounded strongly in December, the initial slump meant he never fully had the opportunity to force the hand of the Canadian selection committee. "I wish my game was like it is right now at the beginning of the year to make it a little harder on the scouts and GMs over there," Weegar admitted during a media availability at the Saddledome.
Despite the letdown of not making the final cut, the 31-year-old blueliner emphasized the positive side of the experience. "I’m proud of myself that I put myself in the conversation," Weegar stated. "It’s a great experience just hearing my name and everything, all the commotion about it."
An Elite Group and a Consistent Selection
Weegar was the sole Flames player invited to Hockey Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp in the summer of 2025, a nod to his stellar play during the 2024-25 campaign. However, the Canadian management team ultimately decided to stick with the same eight defencemen who competed at the Four Nations Face-Off tournament earlier in the year.
This group includes elite company such as Cale Makar, Josh Morrissey, Shea Theodore, and Devon Toews. Weegar showed nothing but respect for the selected squad. "They got the job done there," he said. "I look at all the bubble guys... I don’t think anybody really went out of our way to bump one of those guys out, in my opinion." He specifically praised young standout Matthew Schaefer for his exceptional play.
Looking Forward with Perspective
While representing Canada at the Olympics is a dream for any player, Weegar is choosing to focus on the honour of being discussed among the nation's best. "I’m proud of myself that I’ve just been in the conversation and that’s a great D-corps," Weegar noted. "I’ll be rooting for them."
His statistics through December—three goals and nine assists, albeit with a minus-16 rating—ultimately weren't enough to crack the star-studded lineup. The experience, however, serves as both a milestone in his career and motivation as he aims to maintain his improved play for the Flames throughout the remainder of the season.
