Hockey Canada names six players to preliminary men's roster for 2026 Winter Olympics
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid was among the headliners as Hockey Canada named the first six players to its preliminary men's hockey roster for the Milan Olympics.
McDavid was joined on the early list by forward Nathan MacKinnon and defenceman Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point and Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart.
'We are excited to announce the first six players who will represent Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games next February, as these are six world-class players and leaders that are deserving of this recognition,' general manager Doug Armstrong said Monday in a statement.
'Sidney, Nathan, Cale, Connor, Brayden and Sam provide a strong foundation for a successful team and have been proven winners at all levels of their professional and international careers, and we look forward to all six being key contributors to our team as we look to accomplish our goal of winning Olympic gold.'
Connor McDavid, one year after the sting of defeat, is ready to finally win the Stanley Cup
The rest of the roster will be finalized early next year. The 12-country tournament begins Feb. 11.
It will be the first time that NHL players participate in the Olympics since 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Canada defeated Sweden in the gold-medal game that year.
Early roster announcements were also used ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last February.
McDavid scored the overtime winner to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States in the championship game in Boston.
The event marked the first best-on-best competition since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.
The main venue for the 12-day Olympic tournament will be the new 14,000-seat Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The secondary venue will be the 5,700-seat Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
Canada is in Group A with Czechia, Switzerland and France.
Group B includes Finland, Sweden, Slovakia and host Italy. Group C has the United States, Germany, Latvia, and Denmark.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
16 minutes ago
- CTV News
Victoire re-sign Kati Tabin for two years
Montreal Victoire player Kati Tabin (9) attempts to steal the puck from Minnesota Frost player Kendall Coyne Schofield (26) in the second period of a PWHL game played in Laval on February 18, 2025. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press) Montreal's Victoire announced Monday that it has signed defender Kati Tabin to a two-year contract extension, keeping her with the team through the end of the 2026-2027 season. Tabin, who played for the Victoire during the first two seasons of the Women's Professional Hockey League (LPHF), scored four goals and racked up as many assists in 28 games last season. The 28-year-old athlete also delivered 26 hits, finishing second on the Victoire behind captain Marie-Philip Poulin. In 52 games with the Montreal team, she has scored five goals and nine assists. 'Kati is an invaluable part of our team, both on the ice and in the locker room,' said Victoire general manager Danièle Sauvageau in a press release. 'Over the past two seasons, we have seen tremendous improvement in her level of play. Her ability to contribute on both sides of the ice makes her an important part of our team, and we are delighted to have her back with us.' Tabin was selected 30th overall in the inaugural PWHL draft in 2023. After a four-season university career with the Quinnipiac University Bobcats, she played for the Connecticut Whale and Toronto Six in the PHF. 'I am extremely happy to stay in Montreal and continue to represent this team and this city that I love so much,' said the Winnipeg native. 'We will continue to work hard as a group to win a championship for this city.' Tabin is the ninth player signed for the 2025-2026 season for the Victoire. She joins defender Erin Ambrose and Amanda Boulier, goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, and forwards Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Kristin O'Neill, Maureen Murphy, and Lina Ljungblom. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 16, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
18 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
PWHL Vancouver signs forward Hannah Miller on first day of free agency
PWHL Vancouver signed former Toronto Sceptres forward Hannah Miller as a free agent on Monday. The expansion team announced the deal on the first day of the league's free agency window. The 29-year-old Miller played two seasons in Toronto, and had 10 goals and 14 assists in 29 games last season. She previously spent five seasons with the KRS Vanke Rays in China. 'I'm truly honored and very excited to be joining the team in Vancouver,' Miller said. 'It means so much to me to represent the city where I first fell in love with the game. It's a real full-circle moment, and I can't wait to meet all the fans and get started!' The native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, represented China at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and scored the host country's first goal of the Games. Miller was named to Canada's roster for this year's women's world hockey championship in March, but was later ruled ineligible due to International Ice Hockey Federation transfer rules. 'Hannah is an elite forward who can put up points and wear down opponents,' Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey said. 'We are excited to bring her home to Vancouver to be part of our foundation.' Vancouver will continue adding to its inaugural season roster with six picks in the 2025 PWHL Draft on June 24, including the seventh overall selection.
CTV News
27 minutes ago
- CTV News
Cyclists crossing Canada in memory of Terry Fox
Regina Watch WATCH: Forty-five years after Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope, eight cyclists are crossing the country to fundraise $1 million.
