Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid reunite to lead Canada's star-studded Olympic camp roster for Milan-Cortina 2026
As NHL players prepare to return to Olympic action in 2026, Canada's focus sharpens with Sidney Crosby and
Connor McDavid
leading the charge. The pair headline a star-studded roster of 92 athletes invited to Hockey Canada's National Teams Orientation Camp in Calgary from August 26 to 28.
With redemption on their minds after a shocking defeat to Denmark at the 2025 IIHF World Championships, Team Canada is gearing up to reclaim hockey supremacy on the global stage.
Team Canada's 2026 Olympic hopes rest on Crosby and McDavid's leadership
The orientation camp marks a key kickoff for Canada's Olympic preparations, bringing together elite athletes from the men's, women's, and para hockey teams for a three-day, off-ice experience. With activities ranging from presentations and team-building to high-performance meetings, the event is designed to set the tone for a winning season.
'We are excited to unveil the 92 athletes who will kick off the road to Italy,' shared Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada's senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. 'While the next several months will bring intense evaluation and difficult roster decisions, we look forward to… start to become one team as we set our sights on February.'
Among the most notable names for the men's team are Connor McDavid, Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Robert Thomas.
The roster also includes all 24 players from Canada's victorious 4 Nations Face-Off team, including goaltenders Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault.
The women's side is no less formidable. Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Fillier, and Natalie Spooner will be joined by 17 players from the 2022 gold medal-winning team in Beijing. Notably, young stars like Caitlin Kraemer and goaltenders Eve Gascon and Kayle Osborne, all under 23, will bring youthful energy and fresh fire to the squad.
A shot at redemption after shocking Denmark defeat
For all the accolades, Canada enters this Olympic cycle with something to prove. Just months ago, the national team was handed a shocking quarterfinals exit at the 2025 IIHF World Championships by Denmark, courtesy of Nick Olesen's last-minute goal. That bitter taste lingers—and fuels their drive.
With NHL players finally returning to Olympic ice for the first time since 2014, Canada's powerhouse lineup signals a fierce intent to reclaim gold. This isn't just a comeback story—it's a mission of redemption. And with Crosby and McDavid steering the ship, the world will be watching.
Also Read:
NHL Trade Buzz: Connor McDavid's future unclear as Oilers maintain wait-and-see stance while contract runs out
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