Team Canada Unveils Star Studded Roster for Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games

Andrea Cardin/IIHF, André Ringuette/IIHF, Matt Zambonin/IIHF

A breaking update from Hockey Canada confirmed Wednesday that NHL players will return to the Olympic stage in 2026, with Canada officially unveiling its roster for the Milano Cortina Winter Games, marking the league’s first Olympic participation since 2014.

The latest roster reflects a blend of generational stars, championship experience, and emerging talent, positioning Canada as a gold medal favorite heading into the Olympic timeline. Of the 25 players selected, 16 are Stanley Cup champions and 19 were part of Canada’s recent 4 Nations Face Off title run, underscoring continuity and depth.

Sidney Crosby headlines the group as one of two players with prior Olympic experience, alongside defenseman Drew Doughty. Crosby, now 38, competed at both the 2010 Vancouver Games and the 2014 Sochi Games, famously scoring the golden goal in Vancouver. Doughty also brings two Olympic gold medals, reinforcing a veteran leadership core that spans multiple eras of international success.

Canada’s forward group blends elite scoring with two way reliability. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon anchor the offense after delivering decisive moments at the 2025 4 Nations Face Off, including McDavid’s overtime championship winner and MacKinnon’s tournament MVP performance. Mitch Marner, Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Brayden Point, and Mark Stone provide playoff tested versatility, while younger contributors like Macklin Celebrini represent the next generation. Celebrini, only 19, has already reached 120 career NHL points in 108 games, placing him among rare company historically for teenage production.

The impact of this forward depth is amplified by balance across roles. Anthony Cirelli and Tom Wilson add defensive structure and physical presence, while Nick Suzuki and Bo Horvat supply consistent scoring and international experience. This lineup allows Canada to deploy matchup driven combinations without sacrificing offensive pace.

On defense, Canada leans on a group built around puck movement and elite skating. Cale Makar, a two time Norris Trophy winner, headlines a blue line that also includes Josh Morrissey, Devon Toews, Shea Theodore, and Thomas Harley. Doughty remains a stabilizing presence, while Colton Parayko and Travis Sanheim add size and penalty killing reliability.

The group reflects a modern emphasis on transition play and defensive versatility.

In goal, Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, and Logan Thompson form a trio with championship credentials. Binnington started every game during Canada’s 4 Nations Face Off title run, Kuemper is a recent Vezina Trophy finalist, and Thompson brings consistency after winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. The outlook in net suggests competition but also proven calm in high pressure moments.

From a broader historical context, this roster mirrors previous Canadian Olympic builds that prioritize chemistry and championship familiarity over pure individual accolades. The return of NHL players restores the tournament’s global prestige and raises expectations across the league.

What this means for Canada is a clear gold medal mandate. The next steps include training camp evaluations, final line combinations, and managing health through the 2025 to 2026 NHL season. As the Olympic countdown continues, Canada enters Milano Cortina with experience, depth, and a roster designed to control games from start to finish.

Forwards

Sidney Crosby- Pittsburgh Penguins

Connor McDavid- Edmonton Oilers

Nathan MacKinnon- Colorado Avalanche

Mitch Marner- Toronto Maple Leafs

Brad Marchand- Boston Bruins

Mark Stone- Vegas Golden Knights

Sam Reinhart- Florida Panthers

Brayden Point- Tampa Bay Lightning

Nick Suzuki- Montreal Canadiens

Bo Horvat- New York Islanders

Anthony Cirelli- Tampa Bay Lightning

Tom Wilson- Washington Capitals

Macklin Celebrini- San Jose Sharks

Defensemen

Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche

Drew Doughty -Los Angeles Kings

Josh Morrissey -Winnipeg Jets

Devon Toews- Colorado Avalanche

Shea Theodore- Vegas Golden Knights

Thomas Harley- Dallas Stars

Colton Parayko -St Louis Blues

Travis Sanheim- Philadelphia Flyers

Goaltenders

Jordan Binnington- St Louis Blues

Darcy Kuemper- Los Angeles Kings

Logan Thompson- Vegas Golden Knights