The 2026 Winter Olympics are right around the corner, which will bring hockey back to the international stage.
As part of the preparations for the road to Italy, Hockey Canada has invited 92 players from its men’s, women’s, and para hockey teams to take part in the National Teams Orientation Camp, which is set for August 26–28 in Calgary.
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“While the next several months will bring intense evaluation and difficult roster decisions, we look forward to kicking off the season in Calgary and giving our athletes and staff a chance to come together and start to become one team as we set our sights on February,” said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations.
The men’s tournament will run from Feb. 11-22. Games will be played at two venues in Milan: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
On the men’s side, 42 National Hockey League (NHL) players, including three goaltenders, 13 defenseman and 26 forwards were selected by Team Canada, who will be coached by Lightning head coach Jon Cooper.
The Lightning will be well represented at Canada’s Orientation Camp, with three players: Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel, and Anthony Cirelli, named to the invite list. All 24 players who were members of Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off championship-winning team were included.
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Each of the 12 national associations competing in the tournament must submit a list of 42 skaters and five goaltenders by the October 15 deadline. Those players will have to comply with Olympic drug testing rules and regulations.
Final preliminary rosters, consisting of 22 skaters and three goaltenders, must be submitted by December 31. However, changes can be made up until the tournament begins on February 11, if necessary due to injuries.
Photo Credit: © Eric Bolte-Imagn Images