David Pastrnak speaks out after Morgan Geekie misses Team Canada’s Olympic roster (Image via: Getty Images) David Pastrnak didn’t try to hide his feelings after Morgan Geekie was left off Team Canada’s Olympic roster. Geekie had a strong year with the Boston Bruins and scored 50 goals in the 2025 calendar year, numbers that usually earn serious attention. Instead, he became one of the more surprising snubs.Pastrnak addressed it in his own light-hearted way, but the message behind it was clear. The Bruins winger knows how hard it is for Canadian players to make the Olympic team, even when they are playing some of the best hockey of their careers.
David Pastrnak remains hopeful while Morgan Geekie’s breakout season isn’t enough for Canada’s Olympic roster
“I told Geeks, we’ll take him for Team Czech,” Pastrnak said, via NHL.com. Canada has such a deep talent pool that quality NHL players are left out of major tournaments every time. This year, Geekie was one of them.Scoring 50 goals in a calendar year is not easy in today’s NHL. Geekie did it without much spotlight, steadily producing for Boston and becoming a reliable part of the Bruins’ forward group. Still, Olympic selections often depend on more than recent form. Past international experience, star status, and team balance all play a role, and those factors can work against players who break out later.For Pastrnak, the situation looks very different. Czechia does not have the same level of depth as Canada, which means every proven scorer carries extra value. His comment highlighted how much opportunity can depend on nationality rather than performance alone.Geekie’s snub also reflects how tough it is to crack Team Canada’s roster. Even strong NHL seasons do not guarantee selection when the competition includes established stars and long-time international regulars. Coaches tend to trust familiar names, especially with Olympic pressure.While David Pastrnak prepares to represent his country, Morgan Geekie will be watching from home. It is an unfair reality for some players, but a common one in international hockey. For the Bruins, it simply means one forward chasing Olympic pride and another using the snub as motivation for what comes next.Also Read: David Pastrnak gives blunt excuses after Bruins’ humiliating blowout loss to rival Canadiens deepens concern