Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey knows all about winning gold medals for his country, but the chance to be a part of Milano Cortina 2026 has him hungry for more.

The 30-year-old blueliner is gearing up for his first Olympics, determined to bring his best after missing the championship game at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament against the Americans.

“There’s a hunger level for me to obviously have a great tournament and push to win a gold medal, and hope to be a part of that celebration that I wasn’t able to be a part of last year,” said Morrissey in a one-on-one chat after practice in late January.

Morrissey, who was paired with St. Louis Blues defenceman Colton Parayko at the 4 Nations Face-Off, had to pull out of the championship game because of an illness.

“It was devastating not to be on the ice in the game, but I think almost more devastating to not be part of the celebration afterwards,” said Morrissey. “Definitely just hungry to be back there with the guys and obviously have a chance to hopefully come out on top and get to experience that sort of joy and jubilation of winning.”

Although it was likely that Morrissey would earn a spot on Canada’s roster, it wasn’t made official until Dec. 31, when Hockey Canada unveiled the full group. Based on Morrissey’s experience and current season with the Jets, there’s no surprise he got the call.

He currently leads the team in plus/minus at plus-12 and is averaging the most time on ice at 24:32 per game. Not only is his defensive game both strong and relied upon, offensively he has 10 goals and 32 assists in 52 games.

Morrissey couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity at Milano Cortina 2026 – one that hasn’t been available to NHL players since the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

“Representing Canada at the highest level is a dream come true,” he said. “To go to the Olympic Games … it’s so much bigger than just hockey.”

Morrissey’s earliest memories include watching Team Canada win men’s hockey gold in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah. And just like so many Canadian hockey fans, Morrissey remembers where he was when Sidney Crosby scored the “golden goal,” securing Canada’s gold medal in the men’s hockey event on home soil at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.

“When Sid scored, I remember exactly where I was – I was at my mom’s place,” said Morrissey. “I think it was mid-afternoon, and I just remember going crazy there with my brother.”

As a lifelong hockey player and fan, Morrissey still can’t wrap his head around the fact that he too has the potential to be a part of a historic moment.

“Being a fan and being a proud Canadian and as a young hockey player thinking or dreaming that maybe that could be me one day, it’s pretty surreal that I’m actually going to have that opportunity,” said Morrissey.

Morrissey has had success at the international level before. He was part of the gold-medal-winning team at both the 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship and 2015 World Juniors, and helped lead Canada to a silver medal at the 2017 World Championship.

According to the Jets alternate captain, buying in and accepting your role early is key when you have top-tier players coming together for a short period of time.

“When you’re representing your country and doing that with the best players, it’s really something that it’s not a hard ask to adjust your game if that’s what’s required,” said Morrissey. “I think teams in short-term competition that have the best buy-in and the players that kind of commit to whatever their role is as quickly as possible generally have more success in those events … I think if you ask every guy in that room, they wouldn’t care how many minutes they played or what role they were playing if they could achieve that [winning].”

Many of the players named to Team Canada’s roster have never been to an Olympic Games before, but Morrissey said those who have offered some key advice for first-timers.

“They all kind of encourage us first-time guys to experience other sports if you can,” said Morrissey. “Obviously we’re busy, but try to see some other events and then also just interact with other athletes, whether that’s in the village or wherever … It’s special just to feel that Olympic camaraderie, so that’s something I’m really excited to kind of be a part of that community.”

He’ll get to take in all the excitement with friends and family as well. After all, an Italian winter getaway wasn’t the toughest pitch to his inner circle.

“Olympics in Italy definitely wasn’t a tough sell to the family and friends,” joked Morrissey. “I think immediate family, and then I’ve got some friends joining as well at various points throughout the Games. It’ll be a big group, and I’m excited to share any big experience with them.”

The men’s hockey tournament begins Feb. 11, 2026, with Canada’s first preliminary game against Czechia on Feb. 12, 2026.