Sam Bennett is getting another chance to represent Canada in international play. Bob DeChiara / Imagn Images
Feb. 3, 2026Updated 10:17 pm EST
Sam Bennett will replace the injured Anthony Cirelli on Team Canada’s roster for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.
The Florida Panthers center was one of the more surprising omissions from the original 25-man roster named in late December after helping Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last year. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in June after leading the Panthers to a second straight Stanley Cup.
Cirelli was forced to withdraw from the Olympic tournament after sustaining an upper-body injury while playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in Sunday’s Stadium Series outdoor game against the Boston Bruins.
Like Bennett, he’s a two-time Cup winner who was part of the 4 Nations victory.
This is the first injury replacement for Team Canada, which opens the Olympic tournament against Czechia next Thursday.
Bennett is in the midst of his most productive NHL season — with 19 goals and 42 points through 55 games — but will be deployed in a bottom-six role for Canada. His best attributes are a competitive nature and a willingness to engage opponents physically.
That was on full display at the 4 Nations tournament, where he fought Brady Tkachuk as part of the memorable three fights in nine seconds Canada and the U.S. engaged in to open their preliminary round game. The Olympics are played under IIHF rules, which ban fighting. However, Bennett also scored the goal in the 4 Nations championship game that helped Canada force overtime.
When he was left off the initial Olympic roster, Bennett said he was extremely disappointed that he didn’t do more to prove to decision-makers that he could help them win an Olympic gold. He also expressed gratitude for his 4 Nations experience.
“That was probably the proudest moment of my career getting to put on that (Team Canada) jersey,” he said. “I’m going to be forever grateful for that opportunity.”
Feb 4, 2026
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