With Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli unavailable to play due to injury, Hockey Canada’s management group had two final roster decisions to make before arriving in Milan for the 2026 Olympics.
“It was obviously difficult because we wanted both Cirelli and Point to be on the team and felt very bad talking to those guys when they couldn’t come,” Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong told TSN reporter Ryan Rishaug shortly after arriving in Milan on Friday. “And then we just sat with our group, came up with a list of players, discussed it with the coaches and tried to get the synergy that they wanted.”
Florida Panthers centre Sam Bennett and Carolina Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis received last-minute tickets to Italy. Both players helped Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off last year.
“Obviously, Jarvis and Bennett have a history with this group and so that’s going to be an easy transition,” Armstrong said. “But it wasn’t based on history. It’s based on, we believe they give us the best opportunity to have a competitive team.”
Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman, Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele and Chicago Blackhawks centre Connor Bedard all earned consideration for the final spot.
“I know everybody has their opinions,” said Armstrong, who is the general manager of the St. Louis Blues. “My bias is to the guys I know in the West and the bias from the guys to the East is to the East. But you debate it, you talk it through and, again, you’re trying to do what you think is right for the whole group. But it’s a spirited debate. It’s a positive debate because you’re hearing other people’s opinions and you’re trying to make the best decision.”
Hockey Canada clearly valued the 4 Nations experience in building the Olympic team. In fact, Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny is the only member of last year’s squad, who did not get a call to return. Did the tie go to the returning player in this process?
“That’s a hard one,” Armstrong said. “That’s a yes and no answer. The 4 Nations, it wasn’t four years ago or two years ago, it was one year ago. So to get selected for that team you were at that level then and not a lot really changes in a year. We do have some changes. [San Jose Sharks sophomore sensation Macklin] Celebrini obviously is one. A young player that’s really blossomed right now.”
The other new recruits are Montreal Canadiens centre Nick Suzuki, Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson, New York Islanders centre Bo Horvat, Capitals goalie Logan Thompson and Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper.
“But you do look for synergy,” Armstrong said. “You do look for consistency. We tried to pick this year’s team based on the players we thought were playing the best and gave us the best opportunity. But, because that 4 Nations was so recent, it’s not strange that all the countries have a lot of repeat players.”
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is expected to be the first Canadian player to land in Milan this weekend as he looks to get a jumpstart on acclimatizing. Everyone will be in town by Sunday night when Canada holds its first practice.
The plan is for the players to spend their first night in the Olympic Village where other athletes are housed, but that could change if there’s any further reported cases of the Norovirus. Finland’s women’s team is dealing with an outbreak, which led to the postponement of their game against Canada on Thursday.
“We’re obviously going to inform the players to do the things they did in COVID and wash their hands and things like that,” Armstrong said. “But I call that the white noise. We can’t control that, so we’re not gonna really worry about it. They’ll tell us if things change. Until that point, we’re full steam ahead.”
Canada GM Gina Kingsbury says they were fine with the postponement option vs Finland:
“In the spirit of the games and wanting to compete in these games & making sure that we’re doing so in a safe manner was our priority. So we felt it was a good option and responsible decision…
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) February 5, 2026
At the Village, a handful of players will have a single room, but most will be sharing with a roommate.
HGTV-Olympic Village style courtesy of Sarah Nurse is what we ALL wanted to see🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
(via: sarahnurse/tiktok) pic.twitter.com/s80Fm31N8Y
— Sports Girls Club (@girlsclubsports) February 3, 2026
After the first night, players will have the option of moving into a hotel, which is being arranged by the NHLPA. Hockey Canada is providing a space for players to gather together at the hotel, which is only 10 minutes from the Village.
“We want them to enjoy the Olympic experience,” Armstrong said. “One of the things that I find the most rewarding is when you are at the Olympics you’re part of Team Canada. You’re not just part of a hockey team. And to share experiences with other athletes, to watch the players bond and get to know people, see someone walking with a medal as you’re still participating, and have those conversations, I think it’s great. It’s all part of the experience.
“But I also think having the players comfortable and having an option to stay at the Village or at a hotel that [they’re] a little more accustomed to at home is something that we want to provide.”
TSN toured Canada’s team area at their hotel on Friday, which includes rooms for meetings and treatment. There is a poster on one wall featuring headshots of all the Canadian athletes competing in other sports in Milan.
There is a map with the hometowns of all the Canadian men’s hockey players and staff identified. The slogan, “From Canada, for Canada,” is on another poster.
Just had a look at the Canadian mens off-site facilities. Very efficient setup complete with physio, meeting rooms, lounge area workout space and tons of team signage. Huge map of player home towns, pictures of all other Canadian athletes they may run into. Players can stay… pic.twitter.com/dmgMfOPALI
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 6, 2026
Hockey Canada is also creating a venue for all Canadian athletes and their families to gather near the hotel to relax and watch the Olympic coverage. It actually features an outdoor rink with Bauer supplying skates and helmets for those interested. There will be other fun activities as well.
After so much build up, so much planning and so many tough decisions, it’s almost time to drop the puck on the first Olympic tournament featuring NHL players since 2014.
“I’m very excited,” Armstrong said. “I was fortunate enough in 2018 [to be the general manager] and then the NHL decided not to go. And then in 2022, we actually had our final meeting in December. We thought we were gonna go and then that one got cancelled [for NHL players]. I was lucky enough to stay alive long enough to do this in 2022 (smile). So, I’m really excited.”
In many ways, this is the dawn of a new era in best-on-best hockey. Only Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Kings defenceman Drew Doughty are back from the 2014 Canadian team that won gold in Sochi.
“It’s a whole new group of players,” said Armstrong, who turned 61 in September. “When I was able to work with [former Team Canada GM] Steve Yzerman, watch him perform, we had a lot of the same players from ’10 to ’14 and even to ’16 at the World Cup. This is a whole new group of players and to see them bond at the 4 Nations and see those bonds continue to grow … these friendships last forever. I think we’re gonna continue to build off of that.”
Canada plays its first game on Thursday against Czechia.
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