Sidney Crosby with the Pittsburgh Penguins (Via Getty Images) Team Canada made it official Sunday when they named Sidney Crosby captain for the Olympic Winter Games in Milan. The announcement came as no surprise given his status as one of hockey’s greatest leaders and his history of Olympic success.The 38-year-old center is in his 21st NHL season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has won three Stanley Cups during his legendary career. He continues to produce at an elite level with 59 points through 56 games this season as he leads his national side for the third time.
Sidney Crosby remains one of only two Olympians on Team Canada with prior experience
Crosby will compete in his third Olympic Games after winning gold with Canada at both the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2014 Sochi Olympics. His overtime goal against the United States in the 2010 gold medal game remains one of the most iconic moments in Canadian hockey history.Connor McDavid and Cale Makar were named alternate captains, giving Canada a leadership group that combines championship experience with the NHL’s current elite talent. The Penguins captain expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead one of the most talented rosters ever assembled for international competition.”I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and it is an honor to be named captain of Canada’s men’s hockey team, which has so many great players and leaders,” Crosby said.He praised the leadership qualities of his alternates and the entire roster. “Connor and Cale, along with our entire group, provide incredible leadership, and I am happy to represent Canada together on the same team,” Crosby continued. “We are all proud to wear the Maple Leaf and compete with Team Canada in Milan,” Crosby said. He was one of six players named to Canada’s preliminary roster back in July, joining McDavid, Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart and Brayden Point as the initial selections.McDavid leads the NHL with 96 points in 58 games for the Edmonton Oilers and will make his Olympic debut at age 29. The generational center brings offensive firepower that makes Canada’s top line among the most dangerous in the tournament.Makar has 57 points in 55 games for the Colorado Avalanche and is also competing in his first Olympics. The 27-year-old defenseman gives Canada elite skill and mobility on the back end to complement Crosby’s leadership up front.The combination of his championship pedigree with McDavid and Makar’s status as two of the game’s best players creates a leadership core built for the intensity of Olympic hockey. Canada opens tournament play Thursday at 10:40 AM Eastern against Czechia at Santagiulia Arena. They are placed in Group A alongside Switzerland and France, with the tournament running through the gold medal game on February 22. Canada enters as a medal favorite with a roster designed to bring gold back home for the first time since Crosby delivered it 16 years ago in Vancouver.