Seth Jarvis of Team Canada and the Carolina Hurricanes warms up prior to the men’s quarterfinals playoff game between Canada and Czechia on Day 12 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Bruce Bennett
Getty Images
Milan, Italy
In a quiet study room at the University of Manitoba, a group of students unsuccessfully tried to keep their excitement under control. Minutes earlier, they’d learned they were being flown to Milan, Italy, to watch their childhood friend, Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis, compete for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
For the group, which grew up playing hockey and attending school with Jarvis, the trip was just one of many it has made over the years to support Jarvis in his journey. From Canada, to road trips to the 2025 Stanley Cup, and now at the Winter Games, the friends’ commitment is admirable.
“Lucas and I were studying in a ‘quiet room’ when we found out they were going to fly us out,” Lucas Humble said. “We were buzzing around in our seats, trying to contain ourselves. I thought we were reasonably quiet for the situation, but given some of the stares from people studying, it may have been a little loud.”
Four of the five friends are students at the University of Manitoba, with the fifth recently graduating from the same school. Their trip to Italy was arranged by Air Canada, after the friend group had publicly expressed their last-minute desire to see Jarvis compete, a surprise that still feels difficult to process.
“We couldn’t believe they were flying us out,” Humble said. “We are honestly so grateful that they were willing to do all of this work for us. It feels surreal and feels almost undeserving as we are just the most average people ever.”
Because of university midterm exams, some members of the group couldn’t leave immediately. They departed over the weekend, arriving in Milan just in time to see Canada’s strong start.
Team Canada secured a 10–2 win over France on Sunday, securing the top spot in its preliminary group. Three days later, Canada advanced to the semifinals with a 4–3 overtime victory against Czechia, keeping its hopes for another Olympic medal alive.
David Pastrnak (88) of Team Czechia controls the puck against Cale Makar (8) and Seth Jarvis of Team Canada during the men’s quarterfinal between Canada and Czechia on Day 12 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Gregory Shamus Getty Images
Jarvis, a key forward for the Hurricanes, is competing in his first Olympic Games as Canada remains one of the tournament favorites. He had an assist on Nick Suzuki’s game-tying goal late in the third period against Czechia.
The friends have been documenting their experience on a newly created Instagram page, @goodolcanadianboys, sharing travel updates and behind-the-scenes moments from their trip in collaboration with the NHL. The account has reached more than 36,000 followers since its creation on Sunday.
Because of the team’s busy Olympic schedule, they don’t expect much time with Jarvis during the Games. But for them, being in the stands has always been enough.
Jordan Gooch is a student with UNC Media Hub, a program with the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, reporting from the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.