ew players combine speed, skill, and playoff pedigree the way Brayden Point does. At 29 years old, the Tampa Bay Lightning center has already carved out a career defined by clutch performances, offensive production, and championship experience. Now, as Team Canada gears up for Milano–Cortina 2026, Point’s presence down the middle could be one of their most essential assets in the quest for Olympic gold.

From Third-Round Pick to Franchise Cornerstone

Point’s journey has been anything but conventional. Drafted in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft, he quickly shattered expectations. By the 2017–18 season, he had cemented himself as a rising star with 32 goals and 66 points. Just a year later, he exploded for 41 goals and 92 points, proving he wasn’t just a secondary piece but a centerpiece of Tampa Bay’s offense.

Since then, his consistency has been remarkable. Point topped the 50-goal mark in 2022–23, followed it with 46 in 2023–24, and last season added another 42 goals in 77 games. Point has been a reliable scorer for Tampa Bay—racking up 33 points during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and adding another 23 in 2021 as the Lightning went back-to-back as champions.

International Pedigree

Point’s resume extends beyond the NHL. He’s represented Canada at nearly every level: a gold medal at the U20 World Juniors, a silver at the World Championship, and a bronze at the U18 Worlds. More recently, he wore the maple leaf at the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off, where he chipped in a goal and an assist while helping Canada to a championship.

From wearing the “C” for Canada’s U20 squad to delivering in senior international play, Point has shown that his speed and playmaking hold up under every spotlight.

What He Brings to Team Canada

With Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and other Canadian superstars expected to headline the 2026 roster, it’s easy to overlook just how crucial Brayden Point will be. He’s not just a secondary option — he’s a matchup nightmare. His speed through the neutral zone creates mismatches, his power play presence makes him a lethal weapon with the man advantage, and his experience as a Stanley Cup champion gives Canada a proven closer when games get tight.

Point’s versatility allows him to slide into a top-six scoring role or serve as a two-way center who can tilt the ice in critical minutes. That ability to adapt makes him one of the most valuable chess pieces on Team Canada’s board.

The Bigger Picture

Team Canada enters Milano–Cortina as the perennial favorite, but history shows just how slim the margin of error can be in Olympic hockey. It often comes down to secondary scoring, timely special-teams execution, and players who can thrive under pressure. Brayden Point has made a career of doing exactly that.

Final Word

From his rise in Moose Jaw to lifting the Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay, Brayden Point has proven he thrives when the stakes are highest. For Team Canada, he’s not just a supporting cast member—he’s a difference-maker whose blend of speed, skill, and poise could be the edge that pushes them back to the top of the Olympic podium.

Milan awaits, and Brayden Point is ready to make his mark.

Elite Prospects. (n.d.). Brayden Point – player profile. Elite Prospects. Retrieved September 30, 2025.

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