Team Canada has announced the first six players of to their roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The remainder of the rosters will be announced closer to the end of the year.
The tournament will consist of 12 teams. As expected, there is not going to be a Team Russia. The 12 teams will be separated into groups, which are as follows: Group A features Canada, Czechia, France, and Switzerland. Group B includes Finland, Italy, Sweden, and Slovakia. Lastly, Group C has Denmark, Germany, Latvia, and the United States. The hockey tournament will take place on February 11th and run until the 22nd.
Now onto the first six players on Team Canada’s preliminary roster.
Sidney Crosby
It shouldn’t be a surprise—this is likely Sidney Crosby’s last Olympics, which only means he’s going to put on a show. In 1,352 games spanning over 20 NHL seasons, Crosby has been one of the best to ever do it. He has scored 625 goals and 1,062 assists for 1,687 career points. He also has 201 playoff points in 180 games, which includes three Stanley Cups in 2009, 2016, and 2017. He is a two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner (2015, 2016), a two-time Hart Trophy winner, two-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner and has won the Ted Lindsay Award three times. He is also ninth all-time in points in NHL history. Crosby won Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014, which brought us the infamous “Golden Goal” call. He is a member of the IIHF Triple Gold Club and also won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon has been in the NHL for 12 seasons and is gearing up for his first chance to represent Team Canada at the Olympics. He’s been dominating the NHL, with three straight seasons of more than 110 points. In 79 games with the Colorado Avalanche, he scored 32 goals and 84 assists for 119 points. In 870 career games, he has 367 goals and 648 assists for 1,015 points. MacKinnon was named MVP of the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, which he helped Canada win.
Cale Makar
Makar, a teammate and good friend of MacKinnon, is also preparing for his first Olympic appearance. One of the most dynamic defensemen in the NHL, he has absolutely earned his spot as one of the top six players. This season, he had 30 goals and 62 assists for 92 points, which helped him win the Norris Trophy. The 26-year-old has played for Canada at various tournaments, but nothing compares to playing in the Olympics.
Connor McDavid
There is no better player in the…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…