2026 Olympic Winter Games - Men's Hockey | Hockey Canada

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Schedule set for Milano-Cortina 2026

The quest for a 10th gold medal begins Feb. 12 when Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team faces off against Czechia in its tournament-opener at Milano Santa Giulia Arena.

2026 Olympic Winter Games Schedule Men’s Hockey Roster

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First six named for Olympics

Crosby, MacKinnon, Makar, McDavid, Point and Reinhart have been named to Team Canada for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

2026 Olympic Winter Games Men’s Hockey Roster Schedule

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Management set for 4 Nations

Julien BriseBois and Kyle Dubas have been added to Canada’s management group for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

2025 4 Nations Face-Off 2026 Men’s Olympic Team

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Cooper to lead men’s teams

Jon Cooper will lead Canada as head coach at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

2025 4 Nations Face-Off 2026 Men’s Olympic Team

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4 Nations management named

Don Sweeney will lead Canada as general manager at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, alongside associate GM Jim Nill.

2024-25 National Men’s Team 2026 Men’s Olympic Team

Armstrong to lead men’s team

Doug Armstrong will work alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Scott Salmond to lead Team Canada through the 2026 Olympics.

2023-24 National Men’s Team 2026 Men’s Olympic Team

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Statements on Olympic decision

Hockey Canada has issued statements following the announcement that NHLers will play in the 2026 and 2030 Olympics.

2026 Men’s Olympic Team 2024-25 National Men’s Team

2026 Winter Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey: The Return of NHL Stars on the Global Stage

The 2026 Winter Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament promises to be a historic event, marking the return of NHL players to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014. Set against the stunning backdrop of Milano Cortina, Italy, this tournament will showcase the world’s elite hockey talent in a battle for international supremacy.

Key Details of the 2026 Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament

Event Overview

Event Name: 2026 Winter Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey
Location: Milan, Italy
- Venues: PalaItalia (Santa Giulia) and Fiera Milano
Dates: February 5–22, 2026
Participating Teams: 12 national teams

Team Qualification

Automatic Qualifiers: Top 8 teams from the IIHF World Rankings (post-2023)
Host Nation: Italy
Additional Spots: 3 teams from Olympic qualification tournaments

Tournament Format

Group Stage: 3 groups of 4 teams
- Each team plays 3 games
Advancement:
- Group winners + best second-place team advance directly to quarterfinals
- Remaining 8 teams play in qualification playoffs
Knockout Rounds:
- Qualification Playoffs: February 17
- Quarterfinals: February 18
- Semifinals: February 20
- Bronze Medal Game: February 21
- Gold Medal Game: February 22

Game Rules

Regulations: IIHF rules apply
Rink Size: International-sized rinks (larger than NHL rinks)
Overtime:
- Varies by round; gold medal game features 3-on-3 sudden death followed by shootout if needed

NHL Players Return to the Olympics

After missing the 2018 and 2022 Games, NHL players will officially participate in the 2026 Olympics, thanks to an agreement between the NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, and IOC

This return elevates the level of competition and brings global attention to the tournament, with superstars like Sydney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and David Pastrňák expected to represent their nations.

Participating Nations & Groups

Group A: Canada, Finland, Switzerland, France
Group B: Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Group C: USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark

Looking Ahead

The 2026 Olympic tournament is more than just a competition—it's a celebration of hockey’s global reach and a preview of future international events, including the World Cup of Hockey in 2028.