CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) have announced the first six men’s hockey players named to Team Canada for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The athletes are:
The six athletes were selected by general manager Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), assistant general managers Julien BriseBois (Greenfield Park, QC/Tampa Bay, NHL), Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL) and Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL), director of player personnel Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL) and head coach Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL), with input from player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer, also provided support as part of the executive committee preparing for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
“We are excited to announce the first six players who will represent Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games next February, as these are six world-class players and leaders that are deserving of this recognition,” Armstrong said. “Sidney, Nathan, Cale, Connor, Brayden and Sam provide a strong foundation for a successful team and have been proven winners at all levels of their professional and international careers, and we look forward to all six being key contributors to our team as we look to accomplish our goal of winning Olympic gold.”
Crosby is a two-time Olympic champion who won back-to-back gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics Winter Games, while MacKinnon, Makar, McDavid, Point and Reinhart will make their Olympic debuts at Milano Cortina 2026. All six players helped Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off championship in February, while three are former first-overall picks in the NHL Draft (Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid).
Crosby has played in 1,352 games over 20 seasons (2005-25) with the Pittsburgh Penguins, serving as captain for 18 seasons and amassing 1,687 career points (625-1,062—1,687). He has also collected 201 points (71-130—201) in 180 playoff games, helping the Penguins win three Stanley Cup championships (2009, 2016, 2017). Over the course of his career, Crosby has won the Ted Lindsay Award three times, the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy twice, as well as the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Internationally, he won gold (2005) and silver (2004) at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Crosby also won gold at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, becoming a member of the IIHF Triple Gold Club – the first to win all three as captain - and won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
“I am honoured to be named one of the first six players for Canada’s men’s hockey team at the 2026 Olympics alongside Nathan, Cale, Connor, Brayden and Sam, as all five are incredible players and leaders,” Crosby said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at the Olympics, as I know how much pride comes with wearing the Maple Leaf on the international stage.”
MacKinnon recently completed his 12th season (2013-25) with the Colorado Avalanche, where he has served as an alternate captain for the past nine years. He has played in 870 career games, registering 1,015 points (367-648—1,015), and has contributed 125 points (55-70—125) in 125 career playoff games. He helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, and has won the Calder Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy, Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. MacKinnon has worn the Maple Leaf seven times, winning gold (2015) and silver (2017) medals at the IIHF World Championship, and gold at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. He also suited up at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship and played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Makar has played in 395 career games over six seasons (2019-25) with the Avalanche, registering 428 points (116-312—428). He has also appeared in 79 career playoff games, collecting 85 points (22-63—85), earning the Conn Smythe Trophy while helping Colorado win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Makar has also won the Norris Trophy twice and the Calder Trophy, as well as the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men’s hockey. Internationally, he won a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, and suited up for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge twice (2015, 2016), winning a gold medal in 2015.
McDavid is currently in his 10th season (2015-25) with the Edmonton Oilers, leading the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances (2024, 2025) in his ninth season as captain and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024. In 712 career games, he has registered 1,082 points (361-721—1,082), and has added 150 points (44-106—150) in 95 playoff games. McDavid has registered 100 or more points in eight different seasons, helping him win the Art Ross Trophy five times, the Ted Lindsay Award four times, the Hart Trophy three times and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy once. He has suited up for Canada six times, winning gold at the 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship, 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2016 IIHF World Championship. McDavid also played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Point has played for the Tampa Bay Lightning for his entire nine-year NHL career (2016-25), collecting 635 points (306-329—635) in 657 career games, as well as 89 points (44-45—89) in 92 playoff games. He scored 14 goals in consecutive playoff runs to help the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups (2020, 2021). Internationally, Point has won silver at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, gold at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, gold at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and bronze at the 2014 IIHF U18 World Championship.
Reinhart is currently in his fourth season with the Florida Panthers (2021-25) after spending seven years with the Buffalo Sabres (2014-21). He has registered 619 points (294-325—619) in 775 career games, as well as 52 points (28-24—52) in 75 career playoff games, helping Florida win the Stanley Cup in 2024. Reinhart has represented Canada eight times, winning gold (2016) and silver (2019) medals at the IIHF World Championship, gold at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, gold (2013) and bronze (2012) at the IIHF U18 World Championship and gold at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.
Men’s hockey at Milano Cortina 2026 will take place Feb. 11-22, 2026 (Day 5-16), with games taking place at both the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena and Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena.
"In a time when Canada stands stronger and pushes for greater excellence, the men’s Olympic hockey team reminds us what is possible when we aim higher, together,” said Jennifer Heil, Team Canada's Milano Cortina 2026 Chef de Mission. “Hockey’s legacy has always united Canadians, and these players continue to inspire our nation to pursue excellence with courage and pride.”
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are still subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.