Anticipation is building as the 2026 Winter Olympics draw near. There is particular buzz around the ice hockey tournament, as for the first time since 2014, members of the NHL are participating in the ultimate international competition. Team Canada is, to no one’s surprise, shaping up to be a top contender in the hunt for a gold medal.
Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey Tournament
The team is rife with elite talent, but three stand out among the rest as ones to keep an eye on. These players will take on critical roles in all aspects of the game, both on and off the ice. They should be fun players to watch, too, as Team Canada hopes for incredible success in the Olympic tournament.
Sidney Crosby
Crosby is a long-standing name in hockey and for good reason. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain boasts a storied and successful career in the NHL dating back to the 2005-06 season. Even at 38 years old, he is still performing at a level unlike many other players in the league. This season, he has registered 57 points (27 goals, 30 assists) in 51 games. He has a well-balanced game and a cool, confident play style.
This will be the forward’s third time joining his home country in the Olympics, as he also played in 2010 and 2014, scoring the “golden goal” in the former. Unsurprisingly, Crosby has been part of their World Championship, World Junior Championship, World Cup of Hockey, and 4 Nations Face-Off teams, too. He has been Penguins’ captain since the 2007-08 season, so he will bring strong off-ice leadership to the team. He will be critical in Canada’s offense and should put up impressive numbers in each game of the tournament.
Cale Makar
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is one of the strongest defenders in the league, no contest. A two-time Norris Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion, his consistent performance has been rewarded in multiple ways. He is a two-way blueliner capable of contributing offensively and defensively.
Makar has tallied an impressive 56 points (15 goals, 41 assists) in 51 games this season– numbers that many forwards only hope to put up. Defensively, he is highly skilled, too, credited with 88 blocked shots and 29 takeaways. He averages 25:06 of ice time per game, proving his value in the Avalanche’s stunning success this season.
He was a member of Canada’s World Junior Championship team in 2018, as well as the 4 Nations club last year. This will be Makar’s first Olympic appearance, and he is certain to bring his A-game and help Canada qualify for a medal.
Logan Thompson
Team Canada’s goaltending trio will bring the heat. Thompson, Darcy Kuemper, and Jordan Binnington are all strong goalies in their own right, but Thompson stands out. Of the three, he has the highest save percentage at .912, the lowest goals against average at 2.46, and has become a true star for the Washington Capitals over the past two seasons.
The 28-year-old started his time in Washington as the backup to Charlie Lindgren, but has become the team’s starter due to his stellar performances. The only potential caveat with Thompson is that, as of Jan. 30, he is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury after he was struck in the mask with a puck. However, if he can get healthy prior to the Olympics, he could see significant playing time.
Canada will be part of Group A in the tournament, facing Czechia, Switzerland, and France. Their first game will be on Feb. 12 against Czechia, and group play continues through Feb. 15. Should they reach the playoffs, those games will begin on Feb. 17, with the tournament concluding on Feb. 22 with the gold-medal game. Team Canada will be bringing their A-game and is hopeful to leave Milan with a medal.
