Hockey Canada has announced the initial six players for its preliminary men’s hockey roster for the 2026 Milan Olympics: Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Sidney Crosby, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart. This marks the first time NHL players will participate in the Olympics since 2014. The full 12-country tournament is set to begin on February 11, 2026, with Canada placed in Group A.
Hockey Canada names six players to preliminary men’s roster for 2026 Milan Olympics
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Hockey Canada has announced the initial six players for its preliminary men’s hockey roster for the 2026 Milan Olympics: Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Sidney Crosby, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart. This marks the first time NHL players will participate in the Olympics since 2014. The full 12-country tournament is set to begin on February 11, 2026, with Canada placed in Group A.
Trending- 1 2014: Last time NHL players participated in the Olympics (Sochi).
- 2 2016: World Cup of Hockey held (last best-on-best competition before 4 Nations Face-Off).
- 3 Last February (February 2025): 4 Nations Face-Off tournament held, Canada won the championship.
- 4 June 16, 2025 (Monday): Hockey Canada announced the first six players for the 2026 Olympic roster.
- 5 Early 2026: The rest of the roster will be finalized.
- 6 February 11, 2026: The 2026 Olympic Winter Games men's hockey tournament begins in Milan.
- The preliminary roster for Canada's men's Olympic hockey team is set.
- NHL players will participate in the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
- Increased anticipation for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games hockey tournament.
What: Hockey Canada named the first six players to its preliminary men’s hockey roster for the 2026 Milan Olympics.
When: Announcement made Monday, June 16, 2025; 2026 Olympic Winter Games begin February 11, 2026; rest of roster to be finalized early 2026; last NHL participation in Olympics was 2014; 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last February (2025); World Cup of Hockey in 2016.
Where: Calgary (announcement location); Milan, Italy (Olympic host city); Boston (4 Nations Face-Off championship).
Why: To begin forming a strong foundation for the Canadian men's Olympic hockey team with world-class players and leaders, aiming to win Olympic gold.
How: By selecting six key players (Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Sidney Crosby, Brayden Point, Sam Reinhart) as the initial core of the team, with the remaining roster spots to be filled closer to the event.