Canada's Olympic hockey roster shakes up after Cirelli's last-minute injury
Team Canada has made a last-minute change to its Olympic ice hockey roster. Sam Bennett will replace Anthony Cirelli, who suffered an injury just days before the tournament. The Olympic break officially starts on Friday, with Canada's first match against Czechia on February 11.
Anthony Cirelli was forced out of a game against the Boston Bruins on Sunday after sustaining a lower-body injury. Doctors later confirmed he would miss the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The 27-year-old centre has twice won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, in 2020 and 2021.
Sam Bennett, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers in 2024 and 2025, will now take his place. The roster adjustment comes after Canada announced its 25-player squad on Wednesday. Alongside Bennett and Brandon Hagel, the team includes Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), Bo Horvat (New York Islanders), Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens), Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals), Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings), and Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals).
The change leaves Canada with a strong but reshuffled line-up for the Olympics. Bennett's experience and recent success with the Panthers will be key as the team prepares for its opening game. Cirelli's absence means the squad will rely on other veterans to fill the gap in Milano Cortina.
