Top-tier hockey stars McDavid and Crosby headline the Olympic camp invites
The much-anticipated men's Olympic hockey tournament is set to take place from February 11-22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. This marks the return of the National Hockey League (NHL) players to the Olympic Games after a 12-year absence.
The NHL participated in five straight Games from 1998 through 2014, and Canada's NHLers have a proud history of success, having won gold at the 2002, 2010, and 2014 Olympic Games. However, the league elected to skip the 2018 and 2022 Olympic showcases for financial reasons. But, with the 2030 Olympics on the horizon, the league and NHL Players' Association have committed to the event.
In preparation for the Milan Olympics, Hockey Canada has invited 42 key male players to the 2025 men's summer Olympic orientation camp. The roster includes 3 goaltenders, 26 forwards, and 13 defensemen. Among the top forwards are Connor Bedard, Sam Bennett, Quinton Byfield, Nathan MacKinnon, Brayden Point, Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Mitch Marner. Prominent defensemen invited include Cale Makar and others, with notable names like Konecny and Sanheim also included.
The camp roster is headlined by elite players such as Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, and Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning, emphasizing Canada’s top talent gearing up for the Milan Olympics.
With the 2026 Winter Olympics quickly approaching, the focus is on the ice as Canada's men's ice hockey team prepares for a potential gold medal run. Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper will be calling the shots in Italy, leading this talented group of players.
[1] The Canadian Press. (2025, August 1). Hockey Canada invites 42 players to men's Olympic orientation camp. [online] Available at: https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada-invites-42-players-to-mens-olympic-orientation-camp-1.1533443
[2] The Canadian Press. (2025, August 1). NHL stars headline Canada's Olympic hockey camp roster. [online] Available at: https://globalnews.ca/sports/nhl/nhl-stars-headline-canadas-olympic-hockey-camp-roster/
[3] Tampa Bay Times. (2025, August 1). Brayden Point invited to Canada's Olympic orientation camp. [online] Available at: https://www.tampabay.com/sports/lightning/2025/08/01/brayden-point-invited-to-canadas-olympic-orientation-camp/
[4] Sportsnet. (2025, August 1). Canada's Olympic hockey camp roster includes 42 players, led by McDavid, Crosby, MacKinnon. [online] Available at: https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/canadas-olympic-hockey-camp-roster-includes-42-players-led-mcdavid-crosby-mackinnon/
[5] The Globe and Mail. (2025, August 1). Canada announces men's Olympic hockey camp roster. [online] Available at: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-canada-announces-mens-olympic-hockey-camp-roster/
- The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy will feature a strong Canadian men's ice hockey team, with NHL stars such as Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Brayden Point potentially leading the charge in the National Hockey League (NHL) players' return to the Olympic Games after a 12-year absence.
- In the upcoming Olympic hockey tournament, Canada's prospects of clinching gold are high, as hockey powerhouses like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Sam Bennett are set to represent the NHL and the National Hockey League Players' Association in the men's Olympic Games scheduled from February 11-22, 2026.
