The Canadian men’s hockey past, present, and future will converge at a Hockey Canada national team orientation camp in Calgary later this month. Rising talents Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini will join established stars Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid, who are already slated for the Canadian men’s Olympic team, for a three-day program of off-ice activities, team bonding, and presentations.
Questions arose about Bedard’s exclusion from the 4 Nations Face-Off team earlier this year following a challenging season with the Blackhawks. However, both Bedard and Celebrini, who excelled alongside Crosby in the recent world championship, will have the opportunity to demonstrate their merit for the Olympic squad.
Among the 42 NHL players invited to the camp are contenders for both the Canadian women’s and Para hockey teams set to vie for gold in Milano Cortina in February. Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, Scott Salmond, expressed anticipation for the collaborative journey ahead as the teams assemble in Calgary to prepare for the upcoming competitions.
The initial six players selected for the men’s team in June include Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart. Additional players, such as Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Carter Verhaeghe from the Panthers, are striving to secure a spot on the Olympic roster.
Only three goaltenders were named to the Hockey Canada roster, indicating a strong lineup in the net. Notable defensemen like Noah Dobson and Evan Bouchard are contending against experienced players like Doughty and Ekblad. Makar stands out as the sole defenseman with a confirmed spot on the team so far.
Offensively, players such as Nick Suzuki and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are among those competing for a forward position. The final team selection will be a challenging process guided by a leadership group comprising key figures in Canadian hockey.
The men’s team is scheduled to commence their Olympic campaign against the Czech Republic on Feb. 12, with the gold medal match set for Feb. 22.
In parallel, twenty men have been named to the Para hockey program’s orientation camp, seeking redemption after a silver medal defeat to the U.S. in 2022. The team, including players with previous Paralympic and World Para Hockey Championship accolades, is gearing up for the upcoming games in Milano Cortina.
The Para camp roster includes three goaltenders, six defensemen, and eleven forwards, with notable figures like captain Tyler McGregor aiming for a coveted Paralympic gold medal. The team is determined to showcase their skills and unity in pursuit of victory in the upcoming competition.
The Para ice hockey event at the Paralympic Games in Milano Cortina is set to kick off on March 6 and run through March 15, promising an exciting display of talent and sportsmanship.