The Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team has announced its roster, including 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini, who will be joining prominent players like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon as NHL athletes return to the Winter Games after a long absence.
The team of 25 players was revealed a month and a half ahead of the Olympic tournament kick-off on Feb. 12 against the Czech Republic in Milan, Italy.
Among the returning players from the 2014 gold-medal-winning team are Crosby and Drew Doughty. The roster is rich in experience, with a total of 22 Stanley Cups among the players, including 19 who contributed to Canada’s recent victory at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Team Canada’s general manager, Doug Armstrong, expressed confidence in the team’s skills and depth, aiming for a gold medal win at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy.
Key players like Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon, and others were among the initial six players named to the team back in June.
Celebrini, along with Nick Suzuki, Bo Horvat, and Tom Wilson, are notable inclusions who were not part of the 4 Nations squad but secured spots on the Olympic roster.
The defensive lineup remains intact with all eight defencemen from the 4 Nations tournament making the cut for the Olympics.
In the goaltending department, Jordan Binnington, despite a challenging season in the NHL, retained his position alongside Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper.
The final team selection saw some notable omissions, such as Connor Bedard and Sam Bennett, both of whom have been impactful players in their respective teams.
Canadian GM Doug Armstrong emphasized the importance of selecting a balanced team capable of excelling in various game scenarios, ensuring readiness under head coach Jon Cooper’s guidance.
The team selection process involved a management group led by Armstrong, with contributions from key figures like Jon Cooper, Ryan Getzlaf, and Scott Salmond from Hockey Canada.
Canada is set to compete in the Group A pool at the Winter Olympics, with the gold-medal game scheduled for Feb. 22.