When it comes to hockey in the country that’s the best at hockey, it’s always a big deal. Even on August 1st. You can feel free to disagree, but repeatedly the Team Canada best-on-best men’s senior hockey squad always wins, even after a loss, they come back with a win. Maybe the one exception being at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. But here we are, in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo 2026, Italy. The idea is to use some of the existing infrastructure from the 2006 Torino games, but that it not the primary host. Rather, that honour goes to the city being the 1956 Winter Olympic hosts. As you can imagine, they have a lot of history to draw from. So, it makes sense Canada wants to do the same, on the ice.
Hockey Canada has invited 42 NHL players to orientation camp in preparation for the 2026 Italy Olympics:
26 Forwards: Bedard, Bennett, Byfield, Celebrini, Cirelli, Crosby, Hagel, Horvat, Hyman, Jarvis, Johnston, Konecny, MacKinnon, Marchand, Marner, McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins,…
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) August 1, 2025
Team Canada Names Its Orientation Camp Roster
This is the who’s, who of hockey supremacy in the game today. Yes, many other countries have great players be it Alex Ovechkin, Aleksander Barkov, or William Nylander. Also, it was hard to believe that the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off was Connor McDavid‘s first as Canada’s best player. Yes, we were given the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but even Team North America was no match in a tournament won by a dominant Team Canada. The Team USA led by Auston Matthews, the (Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Luke Hughes and Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk) brothers, are not to be taken lightly.
No Real Surprises on Forward
But we must recall the Golden Rule. At this juncture, a strong NHL campaign will get you a spot. So even if you aren’t included it doesn’t much matter, you can still make the team. Are you listening Alexis Lafreniere, Jordan Kyrou, Thomas Chabot?
The forwards have the players that have been there, and then the guys you can’t deny. Moreover, some of the players that have earned this level of respect include Quinton Byfield and Nick Suzuki. They’re probably eight or so locks on forward, so depending on injuries at some level. Zach Hyman is a huge presence when out there with McDavid or Mitch Marner. Make no mistake, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon command a lot of respect in the hockey world, and help to provide Canada with a level of support that is tough to stop.
On defence, they have some players at the very top of their game. The pairing of Cale Makar and Devon Toews is legendary already. In addition, Shea Theodore is an example of a defenceman that is as hard to play against as there is in the game. He has the speed and toughness to shutdown any top attacking winger. Aaron Ekblad shutdown McDavid to capture the past two Stanley Cup championships. Josh Morrissey has established himself as elite as they come. It is a very deep Canadian defence.
Finally, between the pipes for the Canadians. It is right now the same trio as played at the Four Nations tourney. That was a very special tournament, and Canada proved to the Americans they are at the top of their game. Jordan Binnington‘s overtime performance to secure the victory in that tournament changed the minds of an entire nations (if not two), perception of how great he can play in clutch situations.
Logan Thompson being left is a tough decision, but the other two have shown to be deserving. Adin Hill is a winner, and Sam Montembeault knows how to rise to the occasion.
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte – Imagn Images
