Canada has jumped out to a good start for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. As of the second intermission, they held a 3-0 edge on Team Czechia. However, they had some tough news to break, as defenceman Josh Morrissey wouldn’t return to the game. Let’s get some details.
Canada Has an Injury to Defenceman Josh Morrissey
Josh Morrissey will not return…hopefully not serious.
Now that Canada has played, no injury replacement can be added to the roster
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 12, 2026
Luckily, for Canada, they have had a great start to the Olympic hockey tournament. The unfortunate part is losing a strong defender like Morrissey. He did start the game playing with Colton Parayko, but the lines were swapped around for the second period. Shea Theodore had found his way playing with Parayko to start the second. Morrissey has played 7:10 of ice time in this opening game. Furthermore, we will have to await further updates on Morrissey’s status going forward in the tournament. Again, after the game, head coach Jon Cooper didn’t give confirmation on his go forward status. They don’t think it is serious and why he did try to return after it had happened.
Now, the tournament has its own set of rules regarding injury replacements. Perhaps part of it is the very stringent drug testing protocol the players have to adhere to. Since the tournament has begun, Canada will be unable to replace Morrissey. That is, if he ends up being out for the tournament. We want to emphasize, at this time, that is very much unknown.
Postgame, Jon Cooper told @sportsnetkyle that Josh Morrissey tried to come back, but couldn’t.
They are hopeful it’s not serious
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 12, 2026
What Does this Mean for the Canada Defence Going Forward
This was part of the reasoning for the slightly expanded size of the Olympic hockey rosters. Typically a roster is 23-man is sent to international hockey tournaments, but for this tournament it is a 25-man roster.
Moreover, this allows for 14 forwards, eight defenceman, and three goalies. Those counts being up from the usual 13 forwards and seven d-man.
For now, this injury to Morrissey would likely mean Travis Sanheim draws into the Canadian lineup. Now, it is a surety that Morrissey can’t play next game, but if he is injured, Sanheim will draw in to replace him.
Main Photo Credit: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters via Imagn Images
