42 NHL players invited to Canada’s Olympic orientation camp
Some of the game’s biggest stars are set to fight for spots in next year’s Winter Olympics.
On Friday, Hockey Canada released the names of 42 NHLers who have been invited to the National Team Orientation Camp for later this month. The list includes 26 forwards, 13 defensemen and three goaltenders. The group will be looking to wow Canada’s staff – including general manager Doug Armstrong and head coach Jon Cooper – in order to have the chance to wear the maple leaf at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina.
Only three players on the list were part of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, the last time NHL players participated at the Games. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares and Los Angeles Kings defender Drew Doughty are looking to prove that age is just a number. Crosby and Doughty were on Team Canada’s roster at the 4 Nations Face-Off back in February.
24 of the players invited to camp were on that 4 Nations team that beat the United States to win the in-season tournament. Goaltenders Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembault will be in attendance, as will the likes of Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, Mitch Marner, and Connor McDavid – each of whom played crucial roles in Canada’s victorious effort.
Several of those names are part of the 12 who have previously won gold at the IIHF Men’s World Championship. Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Brandon Hagel and Mark Scheifele also tasted international success in the annual tournament. To add to the championship pedigree on the camp’s roster, 19 of the athletes have lifted Lord Stanley’s Cup, as Sam Bennett, Colton Parayko and Sam Reinhart are among the names to have won Hockey’s Ultimate Prize.
A few intriguing names to keep an eye on in the upcoming camp include Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston, and Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard, young players who have played for their country in the past, but not at the same level as the Olympics.
The men’s, women’s and para hockey camps are scheduled to take place from Aug. 26-28 in Calgary.