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Connor McDavid remembers feeling the intensity.
An underage hockey player who grew up north of Toronto, the future NHL superstar and his teammates gathered to watch Canada and the United States battle it out in the finals of the 2010 men's Olympic hockey tournament.
They sat on the edge of the sofa as events unfolded thousands of kilometers from Vancouver.
“The nervous energy in the building was transmitted through the television,” McDavid recalled.
And then, like much of the country, they were all on their feet in an instant as Sidney Crosby took a quick pass from Jarome Iginla and fired a shot over the pads of Ryan Miller for a shot. dramatic victory in overtime with a score of 3:2.
“Canada wins gold on home ice,” McDavid added. “There's nothing better than this.”
Then four years later, the hockey team ruthlessly repeated the move – again with Crosby, this time as captain, leading the attack – but those Games in Sochi, Russia, would be the last with NHL players in more than a decade.
After missing 2018 for financial reasons and withdrawing from 2022 due to COVID-19, top players returned to the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Canada won't do anything short of one more podium appearance.
“Energy comes from 4 nations”
The NHL is preparing for Italy's return to the Games in February, fresh off the heels of last season's nail-biting Four Nations showdown that saw Canada again top the United States in overtime thanks to McDavid's dramatic winner.
“You can feel the energy coming out of the 4 Nations,” Crosby, the 38-year-old captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, said at Canada's summer orientation camp in Calgary. “It was huge and I think everyone got a taste of international hockey and what the Olympics would be like.
Canada beats the USA 3-2 in overtime as Connor McDavid scores the winning goal in the Four Nations final.
“A lot of different emotions, but I’m just excited, motivated and grateful to be able to do it again.”
The 12 countries that will take part in the competition will unveil their full lists this week after months of preparation. Canada will announce its lineup on Wednesday at 12:00 pm ET.
“The Four Nations was kind of an appetizer to what the Olympics could be,” said McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers. “Very excited about it.”
Canada has some interesting roster decisions to make after already naming McDavid, Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Sam Reinhart and Brayden Point back in June.
McLean Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks' first overall draft pick in 2024, is third in NHL scoring behind McDavid and MacKinnon entering Monday's game.
It's rare that a 19-year-old has even gotten a glimpse of Canada in past Games, but the brain trust led by St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong will have a hard time ignoring what the center with offensive instincts and an outstanding 200-foot game has accomplished this season.
Host Carissa Donkin is joined by Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong as he shares his views on selecting the men's Olympic squad for Milan-Cortina 2026.
Meanwhile, Chicago forward Connor Bedard's recent upper-body injury may have kept him out of the competition, but McDavid noted that both players are aiming to make the Olympic team.
“They were great,” he said in the fall. “It’s good to see them taking steps. They are truly impressive.”
Goalkeeper picture unclear
Canada's defense should look the same or very similar to the Four Nations defense, but goaltending remains an ongoing question.
Blues netminder Jordan Binnington likely deserves his first Olympic appearance on Feb. 12 after his heroics in the Four Nations, but lopsided statistics this season have opened the door for others, including the Washington Capitals' Logan Thompson with his .917 save percentage and 2.27 goals-against average.
“You've seen guys get off to great starts and get spots all over the league,” McDavid said. “It was fun to watch.”
Hosts Carissa Donkin and The Athletic's Hayley Salvian discuss which of three promising Canadian stars could make the Milan Cortina 2026 men's hockey team.
However, discussion of rosters was far from the only topic of the Olympic Games.
Construction delays in Milan and the size of the rink being slightly smaller than originally agreed have been some of the unfortunate headlines of the last few months. But the International Olympic Committee and organizers said everything was going according to plan.
“It's a little different,” Canadian and Tampa Bay Lightning head coach John Cooper, who was also on the 4 Nations bench, said of the size of the rink. “Both teams have to play on this.”
The NHL is once again in the spotlight of the international community. McDavid, as he was nearly 16 years ago when Canada faced the United States in Vancouver, is excited to see what comes next.
“I play hockey at the highest level,” he said before the start of the season. “Hockey at the Four Nations Championship was the fastest, most controlled and hardest hockey I have ever played or been a part of. I can only imagine what he will be like at the Olympics and at the next level.
“Ultimately, this is what everyone wants – sport at the highest level. That's what the Olympics are all about and that's what we're looking forward to.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly spoke Wednesday about the upcoming Winter Olympics and answered questions about their views on the condition of the facility, the ice and what they expect. Bettman said he believes the global event is good for hockey, but added that he remains “disappointed” that the hockey building is not completed.
