Canada’s men’s hockey team will be in for a test at its 2026 Olympic opener.
The Canadians begin their quest for a gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Games against Czechia on Feb. 12 as NHLers return to the tournament for the first time since 2014.
Canada’s group stage continues Feb. 13 against Switzerland and Feb. 15 against France.
The first six players were named to each roster on Monday, with Canada including Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brayden Point and Sam Reinhart.
The Czechs feature star Bruins winger David Pastrnak, the Swiss have three New Jersey Devils in Jonas Siegenthaler, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier and France’s lone NHLer is Columbus Blue Jackets winger Alexandre Texier.
Canada, which is coming off its title at the 4 Nations Face-Off, is looking for its first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since 2014.
Meanwhile, the Canadian women’s team will aim to defend the gold medal it won at Beijing 2022.
It will face rival U.S. to close out the group stage on Feb. 10. Czechia, Finland and Switzerland round out Group A.
Canada and the U.S. have combined to win every single Olympic gold and silver medal except for one, when Sweden took silver behind the Canadians in 2006.
The women’s tournament features 10 teams playing a total of 28 games, while the men’s event will include 12 teams and 30 games.
Women’s rosters will be 23 players. Hockey Canada will choose its lineup through training camps and performances by players in the Professional Women’s Hockey League next season.
Every game will be contested on an NHL-sized rink across two venues.
Feb. 12 — Canada vs. Czechia, 10:40 a.m. ET / 7:40 a.m. PT (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 13 — Canada vs. Switzerland, 3:10 p.m. ET / 12:10 p.m. PT (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 15 — Canada vs. France, 10:40 a.m. ET / 7:40 a.m. PT (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 17 — Qualification playoffs
Feb. 18 — Quarterfinals
Feb. 20 — Semifinals (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 21 — Bronze-medal game, 2:40 p.m. ET / 11:40 a.m. PT (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 22 — Gold-medal game, 8:10 a.m. ET / 5:10 a.m. PT (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 5 — Canada vs. Finland, 3:10 p.m. ET / 12:10 p.m. PT(Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 7 — Canada vs. Switzerland, 3:10 p.m. ET / 12:10 p.m. PT (Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 9 — Canada vs. Czechia, 3:10 p.m. ET / 12:10 p.m. PT (Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 10 — Canada vs. U.S., 2:10 p.m. ET / 11:10 a.m. PT (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 13/14 — Quarterfinals (Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 16 — Semifinals (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena)
Feb. 19 — Medal games (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena)
–with files from The Canadian Press
