The wait for the return of best-on-best international hockey is almost over, and Canada has officially revealed the squad it hopes will bring home gold. On Wednesday, general manager Doug Armstrong revealed the finalized 25-man roster for the Milan Cortina Olympics, and the biggest headline is the inclusion of teenage sensation Macklin Celebrini.
At just 19 years old, the North Vancouver native has forced his way onto a team loaded with future Hall of Famers. He is currently sitting third in league scoring, trailing only superstar teammates Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. This makes him only the third teenager in history to represent Canada at a best-on-best tournament, joining the legendary Steve Yzerman and Eric Lindros.
Armstrong mentioned that Celebrini was not even on the radar for the 4 Nations tournament just over a year ago. However, his rapid growth with the San Jose Sharks made him impossible to ignore. His skill level and maturity have impressed the management group, and even Connor McDavid has given the selection his full blessing.
This roster marks the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage after a 12-year absence. For many fans, this news has sparked a massive interest in the upcoming games and the odds of another Canadian victory. Expert writers like Brett Curtis frequently track these developments for the EsportsInsider team. He suggests that as the tournament gets closer, more people will be looking for information on legal sports betting in Canada to see how the oddsmakers view this star-studded lineup. Using these platforms brings several clear benefits.
One benefit is the ability to access a massive variety of events from all over Canada at any time. You also get payouts that move much faster than they did in the past, so you can receive your winnings quickly.
Another advantage is the inclusion of special rewards and bonuses that add an extra layer of excitement to every match. Brett Curtis emphasizes that having a reliable way to follow the numbers is part of the modern fan experience.
While the forward group is full of familiar names, the goaltending situation saw some significant changes. Jordan Binnington remains part of the group, but he will be joined by newcomers Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper. These two have put up strong numbers this season and earned their spots over previous 4 Nations choices like Adin Hill.
The selection process was not without its tough calls. Notable names like Connor Bedard and Mark Scheifele did not make the final cut for the finalized group. Bedard was a strong candidate until an upper-body injury in December complicated his status. Doug Armstrong noted that the decisions were difficult because the talent pool in the country is so deep. Every player on the list had to earn their spot through consistent play over the last two seasons.
With Jon Cooper behind the bench, Canada looks to replicate the success they found at the 4 Nations final last year. The team will play its inaugural game on February 12 against Czechia. Between now and then, the focus will be on keeping everyone healthy during the regular season.
Fans can follow the latest roster news and injury updates through Hockey Canada to stay informed before the puck drops in Italy. This Olympic return is a historic moment for the sport, and this roster proves that Canada is ready to compete at the highest level once again.
