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Team Canada officially announced its 25-player men’s hockey roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina and NHL fans were quick to weigh in. While the lineup features superstars like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, several selections have drawn criticism online.
Key points of debate include the decision to include Anthony Cirelli and Brayden Point over top prospects like Connor Bedard.
Following are some fan reactions from X:
“Cirelli and Point over Bedard is funny”@TheFourthPeriod Cirelli and Point over Bedard is funny
@TheFourthPeriod Cirelli over Scheifele is bonkers
The omission of Sam Bennett also sparked backlash.
“No Sam Bennett is crazy. Soft ass Canada team,” wrote one fan.@TheFourthPeriod No Sam Bennett is crazy. Soft ass Canada team.
@TheFourthPeriod Not having the reigning Stanley cup MVP, Bennett is quite a choice or the phenomenal sharp shooter Bedard
@TheFourthPeriod No Bennet is unfortunate; scoring and grit
@TheFourthPeriod Where is Bennett! One the best player for this tournament. 😡
Defensive and goaltending choices didn’t escape scrutiny either.
“Travis Sanheim over Evan Bouchard and Jordan Binnington over Scott Wedgewood are some stupid choices, that’s for sure,” a user posted.@TheFourthPeriod Travis Sanheim over Evan Bouchard and Jordan Binnington over Scott Wedgewood are some stupid choices that’s for sure
@TheFourthPeriod Anyone starting a team & has to pick 1 of cirelli horvat hagel suzuki & schiefele who would you take?Would you pick any 4 of those over Schiefiele? Seriously? Okay you pick suzuki sure. you pick cirelli sure.but youd leave a top line center with size over Hagel & Horvat? Yikes
Despite the criticism, the roster boasts a combination of veteran leadership and top NHL talent with forwards including Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Mitch Marner, Bo Horvat, Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, Brayden Point, Sam Reinhart, Nick Suzuki, Mark Stone, Tom Wilson and rising prospect Macklin Celebrini.
The defensive corps includes Drew Doughty, Cale Makar, Colton Parayko, Josh Morrissey, Travis Sanheim, Shea Theodore, Devon Toews and Thomas Harley, while Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson will man the crease.
Canada’s lineup marks the return of NHL players to the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
Nick Suzuki got his dream Team Canada Olympic nod
Montreal Canadiens star Nick Suzuki has officially been named to Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster fulfilling a long-standing dream of representing his country at the Winter Games.
Earlier this week, Suzuki spoke about the intense process of securing a spot.
“I’ve been nervous and there’s definitely been some anxiety about it,” he admitted. “When you don’t play the best game, you feel like you maybe played your way off the team. You play a good game, you feel like you did something good to make the team.”Reflecting on his recent performances, Suzuki added:
“I felt after the Four Nations break, I’ve played some really good hockey. I just try to show that I can do anything they ask of me.”Suzuki’s international experience includes gold with Canada White at the 2015 World U‑17 Hockey Challenge as well as appearances at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and the 2019 World Junior Championships.
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Edited by Anjum Rajonno
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