Why Connor Bedard isn't on Canada's Olympic men's hockey roster

Connor Bedard is one of the best young Canadian players in the world of hockey.

Despite that, the Chicago Blackhawks' third-year center isn't on Team Canada's roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

It wasn't a total snub, but it also surprised a lot of hockey fans.

Bedard, still just 20, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft after playing for the Regina Pats.

MORE: U.S. Olympians get paid shockingly less than other countries for gold medals

This season, he has played 44 games and has 23 goals with 30 assists for the Blackhawks.

He was passed over for Team Canada, and even after a couple injuries, he remained off the roster.

Why isn't Connor Bedard on Team Canada's Olympic hockey roster?

In short, Bedard was passed up for veteran experience.

It wasn't a shoo-in to put Bedard on the team. He's not necessarily made to be a bottom-six player, as he's mostly an offensive-minded player at this point in his career.

Nick Suzuki was one of the last few forwards to make the roster, and Canada liked his ability to play on the wing and contribute in a lot of different ways.

MORE: USA curling's Danny Casper doesn't let GBS health issue slow him down

The most headline-grabbing snub was Sam Bennett from the Panthers, and he was chosen as an injury replacement after Anthony Cirelli had to be taken off the roster due to injury.

Bedard will have future chances to play in the Olympics. This time around, it just wasn't quite his time.

More Olympics news:

• This U.S. luge star was parodied on SNL
• Amber Glenn gets into music dispute during Olympic figure skating program
• The Winter Olympics mascots are adorable
• Mike Tirico had a crazy flight to get from the Super Bowl to the Olympics
• This USA curling star looks like Pommel Horse Guy
• 5 U.S. women's hockey stars attended the same high school