Canada's hockey teams kick off their Olympic journey in Milan, with high hopes for gold in both men's and women's tournaments as top players return to the Games.
The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics showcase Canadian hockey prominently on Day 6, with both men’s and women’s teams poised for action. The Canadian men’s team, featuring NHL stars Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, opens their tournament against Czechia. This is a significant event as it marks the return of NHL players to the Olympic Games for the first time since 2014. Crosby is eyeing his third Olympic gold medal, while McDavid is stepping onto the Olympic stage for the first time, adding excitement and high expectations to the match.
On the women's side, the Canadian team faces Finland in their last preliminary round match, looking to bounce back after a disappointing 5-0 defeat to the United States. The women's squad, missing their captain Marie-Philip Poulin due to injury, is under pressure to perform and regain their momentum as they strive for Olympic glory. Both games are crucial for the respective teams as they prepare for the subsequent rounds of the tournament.
Additionally, the Olympics feature Canadian athletes in other sports, with Mikael Kingsbury competing in the men's moguls final, aiming for a record fourth Olympic medal. Meanwhile, Eliot Grondin, the reigning world champion in snowboard cross, is on a quest for the elusive medal that has so far escaped him. The combination of hockey and other sporting events signifies a strong Canadian presence at the Games, with hopes resting on multiple athletes across different disciplines as they seek Olympic success.
