Cale Makar: Anchoring the Blue Line in Canada’s Chase for Olympic Gold

At 26 years old, Cale Makar has already built one of the most impressive résumés in hockey. From his roots in Calgary to Stanley Cup glory in Colorado, Makar has become the standard for what a modern defenseman can be. As the Olympics head to Milan in 2026, Team Canada will lean on him to anchor its blue line against the world’s best.

Draft Day to NHL Stardom

At UMass, Makar became a household name. In 2018–19, as team captain, he recorded 49 points in 41 games and captured the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in college hockey. His leadership and offensive ability made it clear he was NHL-ready.

Makar’s journey to the NHL began in 2017, when he was selected fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche. Makar debuted with the Colorado Avalanche during the 2019 playoffs and scored in his very first game. By his first full season, he was the Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year. Since then, he has only raised the bar — adding the Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, and two Stanley Cup championships while wearing the “A” as an alternate captain in Colorado.

Since entering the NHL, the Calgary native has led all defensemen in goals (116) and points (428) in 395 games, numbers that show just how consistently he has set the standard at his position.

Big-Game Producer

Makar doesn’t just shine in the regular season — he elevates when the lights are brightest. In 79 career NHL playoff games, he has piled up 22 goals and 63 assists for 85 points, producing at a point-per-game pace from the blue line.

His 2022 run remains iconic: 29 points in 20 games, driving Colorado to the Stanley Cup and earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP. That performance stands as one of the most dominant playoff showings ever by a defenseman — and proof that Makar can take over a tournament.

What He Brings to Team Canada

Team Canada gains more than just skill with Makar — they gain an ultimate difference-maker:

• Power-play quarterback: With McDavid and MacKinnon up front, Makar directs the attack from the point, keeping defenses off balance.
• Transition engine: His skating bursts through Olympic ice traps, flipping defense into offense in seconds.
• Defensive anchor: He logs heavy minutes against elite forwards, giving Canada reliability when risks pile up.
• Proven winner: Already decorated with Cups and trophies, he knows how to deliver on hockey’s biggest stages.

Milan and the Bigger Picture

The 2026 Olympics bring together Canada’s blend of veteran leadership and generational talent. With Sidney Crosby still a presence and Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar in their primes, this roster carries both experience and explosiveness. Makar isn’t just another defender — he’s the anchor who controls pace, calms chaos, and protects leads when medal-round games tighten.

Why Fans Should Watch

Every shift with Makar carries the potential for a highlight. He can glide past forecheckers, spring teammates with pinpoint passes, or unleash a blue-line blast that tilts the scoreboard. On Olympic ice, in a short, high-stakes tournament, he’s the kind of player who can swing momentum in a single play.

If Canada climbs the podium in Milan on Feb. 22, don’t be surprised if No. 8 is front and center, once again proving that when the lights are brightest, he delivers.

Stat Snapshot

• Drafted: 2017, 1st round (#4 overall) by Colorado Avalanche
• NHL Career (Regular Season): 395 GP – 116 G – 288 A – 404 P
• NHL Playoffs: 79 GP – 22 G – 63 A – 85 P
• Stanley Cups: 2 (2022)
• Major Awards: Calder Trophy, Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, Hobey Baker Award
• International Honors: Gold – 2018 World Juniors; Championship – 2025 4 Nations Face-Off