Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Canada Announces Sidney Crosby News Before Olympic Semifinals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 9:57 AM ET

Team Canada advanced to the 2026 Winter Olympics semifinals with a 4-3 overtime win over Czechia on Wednesday.

The game remained tight throughout, with Canada trailing twice before Nick Suzuki tied it late in regulation and Mitch Marner scored the overtime winner.

During the second period of that quarterfinal, Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby exited after absorbing several hits. Once he left the game, the 38-year-old did not return, and Hockey Canada later confirmed he was ruled out for the remainder of that game.

Head coach Jon Cooper left the door open for Crosby's return for the semifinal, speaking after the win over Czechia.

“We got the best of the best looking at him,” Cooper said. “We’re taking this day by day, and we’re not going to put anybody in harm’s way. But if he can play, he’s definitely going to. We’ll know more again in 24 hours.”

Sidney Crosby will not play in the semifinals. Connor McDavid will wear the ‘C’ today, with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon serving as alternates.

Sidney Crosby ne jouera pas en demi-finale. Connor McDavid portera le « C » aujourd’hui, Cale Makar et Nathan MacKinnon, le « A ». pic.twitter.com/Vk9J07BQzg
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 20, 2026

On Friday, however, Canada announced Crosby will not play in the semifinal against Finland.

According to ESPN's sources, Crosby remains "hopeful to return for the gold medal game should Canada advance, but it's unclear if he will be able to."

Crosby underwent an MRI for the lower-body injury, and according to ESPN's report, the imaging did not show a "worst-case scenario."

Team Canada forward Sydney Crosby (87) during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game.Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Crosby did not participate in Canada’s optional skate on Thursday. The team held a closed morning skate on Friday, and sources told ESPN that Crosby was seen wearing a walking boot at the team hotel.

Under international rules, every team must have a captain in the lineup, and Canada announced that Connor McDavid will wear the “C” against Finland.

Crosby has two goals and four assists at the tournament, tied for third on the team in points.

Canada and Finland face off at 10:40 a.m. ET Friday on USA Network (joined at 11:50 a.m.) and Peacock for a place in the gold medal game against the winner of USA vs. Slovakia, which will be played at 3:10 p.m. ET Friday on NBC and Peacock.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: