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Capitals Winger Reflects on 4 Nations Face-Off Snub

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 7:08 AM ET

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson didn’t hide his disappointment over being left off Team Canada’s roster for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last February.

Despite boasting a strong résumé and coming with a vast leadership pedigree, the veteran Capitals winger wasn’t added to the national squad that won the 4 Nations and included superstar players such as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner, Brad Marchand, and Nathan MacKinnon.

“All I could think about is that I wished I was there. So much. So badly,” Wilson told NHL.com. “Obviously, it’s a dream of your whole life to be mentioned in that type of realm of the guys with that type of pedigree.”

Wilson hopes to fulfill ‘dream’ of playing for Canada at Olympics ⤵️https://t.co/6ELK4yX3Pk
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) July 23, 2025

Team Canada went on to win the tournament, edging the United States 3–2 in the final. Wilson admitted he eventually accepted the situation for what it was.

“Leading up to (4 Nations), obviously I was a little bummed not to be part of it. And then, leading up to it, I was like, ‘You know what? I’ll enjoy the break and not think too much about it.’”

Wilson's focus has already shifted toward cracking Canada’s roster for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina.

“I’m just going to try and play as well as I can up until the final team is announced and put my name in the hat,” Wilson said.

Wilson should at least be among the players under serious consideration when Olympic training camp begins in Calgary in August.

“There’s a lot of really good superstar names, and just to be even in the mix is a huge privilege,” Wilson said. “I’m just going to try and play as well as I can up until the final team is announced and put my name in the hat.”

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

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