Oilers’ Connor McDavid one of six players named to Canada’s initial 2026 Olympic roster

All six players named to Team Canada were part of the group at this year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, the first best-on-best hockey NHL players have seen since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. McDavid had a huge tournament at the 4 Nations, with five points in four games, including the game-winning overtime goal against the United States to clinch the championship for the Canadians.

Now, as world-class competition returns to arguably the most revered tournaments in international hockey, McDavid and his teammates will look for that winning formula once again in Milan. When NHL players last participated in 2014, Canada won their second of back-to-back Olympic Gold medals in the tournament, their third in the last four appearances. Since then, it hasn’t been as fortunate, with only a Bronze medal to show for their last two appearances, failing to even reach the final four in 2022.

Having been an assistant captain at the 4 Nations tournament, McDavid will also be considered a top contender to captain Team Canada at the upcoming Olympics. That is, of course, if longtime Canadian captain Crosby is ready to pass on the ‘C’ to the next generation.

Beyond just the 4 Nations, McDavid is coming off another banner year. As of Monday’s announcement, the Oilers captain is tied with Leon Draisaitl (who was selected for Team Germany) for the lead in playoff points with 33. Despite dealing with an injury this season and playing only 67 games, he put up an eighth career 100-point season, helping propel this team to another playoff berth.

Currently down 3-2 in the series, the Oilers now travel to Sunrise to face off against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday to fight to bring it back home for Game 7. While McDavid has been relatively quiet over the past few games by his standards, with just a goal and an assist, it’s time to see if he can kick it into another gear for another year to carry this team back to the brink of greatness once again.