Hockey Canada announces preliminary roster for 2026 Olympics

Hockey Canada will host an orientation camp from Aug. 26 to 28 in Calgary in preparation for its men’s, women’s and para hockey teams as they begin to formulate their rosters for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, the governing body announced Friday.

That number includes 42 NHL players, locking in a list of potential names for the final rosters, which can be a maximum of 25 players (22 skaters, three goalies). The IIHF had previously announced Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Connor McDavid, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart as the country’s first six players back in June.

One position that appears set for the Canadians is goaltending. Only three netminders are on their orientation camp roster: Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault. That’s the same trio that backstopped Canada to a win in February’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

Here’s the full initial talent pool that Canada’s braintrust will be choosing from, with an asterisk by each of the six players already locked into the roster:

Forwards

Connor Bedard (Blackhawks)
Sam Bennett (Panthers)
Quinton Byfield (Kings)
Macklin Celebrini (Sharks)
Anthony Cirelli (Lightning)
Sidney Crosby (Penguins)*
Brandon Hagel (Lightning)
Bo Horvat (Islanders)
Zach Hyman (Oilers)
Seth Jarvis (Hurricanes)
Wyatt Johnston (Stars)
Travis Konecny (Flyers)
Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche)*
Brad Marchand (Panthers)
Mitch Marner (Golden Knights)
Connor McDavid (Oilers)*
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Oilers)
Brayden Point (Lightning)*
Sam Reinhart (Panthers)*
Mark Scheifele (Jets)
Mark Stone (Golden Knights)
Nick Suzuki (Canadiens)
John Tavares (Maple Leafs)
Robert Thomas (Blues)
Carter Verhaeghe (Panthers)
Tom Wilson (Capitals)

Defensemen

Evan Bouchard (Oilers)
Noah Dobson (Canadiens)
Drew Doughty (Kings)
Aaron Ekblad (Panthers)
Thomas Harley (Stars)
Cale Makar (Avalanche)*
Brandon Montour (Kraken)
Josh Morrissey (Jets)
Colton Parayko (Blues)
Travis Sanheim (Flyers)
Shea Theodore (Golden Knights)
Devon Toews (Avalanche)
MacKenzie Weegar (Flames)

Goaltenders

Jordan Binnington (Blues)
Adin Hill (Golden Knights)
Sam Montembeault (Canadiens)

Hockey Canada has already announced its front office, led by Blues GM Doug Armstrong with Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, Stars GM Jim Nill, and Bruins GM Don Sweeney as his assistants. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is Canada’s director of player personnel and also had input in orientation camp selection, per the release, along with head coach Jon Cooper and former Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, who’s with the team as a player relations advisor.