Shocking roster decision sends a pair of Avalanche superstars abroad
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy / USA TODAY Sports
Hockey Canada revealed the first six names on its 2026 Winter Olympic Games roster today, with the tournament set to take place from February 6-22 in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
Among those selected, are Avalanche superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Gabriel Landeskog was selected to Team Sweden, while Martin Necas was selected to play for Team Czechia.
A pair of Avalanche superstars will be sent abroad next season.
Team Canada heads into the Olympics riding momentum as the reigning champions of the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off held in February.
"MacKinnon, who will be 30 years old at the Olympics, represented Team Canada at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and won gold. He was named the showcase's MVP after tallying a tournament-leading four goals (4g/0a) in four games, joining Wayne Gretzky (1987) and Joe Sakic (2002) as the only players in hockey history to be the reigning MVP of both the NHL season and the most recent best-on-best international tournament." -NHL.com
MacKinnon's international resume also features four appearances at the IIHF World Championship. He also represented Canada at the 2013 World Junior Championship and suited up for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
"Makar, 26, was awarded the 2024-25 James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability at the position. He's been a finalist in each of the last five seasons and also took home the award in 2021-22. Makar is one of 14 players in League history to have multiple Norris Trophies to his name and one of six to grab multiple before turning 27 years old." -NHL.com
Makar played a key role in Canada's victory at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, leading all players in ice time with an average of 26:47 per game. The 2026 Winter Olympics will mark just his second international appearance since turning pro. Previously, he helped Canada win gold at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, earning a spot on the tournament's Under-20 All-Star Team.
It will be MacKinnon and Makar's first time representing Canada at the Olympics.
Source:
NHL.com
MacKinnon, Makar Selected to Team Canada's 2026 Olympic Roster
Makar played a key role in Canada's victory at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, leading all players in ice time with an average of 26:47 per game. The 2026 Winter Olympics will mark just his second international appearance since turning pro. Previously, he helped Canada win gold at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, earning a spot on the tournament's Under-20 All-Star Team.
It will be MacKinnon and Makar's first time representing Canada at the Olympics.
Source:
NHL.com
MacKinnon, Makar Selected to Team Canada's 2026 Olympic Roster
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