Four NHL players with roots in British Columbia have earned coveted spots on Team Canada's men's hockey roster for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The announcement, made on December 31, 2025, brings both celebration and notable surprise, as teenage sensation Macklin Celebrini is confirmed while fellow young star Connor Bedard did not make the final cut.
Celebrini Leads B.C. Contingent
The headliner from the West Coast is Macklin Celebrini, the West Vancouver native who has taken the NHL by storm in his rookie season with the San Jose Sharks. His selection underscores a rapid rise to the sport's highest international level. Celebrini joins three other established NHL talents born in British Columbia, though the specific names of the other three players were the primary focus of the initial report.
The inclusion of these four athletes highlights the continued strength of hockey development in British Columbia, a province that consistently produces elite talent for the professional ranks and the national program.
Notable Omission: Connor Bedard
The roster news also carried a significant surprise for Canadian hockey fans. Connor Bedard, the North Vancouver phenom and former first-overall draft pick, was not included in the final selection. His omission marks one of the most talked-about decisions by the Team Canada management group, given his high profile and offensive prowess.
While the reasons for Bedard's exclusion were not detailed in the initial announcement, such decisions often involve considerations of roster balance, specific role requirements, and the intense competition for a limited number of forward positions on a star-studded Canadian team.
Road to Milan-Cortina 2026
The official team reveal sets the stage for Canada's campaign to reclaim Olympic gold in men's hockey. The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy will mark the return of NHL players to the Games, ensuring the most competitive tournament since 2014.
For the selected B.C. players, representing Canada on this global stage is the culmination of years of dedication. Their journey from local rinks in British Columbia to the NHL and now to the Olympic team serves as an inspiration for the next generation of players across the province and the country.
As the team prepares for the tournament in February 2026, all eyes will be on how this blend of veteran experience and new blood, including the celebrated Macklin Celebrini, performs under the intense pressure of Olympic competition.
