Canada’s national men’s hockey team continues to bask in the glory of its recent victory, having triumphed over the USA in overtime during the 4 Nations Face-Off Final last winter. Superstar Connor McDavid etched his name into the annals of international hockey by delivering a stunning wrist shot that clinched the title, marking the first significant event featuring elite NHL talent since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. As they prepare for the upcoming tournament in Milan, Canada arrives wearing the crown, bolstered by a remarkable track record in best-on-best competition, where they have secured victory in six out of seven events this century.
Historically, Canada has dominated international play, winning gold at the 2002 Olympics, 2004 World Cup, 2010 Olympics, 2014 Olympics, 2016 World Cup, and now the 2025 4 Nations. The question remains whether Canada can maintain its winning streak amidst rising competition. Their narrow victory against the USA, reminiscent of the 2010 Vancouver gold medal game decided in overtime, highlights the pressure they face. However, the strength of their forward lineup, featuring elite talents, provides a strong foundation for overcoming potential weaknesses in defense and goaltending.
Reflecting back to the 2022 Winter Olympics, Canada faced unique challenges as the NHL did not participate, leading to a roster filled with veterans and emerging talents. Despite a promising start, the team fell short against Sweden in the quarterfinals. Now, with a roster packed with top NHL scorers like McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Macklin Celebrini, the offense looks formidable. The return of 18 of their 21 skaters from the 4 Nations, where they averaged 3.25 goals per game, underscores their offensive prowess. Coach Jon Cooper faces decisions on how to optimally arrange his superstar forwards for maximum impact, while power-play opportunities remain a significant area of strength.
Defensively, Canada will rely on experience and leadership from veterans such as Drew Doughty and size from players like Colton Parayko. Although concerns linger about the effectiveness of some selections, there is an optimistic view that the team’s experience and competitive spirit will prove invaluable in tight situations.
In goal, Jordan Binnington’s performance was a mixed bag at the 4 Nations, raising questions about his consistency. However, he displayed clutch play in the final and is expected to start, pending a short leash should his struggles continue. Logan Thompson, who has emerged as one of the NHL’s best goalies, faces health concerns, leaving possibilities open for Darcy Kuemper to step in if needed.
Coaching under Jon Cooper brings a wealth of experience and familiarity with the players, having led them to victory at the 4 Nations. His ability to manage the egos of superstars and ensure cohesion within the team will be critical as Canada aims for gold once again.
As Canada prepares for crucial preliminary round matchups against teams like Czechia, Switzerland, and France, they are seen as gold medal contenders. With the USA grappling with roster issues and Sweden and Finland facing significant injuries, the landscape appears favorable for Canada. Fans can look forward to seeing how this talented squad navigates the tournament, with optimism that their blend of skill, strategy, and experience will lead them to another championship title.
Following is the full roster as Canada embarks on their journey:
**GOALTENDERS**
– Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues)
– Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings)
– Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals)
**DEFENSEMEN**
– Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings)
– Thomas Harley (Dallas Stars)
– Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
– Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets)
– Colton Parayko (St. Louis Blues)
– Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia Flyers)
– Shea Theodore (Vegas Golden Knights)
– Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche)
**FORWARDS**
– Sam Bennett (Florida Panthers)
– Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks)
– Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
– Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay Lightning)
– Bo Horvat (New York Islanders)
– Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
– Brad Marchand (Florida Panthers)
– Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights)
– Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
– Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning)
– Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers)
– Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights)
– Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens)
– Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals)
**PRELIMINARY ROUND SCHEDULE**
– Feb. 12 vs. Czechia: 10:40 a.m. ET
– Feb. 13 vs. Switzerland: 3:10 p.m. ET
– Feb. 15 vs. France: 10:40 a.m. ET