36 CHL alumni take part in Canada’s 2026 Winter Olympic orientation camp
The path to the 2026 Winter Olympics is officially underway.
Thirty-six CHL alumni gathered in Calgary, AB., earlier this week for a brief three-day orientation camp hosted by Hockey Canada as preparation for Milan-Cortina 2026 begun.
“It’s a big group,” said Pittsburgh Penguins captain and Rimouski Oceanic alumnus Sidney Crosby. “Some familiar faces but a lot of new ones from the last time we got together here in 2014. Getting to know everyone and getting as much preparation as far as knowing what to expect when we go there. It’s a lot of things crammed into three days but it’s really important for us.”
While there may not be a ton of carryover from the last time NHL players were involved at the Olympics – just three players in Crosby, Drew Doughty and John Tavares suited up for Canada 12 years ago when they won gold – there is significant recent familiarity from this year’s Four Nations; all 21 CHL players that won gold with Canada were invited to this week’s camp.
“A lot of us played together at the Four Nations but for us as a group, try to prepare as best as we can whether it’s things on the ice or off the ice that can help us when we get there,” Crosby said. “Any time we can be together and benefit from this time is important and we’ll try to make the most of it.”
Without NHL participation in a decade plus, and a roster for orientation camp that is largely comprised of players born in 1990 or later, the majority of Canada’s squad hadn’t even begun their junior careers when Canada won gold in 2014. Now, an opportunity exists to play in arguably the biggest sports event in the world.
“You talk to people that have been there and the consensus is always ‘there’s nothing like it or compares to it,'” said the Florida Panthers’ Sam Reinhart who won a WHL title with the Kootenay Ice in 2011. “It’s been out of the game for so long you almost don’t take it for granted because of that.
“There’s a lot of high-end players that missed out on that opportunity so you have to kind of cherish it … you almost relish it that much more and seize that opportunity.”
In all, 19 players at camp previously played in the OHL, 11 in the WHL and six in the QMJHL. Additionally, there are a pair of ownership ties; new Brantford Bulldogs owner Zach Hyman is included as is Penticton Vees partner and Barrie Colt alumnus Mark Scheifele.
The 12-team tournament gets underway Feb. 11 where Canada has been drawn into Group A alongside Czechia, Switzerland and France. The gold medal game will take place Feb. 22.
Goaltenders (3)
| Name | NHL club | CHL club |
| Jordan Binnington | St. Louis Blues | Owen Sound Attack (2009-13) |
| Adin Hill | Vegas Golden Knights | Portland Winterhawks (2013-16) |
| Sam Montembeault | Montreal Canadiens | Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (2013-17) |
Defencemen (9)
| Name | NHL club | CHL club |
| Evan Bouchard | Edmonton Oilers | London Knights (2015-19) |
| Noah Dobson | Montreal Canadiens | Acadie-Bathurst Titan / Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (2016-19) |
| Drew Doughty | LA Kings | Guelph Storm (2005-08) |
| Aaron Ekblad | Florida Panthers | Barrie Colts (2011-14) |
| Thomas Harley | Dallas Stars | Mississauga Steelheads (2017-2020) |
| Josh Morrissey | Winnipeg Jets | Prince Albert Raiders / Kelowna Rockets (2010-15) |
| Travis Sanheim | Philadelphia Flyers | Calgary Hitmen (2013-16) |
| Shea Theodore | Vegas Golden Knights | Seattle Thunderbirds (2010-15) |
| MacKenzie Weegar | Calgary Flames | Halifax Mooseheads (2012-14) |
Forwards (24)
| Name | NHL club | CHL club |
| Connor Bedard | Chicago Blackhawks | Regina Pats (2020-23) |
| Sam Bennett | Florida Panthers | Kingston Frontenacs (2012-15) |
| Quinton Byfield | LA Kings | Sudbury Wolves (2018-20) |
| Anthony Cirelli | Tampa Bay Lightning | Oshawa Generals / Erie Otters (2014-17) |
| Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins | Rimouski Oceanic (2003-05) |
| Brandon Hagel | Tampa Bay Lightning | Red Deer Rebels (2015-19) |
| Bo Horvat | New York Islanders | London Knights (2011-14) |
| Seth Jarvis | Carolina Hurricanes | Portland Winterhawks (2017-21) |
| Wyatt Johnston | Dallas Stars | Windsor Spitfires (2019-22) |
| Travis Konecny | Philadelphia Flyers | Ottawa 67’s / Sarnia Sting (2013-16) |
| Nathan MacKinnon | Colorado Avalanche | Halifax Mooseheads (2011-13) |
| Brad Marchard | Florida Panthers | Moncton Wildcats / Val-d’Or Foreurs / Halifax Mooseheads (2004-08) |
| Mitch Marner | Vegas Golden Knights | London Knights (2013-16) |
| Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | Erie Otters (2012-15) |
| Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | Edmonton Oilers | Red Deer Rebels (2008-11) |
| Brayden Point | Tampa Bay Lightning | Moose Jaw Warriors (2011-16) |
| Sam Reinhart | Florida Panthers | Kootenay Ice (2010-15) |
| Mark Scheifele | Winnipeg Jets | Barrie Colts (2010-13) |
| Mark Stone | Vegas Golden Knights | Brandon Wheat Kings (2008-12) |
| Nick Suzuki | Montreal Canadiens | Owen Sound Attack / Guelph Storm (2015-19) |
| John Tavares | Toronto Maple Leafs | Oshawa Generals / London Knights (2005-09) |
| Robert Thomas | St. Louis Blues | London Knights / Hamilton Bulldogs (2015-18) |
| Carter Verhaeghe | Florida Panthers | Niagara IceDogs (2011-15) |
| Tom Wilson | Washington Capitals | Plymouth Whalers (2010-13) |
