Crosby named Team Canada captain for Milano Cortina Games

Sidney Crosby was named captain for Team Canada at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on Sunday.

Crosby is competing in his third Olympic Games, winning gold with Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and 2010 Vancouver Olympics. He scored in overtime in the gold medal game against the United States in 2010.

The 38-year-old center is in his 21st NHL season and has won the Stanley Cup three times with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017).

Connor McDavid and Cale Makar were named alternate captains.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and it is an honor to be named captain of Canada’s men’s hockey team, which has so many great players and leaders,” Crosby said. “Connor and Cale, along with our entire group, provide incredible leadership, and I am happy to represent Canada together on the same team. We are all proud to wear the Maple Leaf and compete with Team Canada in Milan.”

Crosby, who was also Canada captain in 2014 and at the 4 Nations Face-Off one year ago, has 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 56 games for the Penguins this season. He was one of six players, along with McDavid, Makar, and forwards Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart and Brayden Point named to Canada’s preliminary roster in July.

McDavid leads the NHL with 96 points (34 goals, 62 assists) in 58 games. The 29-year-old Edmonton Oilers center is competing in his first Olympics. Makar, 27, has 57 points (15 goals, 42 assists) in 55 games for the Colorado Avalanche. The defenseman is also competing in his first Olympics.

The 2026 Olympic men’s hockey tournament begins Wednesday and runs through Feb. 22.

Canada is in Group A of the 12-team tournament, along with Czechia, Switzerland, and France. Canada will open the tournament against Czechia at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday (10:40 a.m. ET; Peacock, USA, CBC Gem, CBC).