Editor’s Note: This was written prior to the start of Olympic events.
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will officially kick off after the opening ceremonies on February 6, with events beginning on February 4. With 116 events and medals being handed out nearly every day, there’s no shortage of excitement. Canada will look to defend its 26 medals from Beijing, including 4 gold. Headlined, of course, by the return of NHL players, here’s the biggest storylines for Team Canada heading into the Games.
Curling:
Canada is the most successful country in Olympic curling since its return to the Games in 1998, with the most gold medals (6) and the most medals overall (12). However, Canada has not won a curling title since the mixed doubles tournament in 2018. With men’s bronze being the only curling medal for Canada in 2022, the team will look to change that in Milan. The women’s team, skipped by Rachel Homan, is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and a favourite to win gold. The men’s team, skipped by 2014 Olympic champion Brad Jacobs, was very dominant during qualifications, but is considered an underdog for the title. On the mixed doubles side, Team Jacobs second Brett Gallant will play with Jocelyn Peterson.
Curling is the only sport in action every day of the Olympics. Team Homan will play their first game February 12 against Denmark, Team Jacobs will play their first game February 11 against Germany, and the mixed doubles team will play their first game February 4 against the Czech Republic.
Figure Skating:
Canada’s figure skaters will look to return to the podium in Milan after failing to medal in 2022. The team is led by four-time world championship ice dancing medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, heading to their third consecutive Olympics together (fourth for Poirier). Pairs skater Deanna Stellano-Dudek will become the oldest woman to compete in a figure skating event since 1928 at age 42. She will make her Olympic debut with Maxime Deschamps; the pair are the 2024 World Champions. Figure skating begins with the team event from February 6-8.
Speedskating:
Canada has qualified the maximum number of quota spots on the short track for the first time since 1998 and is expected to be in medal contention for every event. The team is headlined by the men’s and women’s Crystal Globe winners from the 2025-2026 ISU Short Track World Tour in William Dandjinou and Courtney Sarault. Sarault won nine World Tour medals this season, while Dandjinou, who will make his Olympic debut, won eight to go with his second consecutive Crystal Globe. Others on the team include four-time Olympic medalist Kim Boutin at her third straight Olympics, and Steven Dubois, who won three medals in 2022. Short track competition begins on February 10.
On the long track, Canada’s team has many Olympic veterans. The 2022 women’s team pursuit champions Isabelle Widemann, Ivanie Blondin, and Valerie Maltais are returning for both the team pursuit and individual events. The trio has 8 World Cup circuit medals combined this season, including three in the team pursuit. On the men’s side, former 5,000 m world record holder and 2018 10,000 m Olympic champion Ted-Jan Bloeman will look for a return to the podium after missing it in 2022. Laurent Dubreuil, one of Canada’s most successful speedskaters ever with 50 World Cup circuit medals, is also returning for his third Olympics. Long track competition begins on February 7.
Fun Fact: Canada’s long track team has one sibling pair (Laura and Daniel Hall) and five second-generation Olympians.
Women’s Hockey:
The defending Olympic champions will look to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 2014, when they won their fourth in a row. Much of the team needs no introduction, with 16 returning members from 2022 and captain Marie-Philip Poulin heading to her fifth Olympics. One Olympic debut to watch is Daryl Watts, who is one of the top offensive players in the PWHL. Judging by the last World Championship and Canada-USA Rivalry Series, it’s tough to say if Canada is the favourite, but anything can happen at the Olympics.
Canada will play in Group A for the round robin against the United States, Finland, Czechia, and Switzerland, with a guaranteed spot in the quarterfinals. Their first game is on February 5 against Finland.
Men’s Hockey:
The biggest storyline heading into these Olympics is the return of NHL players for the first time since 2014. While this has been covered extensively since the team was announced, and roster snubs are not going to be discussed, here’s a few things to know about Team Canada:
- All but four skaters and two goalies were on the winning 4 Nations Face-Off team last year. One notable newcomer is 19 year old Macklin Celebrini, who at the time of writing this, is third in the NHL in points behind only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.
- Sidney Crosby and Drew Doughty are the only ones on the team with Olympic experience, both winning gold in 2014 and 2010.
- Goaltending has been a hot topic, but if there’s one thing Jordan Binnington does, it’s show up when the pressure’s on (or maybe Logan Thompson will be the starter).
- Brayden Point is currently week-to-week with an injury, so it’s not clear yet if he’ll be ready for the Olympics. It’ll be interesting to see who Canada names as his replacement, if it gets to that point.
Canada will play in Group A for the round robin against Czechia, Switzerland, and France, with their first game on February 12 against Czechia.
Honourable Mention – Freestyle Skiing: Fresh off becoming the first skier ever to reach 100 World Cup victories, Mikaël Kingsbury will compete in the moguls beginning February 10. He will also be one of Canada’s flag bearers at the opening ceremonies, along with ski cross specialist Marielle Thompson.
Go Canada!!!
References:
Campigotto, J. (2026, January 14). Will Canada end its Olympic curling drought? Retrieved from CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/the-buzzer-newsletter-olympics-curling-preview-9.7045705
CBC Sports. (2025, December 17). Dandjinou, Sarault headline Canada’s strong Olympic short track team for Milano Cortina. Retrieved from CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/short-track-speed-skating/canada-short-track-speed-skating-olympic-team-announced-milano-cortina-9.7019154
Harrison, D. (2026, January 15). Speed skating Olympians Weidemann, Maltais, Blondin headline Canada’s long track team for Milan Cortina. Retrieved from CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/speed-skating/weidemann-canada-olympic-roster-long-track-speed-skating-milan-cortina-9.7046701
NHL Media. (2025, December 31). Team Canada roster for 2026 Winter Olympics includes Celebrini, Horvat. Retrieved from NHL: https://www.nhl.com/news/canada-roster-for-2026-winter-olympics
Nichols, P. (2026, January 11). Team Canada’s Olympic figure skating team for Milano Cortina 2026 revealed. Retrieved from Canadian Olympic Committee: https://olympic.ca/2026/01/11/team-canadas-olympic-figure-skating-team-for-milano-cortina-2026-revealed/
The Canadian Press. (2026, January 9). Canada’s Mikaël Kingsbury captures historic 100th World Cup competition with win at home in Quebec. Retrieved from CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/freestyle-skiing/mikael-kingsbury-100-world-cup-victory-jan9-9.7040819
The Canadian Press. (2026, January 9). Poulin, Nurse headline Canada’s women’s Olympic hockey roster. Retrieved from Sportsnet: https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/article/poulin-nurse-headline-canadas-womens-olympic-hockey-roster/
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