At a Glance
- 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini named to Canada’s 25-player men’s hockey roster for the Winter Olympics.
- He joins six other newcomers, including Nick Suzuki, Bo Horvat and Tom Wilson, after winning the 4 Nations Face-Off.
- Canada will face Czechia on Feb. 12 in Milan, Italy, as the NHL returns to the Games.
Why it matters: It marks the first NHL participation since 2014 and gives young stars a chance to shine on the world stage.
Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old forward for the San Jose Sharks, has been officially added to Team Canada’s roster for the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, setting the stage for a historic NHL return to the Games.
A Surreal Call
Celebrini received the call from Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong early Wednesday and immediately called his parents. He said it’s an honor to represent Canada, regardless of the tournament.
Macklin Celebrini stated:
> “It’s all surreal,” he added after posting a goal and an assist in the Sharks’ 4-3 shootout win over Minnesota.
Macklin Celebrini continued:
> “I’m just really excited and focused on how special it is to represent my country at the Olympics.”
Doug Armstrong told him:
> “He told me I was on the team and that he was excited for the group.”
Roster Highlights
Celebrini sits third in league scoring behind Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, and is one of six additions after the 4 Nations Face-Off. Other forwards added include Nick Suzuki, Bo Horvat and Tom Wilson. Canada’s defense corps remains intact, but the goaltender lineup has changed.
| Position | New | Replaced |
|---|---|---|
| Goaltender | Logan Thompson, Darcy Kuemper | Adin Hill, Sam Montembeault |
Other 4 Nations forwards who did not make the Olympic team: Sam Bennett, Travis Konecny and Seth Jarvis.
Olympic Schedule
Canada opens its Olympic campaign on Feb. 12 against Czechia in Milan, with the NHL returning to the Games for the first time since 2014.
Key Takeaways
- Macklin Celebrini joins Canada’s Olympic roster as the NHL returns.
- The roster includes six new forwards after the 4 Nations Face-Off.
- Canada will face Czechia on Feb. 12 in Milan to kick off its campaign.
With the NHL’s return, Celebrini and his teammates are already focusing on building chemistry as they prepare for Milan, where every game will be a chance to prove themselves on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
