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Connor McDavid speaks to media about going to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
With all the hype surrounding Connor McDavid's extension recently, the fact that he was in Calgary primarily for Team Canada's Orientation camp to prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics, was overlooked. Well, it was at least the 2nd-most important news.
Connor McDavid was among 92 NHL, women's and para hockey players at the three-day Orientation camp.
"Being here with the women's team, the para team," McDavid said on Wednesday, "you just get the feeling of being part of something that's bigger than just your club team, just being part the Oilers, or Pittsburgh, or Florida, it's so much bigger than that. It unites the country."
Of the 92 athletes, however, 42 were NHL players that will compete for a 25-man roster, which will be announced in early January, and of which six have already been selected: Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Sam Reinhart, Nathan MacKinnon, Brayden Point, and Cale Makar.
Of course, Connor McDavid will want to pace himself, and peak for both the Olympics and another Stanley Cup Playoff run in the spring.
"For myself, the hockey at the 4 Nations was the fastest," McDavid added, " and tightest-checking, most difficult hockey I've ever played and ever been a part of, so I can only imagine what it's going to be like at the Olympics,"
Sydney Crosby was also present at the Orientation camp media availability and commented about what players could expect while in Calgary.
"We'll probably go over some system stuff here the next couple of days, so we'll get a better feel for that," Crosby said. "It's NHL ice surface, so I would think that, as far as structures and things like that, it would be pretty similar. But you look at the skill level, the speed, it's a whole other level. If it's anything like 4 Nations, it is going to be fast."
The last NHL game before the Olympic break is Feb. 5. Canada opens against it's Olympic schedule Czechia on Feb. 12.
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AOUT 29 | 245 ANSWERS Connor McDavid speaks to media about going to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics Will Zach Hyman make the 25-man Team Canada roster which will be announced early January? | ||
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