McDavid's Olympic mission one-game closer to reaching Gold
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
In a recent interview, Team Canada's head coach Jon Cooper said that what we're all witnessing is Connor McDavid on a mission for his country.
In a Cooper’s post game comments recently, Canada’s coach revealed some wild comments from McDavid after the 4 Nations Faceoff.
It’s weird. We talked after 4 Nations, and [McDavid] didn’t think he was at his best in that tournament, which I thought he was outstanding for us.
I think he’s coming here on a mission, and you’re watching it.
- Jon Cooper
I think he’s coming here on a mission, and you’re watching it.
- Jon Cooper
McDavid reaching new heights at Olympics
I can go on about McDavid's Olympic goal share, TOI, and shots on goal, but just take it for granted that he is leading all players in each of those categories and more. His dominance has been noticeable, at a rate never before seen, in fact.
And after 4 Nations Face-Off last year, where he scored 3G and 2A in four-games, won 63.5% of his face-offs on 20:56 TOI, and then scored the tournament’s golden goal in overtime against Team USA, 97 didn't think he'd played his best hockey.
Watching him in this Olympics, I see he was right. He's doing things never before seen.
He has tied a national record for most assists in a single Olympic game (three) and has moved ahead of Marian Hossa and Teemu Selanne for most points scored through a team’s first two games of an Olympic tournament with NHL participation.
Wait, and he added another three points today against France, bringing his point total after three games to nine, the most by any Canadian player at the Olympics.
The Olympic record with NHL-participation is 11-points, held by Finns Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu.
Not to get ahead of myself, but it's not a stretch to suggest he will surpass that number, thereby setting a new record.
What we're seeing at the 2026 Winter Olympics is the best player in the world playing a complete game, one that even his teammates can't help but comment on.
“We want to play physical, and when he’s leading the way in that category, I think we all notice," Canada's captain Crosby said. "I think that shows how badly he wants it. He’s leading in a lot of other ways. But especially that way, we all see it and we all want to follow suit.”
So far, the team has followed suit.
Team Canada's next game is the quarterfinal on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Also read on Edmonton Hockey Daily :
Team France has surprising comments on Team Canada after Olympic matchup
Team France has surprising comments on Team Canada after Olympic matchup