Connor McDavid felt what meant being an Olympic while looking at the broader hockey team in Canada.
Edmonton Oilers captain was among the 92 NHL players, female and for hockey summoned to a three -day guidance field in Calgary to prepare for 2026 winter games in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
“Being here with the female team, the team for, you only have the feeling of being part of something that is bigger than only your club team, it is only part of the oilers, Pittsburgh, or Florida, is much larger than that,” McDavid said Wednesday.
“Unite the country.”
The stars left last night when the orientation camp of the national teams began in Calgary! 🇨🇦🌟
Les étoiles shine soir soir à l’Ambece du Camp d’anientation des équipes National à Calgary! 🇨🇦🌟 pic.twitter.com/b9ntrszhud
McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Sam Reinhart, Nathan McKinnon, Brayden Point and Cale Makar were the first half -dozen players named for the 2026 male team in Canada.
There were another 36 NHL players in Calgary camp in the hope of joining them when the 25 -men Olympic list is announced in early January.
The NHL makes its Olympic return after omitting Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018 and Beijing in 2022.
Crosby scored the golden goal in extra time of Canada in Vancouver in the final of 2010 and captained the country to gold again in 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
“I was quite sure we would find a way to return and wanted to be part of that,” said the 38 -year -old man. “I guess I maintain the belief.
“It is a difficult sport and is competitive, so being part of this, grateful, but also I know how special is the opportunity and what it means, so knowing that it is motivating, it is very fun to be part.”
Young stars compensating for lost time
Reinhart, 29, and McDavid, 28, will be Olympic rookies. They were teenagers when Crosby scored in OT in Vancouver, which Reinhart says that he sent furniture flying during the celebration at his family’s house.
“There are many players, many high -end players who lost that opportunity, so you know you have to appreciate it,” Reinhart said.
“Someone like me is a moment at a perfect moment.”
Reinhart and McDavid know what the best international is best after winning the confrontation of the 4 nations of February with Canada. McDavid scored the OT winner in the final against the United States.
He wants to reach his maximum point for both the Olympic Games in February and for another NHL playoff race next spring after consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup final for the Oilers. The 4 nations were a clothing trial for that.
“It’s a bit similar to last year,” said McDavid. “I felt in the same way. Some of the boys are going through the dog days of the season, preparing for their vacation, and I felt a lot of wanting to start, and play in the right way, play a detailed game, a game of tight verification and make sure that I am ready to play at the highest level.”
The orientation camp does not include ice sessions, although women and players will remain in Calgary and climb to the ice after the NHL players leave.
The last NHL game before the Olympic break is February 5. Canada opens against Chechia on February 12.
“This is the only time we’ll be together before the Olympic Games,” said Salmond. “The preparation part is really important.”
Players have received an overview of the Olympic environment, including how the village and transport of athletes will be.
“We will probably review some things of the system here the next few days, so we will have a better idea of that,” said Crosby. “It is NHL’s ice surface, so I think, as for structures and things like that, it would be quite similar.
“But you look at the skill level, speed, it is a completely different level. If it is something like 4 nations, it will be fast.”
