Milan, Italy - Veteran forward Sidney Crosby has been selected as the captain of Canada's men's Olympic hockey team for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The announcement, made on Sunday morning, positions Crosby to lead a roster that includes numerous NHL talents. Connor McDavid and Cale Makar have been appointed as alternate captains, forming the core of the team's leadership group. This marks Crosby's second time captaining the Canadian Olympic team, having previously held the role during the 2014 Sochi Games, where Canada secured a gold medal.
Leadership Revealed for Team Canada
The selection of Crosby as captain brings a wealth of experience to the Canadian squad. At 38 years old, he is currently in his 21st NHL season, demonstrating continued high-level performance with 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 56 games as of the latest reports. He has been a constant presence for the Pittsburgh Penguins, captaining them to three Stanley Cups.
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The team's leadership council will be rounded out by alternate captains McDavid and Makar. This duo also served in similar leadership capacities during the 4 Nations tournament held in February of the previous year. For McDavid and Makar, this will be their first Olympic Games.
Historical Context and Prior Olympic Success
Crosby's involvement in the Olympics is not new. He was a member of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games, famously scoring the overtime goal that secured the championship. He also captained Canada to gold in 2014. His Olympic career includes a total of 13 games played, with 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists). He represented Canada as an alternate captain in 2010 and as captain in 2014.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 6-22, 2026. Canada is placed in Group A for the preliminary round, facing Czechia on February 12, followed by matches against Switzerland on February 13, and France on February 15.
Player Perspectives on Leadership
The decision to appoint Crosby as captain has been met with approval from his teammates. Connor McDavid highlighted Crosby's significance, stating, "What Sid means to me, I think that’s been well-documented… For our generation, and for him to still be here and being the captain and still playing a massive role, it’s special. It’s special for all of us." Other players, such as Sam Reinhart and Seth Jarvis, have also commented on Crosby's character and leadership style, noting his ability to make teammates feel comfortable and his genuine demeanor.
Player Roles and Experience Levels
| Player | Role | Previous Olympic Appearances | Captaincy Experience (Olympics) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | Captain | 2 (2010, 2014) | Yes (2014), Alternate (2010) |
| Connor McDavid | Alternate Captain | No | |
| Cale Makar | Alternate Captain | No |
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Note: McDavid and Makar are making their Olympic debuts.
A Legacy of Achievement
Sidney Crosby is widely recognized as a significant figure in Canadian hockey history. His performances in past international tournaments, including the 2005 World Juniors and multiple major championships where Canada maintained a dominant record, underscore his impact. The upcoming Games are anticipated by some to be his final Olympic appearance, further emphasizing the importance of his leadership role.
Sources Used
The New York Times (The Athletic): Published 25 minutes ago. Provides details on the captain and alternate captains, including McDavid's quote.🔗 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6943623/2026/02/08/sidney-crosby-canada-captain-olympics/
Sportsnet: Published 15 hours ago. Confirms the captain and alternate captains and notes Crosby's current NHL season statistics and career with the Penguins.🔗 https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/article/team-canada-names-sidney-crosby-as-captain-for-olympics/
Olympics.ca: Published 15 hours ago. Official announcement of Crosby as captain, with McDavid and Makar as alternates, and details of the tournament schedule.🔗 https://olympic.ca/press/sidney-crosby-to-captain-team-canadas-mens-hockey-team-at-milano-cortina-2026/
TSN: Published 26 minutes ago. Reports on Crosby as captain and McDavid and Makar as alternates, also mentioning the first game against Czechia.🔗 https://www.tsn.ca/olympics/article/crosby-named-captain-of-team-canada-mcdavid-makar-as-alternates
NHL.com (Pittsburgh Penguins): Published Jun 16, 2025. Details Crosby's previous Olympic appearances, gold medals, and his role as alternate captain in 2010 and captain in 2014.🔗 https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/sidney-crosby-named-to-canada-s-2026-olympic-team
Daily Faceoff: Published 3 minutes ago. Confirms Crosby as captain and mentions his captaincy at the 4 Nations Face-Off event.🔗 https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/sidney-crosby-named-captain-canada-mens-olympic-hockey-team
The Hockey News: Published 15 hours ago. States Crosby is captain for the second time at the Olympics, with McDavid and Makar as alternates, and mentions their Olympic debuts.🔗 https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/team-canada-selects-sidney-crosby-as-captain-at-the-olympics-for-the-second-time
Globalnews.ca: Published 15 hours ago. Reports Crosby's selection as captain, his NHL season stats, and his past Olympic gold medal achievements.🔗 https://globalnews.ca/news/11658259/crosby-named-canada-mens-hockey-captain/
CityNews Toronto: Published 15 hours ago. Confirms Crosby as captain for the second time, with Makar and McDavid as assistant captains, referencing his 2014 captaincy and gold medal.🔗 https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/02/08/sidney-crosby-named-captain-of-mens-olympic-hockey-team/
Olympics.com: Published 1 day ago. Focuses on Crosby's legacy and leadership, including quotes from teammates, and anticipates this may be his final Games.🔗 https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/winter-olympics-2026-sidney-crosby-legacy-leadership
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