An Olympic audition: 5 things to know about Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster
Alex Pietrangelo vividly remembers the first time he watched Sidney Crosby up close at practice. It was a surreal experience for the Vegas Golden Knights defenceman, who had battled against Crosby on the ice but had never seen him in action during practice. Pietrangelo teamed up with Crosby to win an Olympic gold medal in 2014 and a World Cup of Hockey title in 2016. But now, he was about to share the ice with both Crosby and Connor McDavid, two “generational talents” who make the game better.
The opportunity to play alongside Crosby and McDavid came as Team Canada prepared for the 4 Nations Face-Off, a new NHL-hosted tournament that serves as a key measuring stick ahead of NHL players’ return to the 2026 Olympics in Italy. Pietrangelo expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing with two of the best players in the world, stating that it would be a “pretty fun thing to watch.”
As one of only two holdovers from Canada’s gold-medal winning 2014 Olympic team, Pietrangelo and Crosby represent the country’s past success. Joining them on the team are players like McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, who have been Canada’s present for a while but have not had the opportunity to compete in the Olympics. The tournament, which also includes Sweden and Finland, promises tough competition with top players like Aleksander Barkov, Elias Pettersson, and Auston Matthews.
The American team, led by goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and featuring stars like Auston Matthews and the Tkachuk brothers, is considered the team to beat. With a roster filled with talent and familiarity among players, the Americans present a formidable challenge to Canada and the other competing nations.
While the 4 Nations Face-Off is not explicitly an Olympic audition, it serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills and make a case for future Olympic selection. The tournament provides a glimpse of what fans can expect at the Olympics, with NHL players returning to best-on-best competition after nearly a decade.
Despite the absence of young phenom Connor Bedard from the Canadian roster, the management group is keeping an eye on him and other promising players for future international tournaments. The team’s goaltending situation may be a question mark, but with experienced players and strong leadership in the locker room, Canada is poised to make a strong showing at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
As the tournament approaches, the excitement is building among players and fans alike. With a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, Team Canada is ready to compete against the best in the world and showcase the talent and skill that make hockey such a thrilling and dynamic sport.
