Brad Marchand said playing in the Olympics for Team Canada is a 'huge goal.'
Brad Marchand said playing in the Olympics for Team Canada is a 'huge goal.'
The National Hockey League announced Friday that the league’s players will return to the Winter Olympics in Milan in 2026.
The NHL last participated in the Olympics in 2014, holding its athletes out of the 2018 and 2022 games due to COVID-19 and financial concerns.
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand was especially vocal with his frustration about the decision in 2021. The now 35-year-old was poised to represent Team Canada for the first time on the Olympic stage before the plug was pulled.
Now, he may get the chance.
“It was really disappointing that the guys got robbed of the last couple of Olympics. I think it’s a great opportunity for the players – it’s a very unique opportunity for the guys,” Marchand said Sunday following Bruins practice.
The NHL and commissioner Gary Bettman have made best-on-best competition a priority for the coming years. The 2024-25 season will not have an All-Star game, instead, the league will put on the ‘4 Nations Face-Off.’ Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States will compete in the tournament, which is set to be hosted in one Canadian and one U.S. city from Feb. 12-20.
The 2025-26 season will have an All-Star game as an Olympic send off for the players who end up securing a spot in the Milan games.
“I think [the players] also earned the right. They’ve put themselves in the position to be the best in the world at what they do,” Marchand said.
While Marchand will be 37 years old by the next Winter Olympics, the world-class winger is determined to make a push to represent Canada on what will be a stacked roster.
“It’s definitely a huge goal,” Marchand said. “I’m going to do everything I can to be there and make sure I’m in the best possible shape, and best possible position to try to be on that team.”
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