Hockey fans are going to be in for a big treat this winter. Coming up in February will be the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy, which is awesome on its own. What really makes the upcoming Olympics special for hockey fans is that for the first time since 2014, NHL players will be participating in the hockey tournament. As the games get closer, we’ll get a better idea of how the rosters for each of the 12 participating nations will shake out. Back in June, each country announced the first six players to be added to their respective rosters, and there were a handful of Florida Panthers among them. They were Aleksander Barkov for Finland, Matthew Tkachuk for the United States, Sam Reinhart for Canada, Uvis Balinskis for Latvia and the now-former Panther Nico Sturm for Germany. On Friday, Team Canada released its full Olympic orientation camp roster, and several Panthers players were among the group. Heading to pre-Olympic gathering later this month will be Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Carter Verhaeghe. They’ll be among a roster that is seeping with superstars, as the Canadians will look to retain their spot atop the international hockey hierarchy after claiming the title at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. For the five Panthers players invited to Camp Canada, making the trip to Italy would be a bucket list-type of accomplishment. While each have represented Canada in different tournaments at varying levels, none of the five have ever suited up for their country at the Olympic games. Team Canada invited a total of 42 players to the orientation camp: 26 forwards, 13 defensemen and three goalies. At the Olympics, each team will carry 25 players on their roster, with the traditional breakdown usually consisting of 14 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders. The camp is set to take place in Calgary from August 26-28. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA The Hockey Show: Key Daneyko sees a lot of his Stanley Cup Devils teams in current Panthers squad [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-hockey-show-key-daneyko-sees-a-lot-of-his-stanley-cup-devils-teams-in-current-panthers-squad] Florida Panthers to unveil new scoreboard, additional upgrades installed at Amerant Bank Arena [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-to-unveil-new-scoreboard-additional-upgrades-installed-at-amerant-bank-arena] Brad Marchand joined by Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon for Stanley Cup day in Nova Scotia [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/brad-marchand-joined-by-sidney-crosby-nathan-mackinnon-for-stanley-cup-day-in-nova-scotia] Panthers' Sam Bennett Controversially Lands On Contracts List [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-sam-bennett-controversially-lands-on-contracts-list] Panthers forward Jonah Gadjovich brings Stanley Cup to hometown rink in Whitby, Ontario [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-forward-jonah-gadjovich-brings-stanley-cup-to-hometown-rink-in-whitby-ontario] Photo caption: Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) celebrates scoring against Team USA during the second period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. (Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
