LAS VEGAS -- Three Golden Knights join coach Bruce Cassidy to represent the 2026 Canada Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
Hockey Canada announced Wednesday forwards Mitch Marner and Mark Stone and defenseman Shea Theodore have been named to Canada's team.
"Happy for those three guys," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "(Vegas goalie Adin) Hill, with his injury, wasn’t able to show what he could do, so that’s tough on him.
"But the other three guys, I’m sure they’ll be excited. When you ask them that you’re representing your country, I think that’s a great honor."
It’s the first time Marner, Stone and Theodore have been named to a roster for the Winter Olympics.
"I thought Mitch would be automatic, and I thought Mark would be automatic, personally," Cassidy added. "I think there were some people across the country in Canada, I don’t know how much the U.S. wrote about Canada’s roster about (Stone). I think the coaches all did."
Heading into Wednesday's matinee, Stone had 30 points (9 goals, 21 assists) in 21 games to go with a +8 rating on the ice. Stone's 1.43 points per game played ranks fifth in the NHL. Vegas' captain posted at least one point in each of his first 14 games played this season.
The Winnipeg native helped Canada win the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, playing in each of his country’s four games during the event. The 33-year-old scored a goal in Canada's tournament opener against Sweden and finished the tournament with a +1 rating.
Stone has also represented Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championship and the 2016 IIHF World Championship, where he earned a gold medal.
Theodore has registered 20 points (4 goals, 16 assists) in 31 games for the Knights this season, to go along with a +5 rating. His 20 points lead all Vegas defensemen.
A native of Aldergrove, British Columbia, the 30-year-old was also named to Canada’s roster for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and appeared in one game before fracturing his wrist at the tournament. Theodore has played for his country during other times of his career, including the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where Canada earned a silver medal in Slovakia.
"Shea, because he got hurt so early, I was a little concerned maybe they didn’t see him in that environment enough," Cassidy said. "I think everyone had him as a guy that was on the roster when we started talking about individuals. I was happy for Shea because he gave up his holiday break last year, stuck around the whole time because he wants to be a part of it. He deserves to be there."
In his first season with Vegas, Marner sits second on the team in scoring with 40 points (9 goals, 31 assists) in 37 games. Marner recently became the fastest player in franchise history (37 games) to hit the 40-point plateau as a member of the organization. The 28-year-old comes into Wednesday boasting a +9 rating, the best among the Golden Knights. The forward’s 31 assists also leads the team.
Marner, a native of Markham, Ontario, has represented his country at several international events, including the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, where he played in each of Canada's four games, collecting three points (1 goal, 2 assists). Marner scored the game-winning overtime goal over Sweden in Canada’s opening game and had the primary assist on the tournament-clinching goal in overtime against the United States.
PHOTO CAPTION: Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) warms up prior to the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden.
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