Team Canada's blueline gets a major boost as injured defenceman Josh Morrissey hits the ice, offering a promising sign for his tournament status.
Sunday morning offered a glimmer of good news for both the Winnipeg Jets and the Canadian National Men's Team.
Prior to Canada's preliminary round test with France, injured defenceman Josh Morrissey took to the ice and skated - for what most believe was the first time since leaving Canada's opening game with an undisclosed injury.
Photo by David Kirouac/USA Today “You will not see him next game," Canadian head coach Jon Cooper said following Canada's second game. "But by no means is he out for the tournament.”
That sentiment rang true, as Morrissey took to the ice to test out his wheels. A video from TSN's Ryan Rishaug showed Morrissey skating with little issue early on Sunday.
As Rishaug points out, it is, indeed, a good sign for Morrissey that he is able to skate - and do so rather fluently with the preliminary round coming to a close following Canada's game on Sunday (first place in each group receives a bye to the semi-final round).
The 2026 Winter Games are Morrissey's first Olympics, and his second time playing for Canada on the grandest of stages. However, he missed the gold medal game for the 4 Nations Face-Off last year as he was violently ill and remained in his hotel room, away from the team and its gold medal winning celebration.
A return to Team Canada would be a huge step for Morrissey, who many originally feared would be done for the tournament - or worse - following his opening game injury.