With hockey set to return to the Olympics here are some former OHL players who have a chance to wear team Canada's jersey in 2026.
The Olympics are a demonstration of national pride, athletic prowess and showmanship. So far, the Paris Olympics have dazzled while reminding the world of its love for international competition.
With Olympic zeal at its highest and the much anticipated return of NHL players to the Olympic stage, the excitement over the 2026 Olympics is mounting. This is as true for the players as it is for the fans. Many young players, including Connor McDavid, have not had the opportunity to play for an Olympic team during their professional careers.
It is easy (and fun) to speculate about who will represent their team on the international stage. However, for the purpose of this article some standard will be needed. Back in February, Craig Button put forward a list of players that he thought would make up Canada's Olympic roster.
There are multiple former OHL stars on Button's list. However, before we get a look at them on the international stage it is always interesting to remember where they first cut their teeth.
Connor McDavid - Erie Otters
This will be McDavid's first opportunity to represent Canada at the Olympics. With three gold medals to his name (U-18 World Junior Championship, U-20 World Junior Championship and World Championship) the former Erie Otter has been incredibly successful in regard to international play. Barring injury McDavid feels like an easy pick to lead Canada in 2026.
During his OHL days, McDavid spent three seasons with the Erie Otters. He scored a total of 285 points in a mere 166 games. McDavid's individual accolades could fill the rest of this article. It's probably enough to say he is the best player in the world and leave it at that.
Carter Verhaeghe - Niagara Ice Dogs
With his name now etched onto the surface of the Stanley Cup, Carter Verhaeghe could be a contender to join Canada's 2026 roster. Certainly, his glow up since joining the Florida Panthers during the 2021-22 season suggests he has elite skill and work ethic.
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Verhaeghe spent four seasons in the OHL playing for the Niagara Ice Dogs. In his 262 games played in Niagara he scored 245 total points. In a pattern that repeated itself during his time in both the AHL and NHL Verhaghe's point production ramped sharply upwards after several years in the league.
Travis Konecny - Ottawa 67s/Sarnia Sting
By recently signing Konecny to an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.75 million, the Flyers invested in Konecny. According to Button, team Canada may choose to do the same for the 2026 Olympics. Though the Flyers have struggled over the past two years it has not stopped Konecny from putting up back-to-back 60-point seasons.
Konecny had an electric OHL career. He was named rookie of the year at the end of the 2013-14 season after scoring 70 points for Ottawa. He would captain the team for two more seasons before being moved to Sarnia in 2015-16. Over the course of 183 OHL games he scored 239 total points.
Quinton Byfield - Sudbury Wolves
After a breakout campaign in LA where Byfield scored 55 points in 80 games many people are high on the 21-year-old forward. With two more years to develop his game in the NHL, Byfield is a candidate to fill a big role as a part of Canada's forward group. He has the size, speed and skill to be a devastating part of Canada's 2026 Olympic team.
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Byfield spent two years in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves before moving up to play for the Ontario Reign in the AHL. He averaged 1.3 points per game (143 points in 109 OHL games) and was named CHL rookie of the year and OHL rookie of the year during the 2018-19 season.
Mitch Marner - London Knights
Though a segment of Leaf's Nation has been howling for Marner to be traded, he has had an incredibly successful NHL career and projects as a player who could be an important part of team Canada's depth. The elite right winger has scored more than a point per game over the past six seasons. He has great hockey senses and is one of the top playmakers in the league.
Over the course of three seasons in London, Marner was an offensive force, scoring 301 points in 184 games. During the 2015-16 season, he captained the Knights to an OHL Championship as well as a Memorial Cup. He was named the CHL Player of the Year as well as Memorial Cup MVP and OHL MVP.
Evan Bouchard - London Knights
Fresh off of a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, and an 82 point season Evan Bouchard is an offensive defenseman with room to continue growing. Depending on how the next two seasons go for Bouchard it is entirely possible he could play a larger role for Team Canada in 2026.
Bouchard spent four seasons in the OHL with London. He scored 201 points in 223 games and captained the team during the 2018-19 season. He was part of the 2015-16 team that won the OHL championship. He won the OHL Most Outstanding Defenseman award during his final season in London.
Jordan Binnington - Owen Sound Attack
The former Stanley Cup Champion took the NHL by storm during his rookie campaign in 2018-19 when he helped the Blues win the cup. Since then he has continued to put up respectable numbers at the NHL level. Because of his pedigree and recent play he will be on the short list to tend the goal for team Canada in 2026.
Binnington sent four seasons playing for the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL. In 157 games played he averaged a 2.90 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. He had a winning record of 86-51-14 over the course of his career. He won an OHL Championship with Owen sound in 2010 on his way to being named Memorial Cup Most Outstanding Goaltender. He was named OHL Goalie of the Year two seasons later in 2013.