As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, draw near, Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are poised to make headlines. McDavid has been named one of the alternate captains for Team Canada, alongside Sidney Crosby and Cale Makar. Draisaitl, on the other hand, had the honor of carrying the German flag during the opening ceremony, a testament to his significance for Team Germany.
The announcement of McDavid's role came as Hockey Canada named Sidney Crosby as the captain. McDavid will share alternate captain duties with Makar, mirroring the leadership arrangement from the previous year's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. McDavid skated on a line with Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson during Canada's first practice, also featuring on the top power-play unit. Canada is set to face Czechia in their opening game.
Draisaitl's selection as flag bearer for Germany underscores his importance to his national team. He was chosen via a vote by Team Deutschland. Draisaitl has represented Germany at multiple World Championships and helped them qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics, although NHL players didn't participate that year. Germany will begin their Olympic journey against Denmark.
The Olympics mark the return of NHL players to the Winter Games since 2014, adding extra excitement to the event. For players like McDavid, who has expressed a singular focus on winning, the Olympics represent a significant opportunity to achieve international success and solidify their legacy. The men's hockey tournament is scheduled to run from February 11 to February 22.
