Nathan MacKinnon isn’t sightseeing in Milan. He’s chasing gold.
The Colorado Avalanche star is suiting up for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics, and if you’re wondering whether he’s soaking in the Olympic atmosphere, the answer is a hard no. MacKinnon’s not there for the spectacle - he’s there to compete. And he’s making that crystal clear.
When asked if he’s trying to “take it all in,” MacKinnon didn’t hesitate: “No.”
He expanded on that thought with the kind of intensity that’s defined his career.
“I want to enjoy myself, but I’m not here to enjoy myself,” MacKinnon said. “I’m going to do everything I can to play well, and hopefully it’s enough and hopefully I can contribute.”
That mindset is exactly what you’d expect from one of the most driven players in hockey. MacKinnon’s not just skating in the Olympics - he’s showing up as one of the best on the planet, and he’s treating this tournament like a job that needs to be done.
No distractions. No detours.
Just business.
He’s already made an impact on the ice. In the 4 Nations Faceoff leading up to the Olympics, MacKinnon found the back of the net four times in four games.
And his production with Colorado this season has been nothing short of elite - 40 goals and 53 assists through 55 games. That’s MVP-caliber stuff, and now he’s bringing that firepower to a Canadian squad with gold medal expectations.
There’s plenty to experience at the Olympics - the culture, the camaraderie, the pageantry - but MacKinnon’s not interested in the extras. Not when there’s a gold medal on the line.
Canada enters the tournament as the favorite, with the United States looming as their biggest threat. And for MacKinnon, anything less than gold would be a disappointment.
He’s not going to let that happen because of a lack of focus.
This is a business trip. And Nathan MacKinnon came to work.