Connor McDavid Anchors Top Line as Team Canada Hits the Ice Ahead of Olympic Opener
The first glimpse of Canada’s Olympic lineup is here, and all eyes are naturally on Connor McDavid - the face of a generation, finally getting his shot on the sport’s biggest international stage.
During Team Canada’s first on-ice session, McDavid was at the center of the top line, flanked by 18-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini on the left and power forward Tom Wilson on the right. It’s an intriguing trio that blends elite speed and vision (McDavid), youthful creativity and high-end skill (Celebrini), and a heavy, physical edge (Wilson). It’s early, but there’s potential for real chemistry here - especially with McDavid driving the pace.
On the power play, Canada’s top unit reads like an All-Star fantasy lineup: McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart, and Cale Makar. That’s a murderers’ row of hockey IQ, firepower, and puck movement. If this group gets clicking, it could be nearly impossible to contain with the man advantage.
Before hitting the ice, McDavid shared a few light-hearted moments about the long travel day, joking about taking melatonin to battle jet lag. But make no mistake - he’s locked in.
“It’s been great. It’s been really cool here, and just getting to the Village for the first time,” McDavid said.
“It’s really cool just to be around all the athletes. It’s special to be here.”
There’s a sense of gravity in his words - this isn’t just another tournament. For McDavid, it’s a long-awaited opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf on Olympic ice, something he’s been vocal about wanting for years.
“Just being here, seeing all the athletes come through, the team is altogether now. It definitely feels more real,” he added.
McDavid will wear an ‘A’ as one of Canada’s assistant captains, alongside Cale Makar. Sidney Crosby - the elder statesman of the group and a two-time Olympic gold medalist - will serve as captain. That leadership group blends generational excellence with big-game experience, and it’s hard to imagine a more complete trio to guide this roster.
Canada’s preliminary group includes Czechia, Switzerland, and France. The schedule kicks off Thursday morning against Czechia, followed by games against Switzerland on Friday and France on Sunday. It’s a manageable group on paper, but nothing can be taken for granted at this level.
McDavid has been open about how much this moment means to him. In a recent Player’s Tribune piece, he reflected on the emotional weight of representing Canada and the hunger to win again on the international stage.
“That’s what was so incredible about the 4 Nations last year,” he wrote. “When I pulled on my jersey for the final against the U.S., I remembered that it had been eight years since that World Championship gold medal in Moscow.
That was the last time I celebrated winning something. Eight years.”
He continued: “That game against the U.S. in Boston last year … it meant so many different things to me. Representing Canada means everything to me.”
That sense of pride runs deep for many players on this roster, but for McDavid - who’s been kept from Olympic play due to NHL participation restrictions in previous years - this is more than just a tournament. It’s a missing chapter in a legacy that’s already one of the most electrifying in hockey history.
Here’s how the rest of Team Canada’s lines shaped up during early line rushes:
Forward Lines:
- Celebrini - McDavid - Wilson
- Suzuki - MacKinnon - Marchand
- Stone - Crosby - Marner
- Hagel - Horvat - Reinhart
- Bennett - Jarvis
Defensive Pairings:
- Toews - Makar
- Morrissey - Parayko
- Doughty - Harley
- Theodore - Sanheim
It’s a deep, well-balanced group that mixes youth and experience, grit and finesse. From the top line to the fourth, and throughout the defensive corps, there’s no shortage of skill or hockey IQ. And with McDavid finally at the Olympic helm, Canada’s quest for gold has a new kind of firepower leading the charge.