Sam Bennett Joins Team Canada After Injury Replacement, Panthers Sending 10 to Olympics
FORT LAUDERDALE - Sam Bennett is officially headed to Milan.
After initially being left off Team Canada’s Olympic roster, the Florida Panthers forward is getting his shot on the international stage. Bennett will replace the injured Anthony Cirelli, joining teammates Sam Reinhart and Brad Marchand on a Canadian squad with its eyes on gold.
It’s a well-earned call-up for Bennett, who didn’t hide his disappointment when the original roster dropped. “Obviously pretty disappointed,” he said at the time.
“I wish I could have proved that I could help that team win a Gold medal. … Obviously I did not do enough.
I try to look at what I am grateful for, and that was the opportunity I had last year. That was probably the proudest moment of my career, getting to put on that jersey.
I am forever going to be grateful for that opportunity.”
Now, he gets a second chance.
Bennett’s addition pushes the Panthers’ Olympic contingent to 10 players - a testament to the depth and talent Florida has built. Alongside Bennett, Reinhart, and Marchand, the Panthers will also be represented by Matthew Tkachuk (USA), Gus Forsling (Sweden), Anton Lundell (Finland), Eetu Luostarinen (Finland), Niko Mikkola (Finland), Uvis Balinskis (Latvia), and Sandis Vilmanis (Latvia).
Sasha Barkov (Finland) and Seth Jones (USA) were both selected but will miss the Games due to injury.
As for Bennett’s health, he left Monday’s game against the Sabres with an upper-body injury, but early signs point to it being minor. Head coach Paul Maurice said Tuesday that Bennett could be back in the lineup as soon as Wednesday, when the Panthers host the Boston Bruins.
What’s Next: Panthers vs. Bruins, Round 2
The Panthers and Bruins are no strangers to high-stakes matchups, and Wednesday night’s tilt in Sunrise should bring more of the same. Florida took the first meeting of the season back in October, edging Boston 4-3 on the road. Now the Bruins come to Amerant Bank Arena looking to even the series.
Puck drops at 7 p.m. ET, with national coverage on TNT and streaming on HBO Max. Fans can also catch the action on local radio and SiriusXM.
Panthers’ Olympic Presence Underscores Roster Strength
With 10 players heading to Milan, the Panthers are tied for the most Olympic representatives of any NHL team. That kind of international recognition doesn’t just happen by accident - it’s a reflection of how well this roster has been constructed and developed.
From veterans like Marchand to rising stars like Lundell and Luostarinen, Florida’s locker room is loaded with players capable of making an impact on the world stage. And now, Bennett gets to join that group - a late addition, but one who brings grit, experience, and a chip on his shoulder.
Before he dons the red and white for Canada, though, there’s still business to take care of in South Florida. The Bruins are coming to town, and the Panthers - currently holding the edge in the season series - will look to keep the momentum rolling before heading to Tampa for a Thursday night showdown with the Lightning.
Olympic dreams are great. But right now, the focus is on two critical games that could shape the Panthers’ playoff positioning.