In the small town of Elkhorn, Manitoba-population 455-you can bet the buzz is building. Come Thursday morning, around 10:40 a.m. Eastern, just about every eye in town will be locked on a screen, watching one of their own, Travis Sanheim, suit up for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
Sanheim, the longest-tenured defenseman on the Philadelphia Flyers, has earned a spot on Canada’s eight-man blue line. He’s listed as an extra for now, but don’t be surprised if he finds himself on the ice before long. With a tournament this intense, depth matters-and Sanheim brings plenty of it.
“It’s just exciting to be going there and experiencing everything with it,” Sanheim said. “Then just getting focused and ready to play.”
There’s a chance Sanheim could be staring down a familiar face in the crease-his Flyers teammate Dan Vladar, who’s one of three goaltenders on the Czechia roster. That potential head-to-head adds another layer of intrigue to what’s already shaping up to be a fast-paced, high-stakes tournament.
“I think it’s going to be high-end hockey, competitive, fast-paced,” Sanheim said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
This isn’t just another tournament for Sanheim-it’s the realization of a lifelong dream. Like so many Canadian kids, he grew up watching the Olympics, picturing himself one day wearing the maple leaf on hockey’s biggest international stage.
“You dream about it but I don’t know if it ever sets in that I would make it,” he said. “First, you’re trying to make the NHL, that’s your goal. Playing against the best of the best (in the Olympics), you never really thought about it too much but now that it’s here and you realize who you’re playing with and against, it’s really going to set in.”
Sanheim joins a stacked Canadian defensive corps that includes Drew Doughty (Los Angeles), Thomas Harley (Dallas), Cale Makar (Colorado), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Colton Parayko (St. Louis), Shea Theodore (Vegas), and Devon Toews (Colorado). It’s essentially the same group that represented Canada in the 4 Nations tournament last year, where Sanheim rotated in alongside Doughty, Parayko, and Toews.
He’s not focused on minutes or where he slots in. His mindset is simple: be ready when the team needs him.
“When I get there I’ll find out and it will be whatever the team needs,” he said.
The Olympic hockey action officially gets underway Wednesday, with Finland taking on Slovakia in the morning. Flyers fans will want to keep an eye on that one too-Rasmus Ristolainen, another Philly blueliner, will be suiting up for Finland.
Sanheim, who plays in all situations for the Flyers, knows his role might shift with Team Canada. But he’s confident in his ability to adapt.
“I feel comfortable I can step in at any spot,” he said.
Back in Elkhorn, there’s no official word on a watch party, but you can imagine the town will be dialed in. And while Sanheim is keeping his focus on the games ahead, he’ll have some familiar faces in the crowd-his wife, Alex, and other family members are making the trip to Italy.
“It’s something that not a lot of people get to do,” Sanheim said. “It’s special.
It’s like competing in the playoffs for a Stanley Cup. I just want to soak it in and do my best.”
Off the ice, Sanheim has been a vocal advocate for neck protection, and he’s glad to see neck guards becoming mandatory for these Olympics-a move that’s been welcomed by many players.
“I’m interested to see when guys come back (to the NHL), if they continue wearing it or not,” he said. “Maybe it will come down to comfort level.
The tournament is about 10 days. I’m sure the players will feel comfortable with it.”
If a few players return to the NHL with a new perspective on safety, that’s a win in itself.
But for Sanheim and his hometown, the ultimate prize would be gold. Bringing that medal back to Elkhorn? That would be something truly unforgettable.