Sidney Crosby Named Captain Canada Once Again for Milan Olympics
Sidney Crosby is putting the “C” back on his chest for Team Canada - and honestly, was there ever any doubt?
Hockey Canada announced Sunday that Crosby will once again serve as captain for the men’s national team at the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics. It marks the fourth straight best-on-best tournament where Crosby leads the way, and if history is any indication, that’s a good omen. Canada went three-for-three with him wearing the “C” at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and most recently, the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
This isn’t just about seniority or sentimentality. Crosby’s résumé in red and white is as decorated as it gets. He captained Canada to gold at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, and of course, was the alternate captain back in 2010 when he scored the Golden Goal in Vancouver - a moment etched into Canadian sports lore.
Joining Crosby in the leadership group are two of the NHL’s brightest stars: Connor McDavid and Cale Makar, who will serve as alternate captains. It’s the same trio that led the charge at last year’s 4 Nations tournament, and the continuity speaks volumes about the trust and chemistry within this core.
And even on a roster stacked with leadership - 13 players wear letters for their NHL clubs - there was no real debate about who gets the captaincy. This is Crosby’s team. Still.
“For our generation, and for him to still be here and being the captain and still playing a massive role, it’s special,” McDavid said during Canada’s Olympic orientation camp. “It’s special for all of us.”
Crosby isn’t just hanging around - he’s still producing at an elite level. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain is riding an unprecedented streak of 20 straight NHL seasons averaging at least a point per game. That kind of consistency is practically unheard of in today’s game.
And when it comes to international play, he’s still delivering. At the 4 Nations tournament, Crosby tied McDavid for the team lead in scoring with five points and posted a team-best plus-3 rating. That’s not just leadership by example - that’s top-line production from a player who’s been doing it for two decades.
He’s also the last man standing from Canada’s so-called golden generation - the group that dominated the 2005 World Juniors and went on to steamroll through international tournaments with a near-perfect record. With Crosby in the lineup, Canada boasts a staggering 54-8 record.
Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s senior VP of high performance and hockey operations, summed it up best: Crosby remains Canada’s not-so-secret weapon.
“It can’t be overstated,” Salmond said. “I saw it again at the 4 Nations - he has this incredible ability to bring people together.
There’s this belief within the team that they don’t want to let him down. These players have the weight of the nation on their shoulders, but they look at Sidney Crosby and they want to carry on that legacy.”
That legacy, built on clutch performances, steady leadership, and a relentless drive to win, still resonates across generations of Canadian hockey players. And in a global field that’s getting stronger every year, Crosby’s presence remains a massive advantage.
What he brings to Hockey Canada - the professionalism, the pride, the poise - is something you just can’t replicate. And as long as he’s lacing up the skates, Canada’s hopes will continue to ride with No. 87 leading the way.