Sidney Crosby is once again wearing the “C” for Canada - and really, was there ever any doubt?
Hockey Canada officially named Crosby captain of the men’s national team for the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan, marking another chapter in what's already been a legendary international career. He’ll be flanked by two of the NHL’s brightest stars, Connor McDavid and Cale Makar, who will serve as alternate captains. That trio doesn’t just bring star power - it brings leadership, experience, and a whole lot of Olympic pedigree.
For Crosby, this is familiar territory. He wore the “C” the last time NHL players hit Olympic ice back in 2014, leading Canada to gold in Sochi. But his Olympic legacy started even earlier - who could forget the golden goal in Vancouver in 2010, when he buried the overtime winner against the United States to deliver one of the most iconic moments in Canadian sports history?
“It is an honour to be named captain of Canada's men's hockey team, which has so many great players and leaders,” Crosby said. And that’s not just a soundbite - it’s a reflection of the respect he commands in every locker room he walks into.
Crosby’s international résumé is as complete as it gets. This will be his 11th time suiting up for Team Canada, spanning everything from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and World Juniors to the World Championships, Olympics, World Cup of Hockey, and most recently, the 4 Nations Face-Off. He captained that squad as well, leading Canada to an overtime win over the U.S. in the gold medal game.
Over those 10 previous appearances, Crosby has racked up 37 goals and 64 points in 66 games. That’s not just production - that’s consistency at the highest levels of the game, often against the best in the world, with gold medals on the line.
Now, he’s heading to Milan with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, and the leadership group reflects that blend. McDavid, arguably the most electrifying player in hockey today, will be getting his first Olympic shot after NHL players missed out in 2018 and 2022.
Makar, one of the most dynamic defensemen in the game, brings poise and elite two-way play to the blue line. Together, they form a leadership core that’s as talented as it is balanced.
The tournament officially gets underway Wednesday, with Canada opening its round-robin schedule Thursday against Czechia. They’ll follow that up with matchups against Switzerland on Friday and France on Sunday - three games in four days to set the tone for a medal run.
With Crosby leading the way, and McDavid and Makar right there beside him, Canada’s got its eyes on gold. Again. And with this leadership group, they’ve got every reason to believe.