Canada’s men’s hockey team is making a key roster adjustment ahead of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, turning to Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett to fill the void left by an injured Anthony Cirelli.
Cirelli, who had been penciled in for a bottom-six center role, went down with an injury during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s thrilling 6-5 Stadium Series win over the Boston Bruins on February 1. The hit came early in the first period, when Bruins forward Mark Kastelic caught him at center ice. Cirelli didn’t return, and now he won’t be suiting up for Team Canada in Milan.
Enter Bennett - a name that sparked plenty of debate when the original roster dropped. Many saw him as one of the more glaring omissions, especially after his strong showing at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
That tournament served as a proving ground for several players, and Bennett made the most of his opportunity. With his addition, 20 players from the 4 Nations roster are now part of the Olympic squad, a testament to how much that tournament factored into Canada’s selection process.
Bennett’s résumé speaks for itself. He’s coming off back-to-back Stanley Cup wins with the Panthers and took home the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2025, a nod to his impact on the biggest stage.
He’s no stranger to high-stakes hockey and brings a gritty, playoff-tested edge that fits right in with Canada’s identity. While he left Monday’s game against the Sabres with an upper-body injury, he’s been cleared to join the Olympic team.
Statistically, Bennett’s having a stronger season than Cirelli. Through 55 games in 2025-26, he’s posted 19 goals and 42 points - a solid clip for a player expected to anchor the bottom six.
Cirelli, in comparison, had 15 goals and 35 points in 49 games before the injury. Both play a responsible two-way game, but Bennett offers a bit more offensive upside, especially in transition and around the net.
General manager Doug Armstrong is getting another player with a winning pedigree. Between Bennett’s Cups and 4 Nations gold, and Cirelli’s own championship credentials under head coach Jon Cooper, the swap keeps Canada’s roster loaded with players who know how to win when it matters most.
Bennett, a native of East Gwillimbury, Ontario, also continues a trend - Ontario remains the most represented province on Canada’s Olympic team, now with 58 athletes across all sports. It’s a small detail, but one that speaks to the depth of talent coming out of that region.
While Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee haven’t officially confirmed the roster change, all signs point to Bennett stepping in. He becomes the second Canadian athlete originally named to the Olympic team to miss the Games due to injury, following snowboard cross athlete Tess Critchlow’s withdrawal earlier this week.
Canada’s men’s hockey team opens Olympic play on February 11 against Czechia. Before that, Olympic action gets underway Wednesday with mixed doubles curling, leading into Friday’s opening ceremony.