Tom Wilson wasted no time making his presence felt in his Olympic debut for Team Canada, delivering exactly the kind of physical, two-way performance Capitals fans have come to expect. Lining up on Canada’s top line alongside phenom Macklin Celebrini and superstar Connor McDavid, Wilson brought the edge and energy that helped power Canada to a commanding 5-0 win over Czechia in Milan Cortina.
Wilson logged just over 16 minutes of ice time and finished with a plus-1 rating and a shot on goal. But as anyone who’s watched him play knows, Wilson’s impact isn’t always measured on the scoresheet. Olympic stat sheets may not track hits, but Wilson was dishing them out with authority-at least four by unofficial count-including a couple of statement checks on Radko Gudas and Filip Hronek that set the tone early.
Canada’s scoring came from all over the lineup, with Celebrini, Mark Stone, Bo Horvat, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nick Suzuki all lighting the lamp. But Wilson’s value showed up in the dirty work-backchecking hard, winning puck battles along the boards, and creating space for his high-skill linemates to operate. It’s the kind of role that doesn’t always get the headlines, but it’s critical in a tournament where every shift matters.
At 31, Wilson is coming off a career-best campaign-49 points in 50 games to open the 2025-26 season-and that evolution in his game helped him earn a spot on this loaded Canadian roster. And if Thursday’s performance is any indication, he’s not just along for the ride-he’s here to make a difference.
Wilson isn’t the only Capital making noise in Milan. Goaltender Logan Thompson backed up Jordan Binnington, who earned the shutout in net. Canada’s next test comes Friday against Switzerland.
Elsewhere around the Olympic ice, Martin Fehervary suited up for Slovakia and logged major minutes-second-most on the team-as part of the top defensive pairing in a 4-1 win over Finland. The 24-year-old blueliner continues to show he can handle big assignments on the international stage.
And in net for France, Capitals prospect Antoine Keller faced a barrage of shots in a tough 4-0 loss to Switzerland. The young netminder turned aside 39 of 43 for a .907 save percentage-no small feat considering the traffic he was under. It’s a valuable experience for one of Washington’s most intriguing goalie prospects, and a glimpse into what could be coming down the pipeline.
As the tournament rolls on, Team Canada looks like a squad with serious depth-and Wilson’s blend of toughness and smart two-way play is proving to be a perfect fit.