Sidney Crosby is reprising his role as Captain Canada after being selected to wear the “C” at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
It’s the fourth straight best-on-best men’s tournament at which Crosby has captained Team Canada, and they’ve won the previous three: the 2014 Sochi Olympics, 2016 World Cup of Hockey and 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Crosby also captained Canada to gold at the 2015 IIHF World Hockey Championship and was an alternate captain for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where he scored the Golden Goal.
In Milan, Connor McDavid and Cale Makar will serve as alternate captains to round out the leadership group — just as they did during last February’s 4 Nations tournament.
Even on a roster that features 13 players who wear letters with their NHL teams, there was no debate about who would get the “C.” Canada made the announcement on Sunday morning.
“What Sid means to me, I think that’s been well-documented,” McDavid said during Canada’s Olympic orientation camp. “For our generation, and for him to still be here and being the captain and still playing a massive role, it’s special. It’s special for all of us.”
Not only is the Pittsburgh Penguins captain riding a record-setting run of 20 consecutive NHL seasons with at least a point per game, but Crosby also tied McDavid for Team Canada’s scoring lead at the 4 Nations tournament with five points while also producing a team-best plus-3 rating.
He’s the last player remaining from Canada’s golden generation, which won the 2005 World Juniors in dominant fashion before running through a series of major tournaments with nary a loss.
With Crosby in uniform, Canada has a 54-8 record.
Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, said this summer that Crosby is the one remaining advantage the country still holds over a list of improving international competition.
“It can’t be overstated, and I saw it again at the 4 Nations, (Crosby) has this incredible ability to bring people together,” Salmond said. “I believe that there’s this belief within the team and the players 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 he’s created. You can never underestimate it.
“I think what he brings to Hockey Canada, the way he carries himself, the way he represents Canada, is incredible.
“And it’s a huge advantage for us, no question.”
Team Canada opens the Olympic tournament with a game against Czechia on Thursday.