Defensemen:
- Matthew Schaefer
- Aaron Ekblad
- Jakob Chychrun
- Evan Bouchard
- Bowen Byram
- Darren Raddysh
- Noah Dobson
- Brandon Montour
What’s Happening: Matthew Schaefer, an 18-year-old rookie for the New York Islanders, showed grit after being overlooked by Team Canada. He scored two thrilling goals, including one in overtime against the Maple Leafs, leading to a 4-3 victory. Meanwhile, Darren Raddysh has made his mark, ranking third in defensemen goals with 12. Chychrun, at 27 years old, ties for the league lead with 15 goals. Other top contenders like Mike Matheson, Owen Power, and Darnell Nurse are also noteworthy.
Goalies:
- Scott Wedgewood
- Mackenzie Blackwood
- Jet Greaves
Update on Goalies: Scott Wedgewood recently vied for a spot on Team Canada but came up short to Darcy Kuemper. Together with Mackenzie Blackwood, they boast an impressive record of 31 wins, 3 losses, and 5 ties for the Colorado Avalanche. Jet Greaves, a rookie with the Blue Jackets, has a respectable 2.64 goals-against average and .910 save percentage, making him one of the standout stories this season.
Looking Ahead: Fast forward four years, and we could see a bright future for Team Canada. By then, Bedard will be 24, Macklin Celebrini 23, and Schaefer 22. These young stars could become the new faces of Canadian hockey, ready to carry the torch from legends like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.
Power Play Insights
Hockey involves one puck on the ice. This presents a challenge for Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. He’ll be leading Canada’s talented power play next month in Italy. At the recent 4 Nations Face-Off, the team had only four power-play chances, converting one into a spectacular goal thanks to Sidney Crosby’s playmaking. With Canada’s Olympic roster back in full force, this power play has immense potential. It includes NHL superstars like MacKinnon and McDavid, along with defense prodigy Cale Makar.
Notable is how communication unfolds. MacKinnon and McDavid typically occupy the same space in their NHL teams, but McDavid quickly suggested he’d adapt his position at the last tournament. This willingness to collaborate will be essential for capitalizing on fast break opportunities with the likes of McDavid and Makar.
Cassidy believes that his past experience with these players will allow the team to dive straight into strategies rather than wasting time on introductions. “The chemistry is there now,” he said, emphasizing the importance of understanding each player’s role on the power play as they prepare for critical moments in the Olympics.
Olympics Stock Watch
Mika Zibanejad, F, Sweden (New York Rangers)
What a way to celebrate being selected for your national team! Mika Zibanejad netted a hat trick during an outdoor game in Miami right after receiving the news. He scored three goals and added two assists—setting a record for the most points in an NHL outdoor game. Zibanejad called the day “a great 12-16 hours,” and it surely was a memorable mix of excitement and achievement.
With the Olympics around the corner, all eyes are on these rising stars and seasoned talents. The anticipation for an electrifying hockey tournament is building.
