Sam Bennett Steps In To Anchor Team Canada At 2026 Olympics
Florida Panthers Sam Bennett will Anchor Team Canada once again in international hockey. The Tampa Bay Lightning took down Atlantic Division rivals Boston Bruins in the first ever stadium series in Tampa Bay on Sunday night but with that came hurtful news for Team Canada. The 2026 Winter Olympics are under way in the next few days and Tampa Bay’s centreman will not be participating in the Olympic tournament for Team Canada.
Anthony Cirelli left Sunday’s game after being hit by the Boston Bruins’ Mark Kastelic. Hockey Canada announced the change roughly 48 hours since Cirelli was injured in Tampa Bay’s outdoor Stadium Series game Sunday night against Boston.
Florida Panthers Sam Bennett to replace Anthony Cirelli
Sam Bennett the 2-time Stanley Cup Champion and MVP of the 2025 playoffs will replace centreman Anthony Cirelli for the 2026 Winter Olympics’ for Team Canada.
Sam Bennett also left Florida’s game Monday night because of an upper-body injury. He is considered day-to-day but should be good to go for Team Canadas first matchup that does not happen until February 12th against Czechia.
Sam Bennett The Hero in 4 Nations Tournament
In the 4 Nations Tournament last year , Sam Bennett played a key role in Team Canada’s victory over the United States. He had 1 goal in the three games played but it was the goal that was the deciding factor to win. Currently Bennett has recorded 19 goals, and 23 assists in 55 games for the Florida Panthers.
Due to his high level of talent and playing a key role in Canadas victory to win gold in the 4 Nations tournament, Canada will look forward to having him back in the lineup. Bennett will join teammates Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart in the tournament.
Team Canada vs USA
Team Canada and Team USA will not play each other in the group stages on the Winter Olympics. They will have to meet in the stages of the quarterfinal playoff matchups and deeper into the tournament.
Team USA will look to compete and find revenge against a very talented Team Canada team. The USA team will be led by the Tkachuk brothers who were the fire of team USA. When the Tkachuk brothers last played Canada the gloves dropped right after the opening faceoff in the 4 Nations tournament.
The 2026 Winter Olympics starts this Friday with the opening ceremonies. Between all the winter events that happen in the Winter games, men’s hockey will be very much anticipated for this year with the build up of rival countries.
Team Canada Outlook
The 2026 Winter Olympics marks the first time NHL players have participated in the Games since 2014. Bennett joins Panthers teammates Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart. On a roster led by Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. Team Canada does have the odds in winning the 2026 Winter Olympics by a +120 odds.
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Copper will lead the way for team Canada once again as he did in the 4 Nations tournament. Jon Copper and the Tampa Bay Lightning are on of the top teams in the Eastern Conference in the NHL this year. He will lead a very talented Canadian group to gold.
