Team Canada announced its orientation camp for the 2026 Olympic tournament set to take place next February. Among the high-profile names were Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.
42 total players were invited to the camp from August 26 to 28 in Calgary. All 24 members from the 4 Nations Face-Off club were invited, along with 18 other hopefuls.
MacKinnon and Makar are locks to make the Team Canada squad as they were among the first six players named to the Canadian squad. MacKinnon was the 4 Nations Face-Off MVP, while Makar is the reigning Norris Trophy winner.
Both Avalanche stars should play prominent roles in the Canadian squad. MacKinnon should continue to wear a letter on his sweater, while Makar could be a candidate to wear a letter as well.
The 206 Milano-Cortina Games will feature the first time MacKinnon and Makar represent Canada at the Olympics. Of the first six names on Canada’s preliminary roster, only Sidney Crosby has previous Olympic experience.
Devon Toews also invited to Team Canada orientation camp
The Team Canada squad would not be complete without Cale Makar’s defense partner, Devon Toews. Toews was part of the Canadian squad at the 4 Nations and ran alongside Makar. The duo played an impressive role, shutting down opposition while generating offense.
Toews, like Makar, will be a first-time Olympian. The experience promises to be a fruitful one for the three Colorado Avalanche stars wearing the red maple leaf.
As for the outcome, the hope is that MacKinnon, Makar, and Toews can guide Canada to a gold medal. However, other strong teams like the United States, Finland, and Sweden will have something to say about it.
It’s worth pointing out that the Avalanche will have representatives on other clubs. Gabriel Landeskog has been named to Team Sweden’s preliminary roster, while Artturi Lehkonen could return to the Finnish squad.
Final rosters are expected to be announced at some point in January 2026.