Overview
- Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed Bennett as the official injury replacement for Anthony Cirelli.
- Cirelli was hurt on a hard center-ice hit from Boston’s Mark Kastelic in the Stadium Series and will miss the Games.
- Florida cleared Bennett after a brief upper-body issue, and he is expected to fill a defensive, bottom-six center role.
- Bennett brings recent pedigree with two Stanley Cups, the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy and experience at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
- Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Cirelli and Nick Paul will miss pre-break games, while Brayden Point’s Olympic status remains under evaluation with reported optimism he can play when the men’s tournament opens Feb. 11–12.