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Cooper Says Canada Faces 'Excruciatingly Tough' Calls as Olympic Roster Deadline Nears

Breakout scoring from Macklin Celebrini alongside Connor Bedard is reshaping Canada's selection calculus.

Overview

  • With the Dec. 31, 2025 deadline approaching, Hockey Canada has less than a month to lock in its men's roster for Milan-Cortina.
  • Cooper highlighted the teenage duo after Celebrini ranked second in NHL points at 43 and Bedard fourth at 40 entering Monday night's games.
  • A veteran core is already in place with Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, Sam Reinhart and Brayden Point named to the team.
  • The coach referenced extensive ongoing scouting, calling this "crunch time" for evaluations after building continuity at the 4 Nations Face-Off win in February.
  • The NHL and its players are set to return to the Olympic tournament in 2026 following a 12-year absence.