McDavid finally realizes Olympic moment for Canada: 'It's a bolt of energy that goes through you'
It’s been 12 long years since NHL players last played at the Olympics, and there was clearly a burning desire by them to represent their countries.
None more than Connor McDavid, who would have played at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments had NHL players participated.
Instead, this is his first chance to play on the biggest stage.
It wasn’t hard to tell he was excited.
On McDavid’s very first shift of Canada’s opening game against Czechia, he threw a thundering hit.
McDavid with an absolutely massive hit to start the game off pic.twitter.com/2MCsAX2s6P
— Dyl (@dhockey13) February 12, 2026
Asked about it post-game, McDavid confirmed — yeah, he’s pumped to play at the Olympics.
“When guys pull their country’s jersey on, it’s a bolt of energy that goes through you,” McDavid told reporters post-game.
“Just trying to contribute any way I can, and we want to be a hard forechecking team. It’s my chance to contribute to that.”
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You can tell just how much this means to him, perhaps more than anyone else.
“It’s been a long time coming, and it’s special to be here. It’s special to be part of this group. I’m just proud to represent our country.”
Of course, McDavid did far more than deliver body checks against the Czechs. He finished the game with three assists and six shots on goal in 18:04 of ice time.
Meanwhile, Canada’s head coach, Jon Cooper, was quite pleased with his whole group. How could he not?
Jordan Binnington, who was a controversial choice as starting goalie for some given the way his NHL season has gone, pitched a 26-save shutout. He got goals from a member of all four of his lines.
And they secured a dominant 5-0 win in what is expected to be their toughest test of the round robin. Canada plays Switzerland on Friday and France on Sunday, before the knockout round begins.
“It just shows you, when you put this jersey on, there’s nobody in that room that’s entitled or anything like that. This is game on,” Cooper told reporters. “They do everything possible to win, and if your contribution is hitting, then that’s what guys will do, even if that’s not what they’re used to doing in the NHL. And that’s what’s great about this group.”
“It’s a passion with these guys… We’re paid by our home clubs and stuff like that, and there’s a lot of pride in that, but nothing like I’ve ever seen when they put the maple leaf on.”
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