Team Canada shows off first look at Olympic lines
Team Canada’s men’s Olympic hockey team is just days away from playing its first game, and we finally have an idea of what the lines could look like.
Canada hosted their first official practice of the Olympics on Sunday in Milan, giving head coach Jon Cooper his first look at the full roster. Hockey fans have been anxiously awaiting how the Canadians will line up their forward and defensive groups, and a full set of line rushes was included in the practice.
According to Daily Hive’s Rob Williams, Canada’s first line saw Connor McDavid pivot Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson.
Nathan MacKinnon was slotted in as the second-line centreman, with Brad Marchand and Nick Suzuki on his flanks. Captain Sidney Crosby was holding down the fort on the third line next to Mark Stone and Mitch Marner, while Bo Horvat rounded out things on the fourth line with Brandon Hagel and Sam Reinhart.
On the defensive side, it was Colorado Avalanche teammates Cale Makar and Devon Toews forming Canada’s top pair. Josh Morrissey lined up next to Colton Parayko on the second pair, while Shea Theodore and Travis Sanheim rounded out the third pair.
Thomas Harley and Drew Doughty skated as the extra defencemen. There were no hints from practice on who Canada’s starting goalie would be between Darcy Kuemper, Jordan Binnington, and Logan Thompson.
All in all, Canada’s lines looked like this at the skate:
Celebrini – McDavid – Wilson
Marchand – MacKinnon – Suzuki
Stone – Crosby – Marner
Hagel – Horvat – Reinhart
Toews – Makar
Morrissey – Parayko
Theodore – Sanheim
Harley – Doughty
Canada is looking to capture their first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 2014, which was also the last time NHL players competed.
The Canadians will open up their tournament on Thursday against Czechia.