Canada ices its roster for the first best-on-best tournament since 2016

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be well-represented on Team Canada at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, as forwards Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, and Brandon Hagel were among the 17 players named to the roster. The announcement, made on Wednesday, highlighted the star-studded lineup that will compete in this international best-on-best tournament. Lightning coach Jon Cooper will also serve as the head coach for Team Canada, adding another layer of familiarity for the Tampa Bay trio.

The 4 Nations Face-Off, featuring teams comprised entirely of NHL players, will see Canada face off against Finland, Sweden, and the United States. Scheduled to run from February 12-20, the tournament will have its opening games at the Bell Centre in Montreal from February 12-15, before moving to TD Garden in Boston from February 17-20. The event promises to be a showcase of elite hockey talent, with rosters packed with some of the NHL’s biggest names.

Point, Cirelli, and Hagel will join an exceptionally talented group of Canadian forwards that includes superstars Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers, and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. The lineup also features three Nova Scotia natives: Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and MacKinnon. The combination of skill, experience, and chemistry among these players makes Canada a formidable contender in the tournament.

The initial core of Team Canada’s roster was announced in June, consisting of McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Marchand, Point, and defenseman Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche. Since then, additional names have been added to the list, including Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett, Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis, Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, and Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone.

Makar, one of the most dynamic defensemen in the NHL, will lead Canada’s blue line. He will be joined by his Avalanche teammate Devon Toews, as well as Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets, Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore of the Golden Knights, Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues, and Travis Sanheim of the Flyers. This defensive group combines offensive capabilities with shutdown defense, providing Canada with depth and versatility on the back end.

Travis Konecny, who earned his spot on the roster, expressed surprise and excitement at being selected. “I was very caught off guard,” Konecny admitted. “There had been some speculation, but I didn’t pay much attention because I didn’t think I had much of a chance. For me and ‘Sanny’ [Travis Sanheim] to both make it, it’s such an awesome experience that we get to share. Playing for your country is always special, and it’s something you never take for granted.”

In goal, Team Canada will rely on a trio of talented netminders. Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens, and Adin Hill of the Golden Knights were named as the team’s goaltenders. With Montembeault as the sole selection from the Canadiens, Canada’s goaltending group reflects a mix of experience and recent playoff success, particularly from Hill, who played a key role in the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship run.

Team Sweden, Team Finland, and Team USA also revealed their rosters on Wednesday, setting the stage for intense competition. Each team will feature a 23-man roster composed of 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goaltenders. For Canada, the tournament kicks off with a matchup against Sweden on February 12 at Montreal’s Bell Centre. The game, set to begin at 8 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on TNT, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports, providing fans with a chance to see some of the NHL’s best players compete for national pride.

The full Team Canada roster is as follows, listed alphabetically by position. Players marked with an asterisk were part of the initial announcement in June:

Forwards (13)

Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers

Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins*

Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning

Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes

Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers

Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche*

Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins*

Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers*

Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning*

Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers

Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights

Defensemen (7)

Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche*

Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets

Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues

Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas Golden Knights

Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers

Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights

Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche

Goalies (3)

Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues

Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights

Sam Montembeault, Montreal Canadiens

With a lineup brimming with talent and experience, Canada enters the 4 Nations Face-Off as one of the clear favorites. The tournament provides a rare opportunity for fans to witness the best hockey players from around the world competing on a single stage. As excitement builds for February, the Canadian roster stands as a testament to the country’s hockey depth and its reputation as a perennial powerhouse on the international stage.

MS