Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett has joined Team Canada’s roster for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, replacing Tampa Bay Lightning’s Anthony Cirelli, who withdrew due to injury. Bennett, who recently won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, was added to the team on February 3.
Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk commented on Bennett’s addition: “Definitely an upgrade for their team.” He noted both his support for his Florida teammate and made a remark about rivals Canada and Tampa Bay.
Nathan MacKinnon, center for Team Canada, highlighted the strength of Canada’s roster depth: “It just shows the depth. I’ve seen, like, second Canada teams, and they would be competitive here. A lot of depth, and obviously an honor to be on this team, and I’m sure that he’s excited as well.”
Bennett expressed his feelings about joining the Olympic squad after initially being left off: “It’s crazy swing of emotions for sure. Obviously it’s something that I’ve always dreamed about, and when my name was left off the first time, it was definitely difficult. But just tried to keep a positive mindset, and you never know what happens. And now I’m just so grateful that I got the opportunity to be here.”
Bennett previously played for Canada at last season’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. In the championship game in Boston on February 20, he scored a key goal to tie the United States 2-2 before Connor McDavid secured a Canadian victory in overtime.
Following his international performance, Bennett helped lead the Panthers to their second consecutive Stanley Cup win. He led all players with 15 goals during the playoffs—13 of which were scored on the road—and five goals in the final series.
Tkachuk praised Bennett’s playoff performances: “It just seems like, especially come playoff time, his game [reaches] another level. He skates so well. He’s super physical for not being the biggest guy (6-foot-1, 193 pounds). Really good in the trenches. Just speed, power and physicality. And [he puts] fear into the opposing team.”
Despite a slow start this NHL season with only five points in his first 18 games, Bennett improved significantly from November onward with 37 points in 39 games—second among Panthers players behind Sam Reinhart.
When Team Canada’s roster was announced at year-end without him included, Tkachuk said: “We were all shocked down in Florida… We just couldn’t believe it.”
Now part of Team Canada in Milan under coach Jon Cooper—the same coaching staff from last year’s 4 Nations tournament—Bennett says he feels comfortable adapting quickly: “It’s the same systems as 4 Nations,” he said. “So that part’s really easy to figure out pretty quickly.”
Bennett described enjoying experiences unique to competing at an Olympics: “It was awesome,” he said about meeting other athletes at Olympic Village. “It was really cool. It was great to just experience that…so it was really cool, and I’m glad we got to do that.”
Canada is set to play its opening preliminary round game against Team Czechia at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday morning local time.
Looking ahead to potential matchups—including against Team USA—Bennett reflected on discipline within international play: “It’s important that you don’t take penalties or stay in the box,” he said. “Obviously different rules here, and we understand that.”
As Team Canada prepares for competition with Bennett now included among its forwards, Tkachuk summed up expectations: Bennett “seems to continue to get better the bigger the stage.”
