The Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, are several months away, but Hockey Canada is starting the process of picking its team. The orientation camp started today. One of the players who knows he will be on the team in February is Sidney Crosby. Crosby, along with Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brayden Point and Sam Reinhart, are the six players already named to the roster. Crosby spoke to the media today about one player in particular, San Jose Sharks’ forward Macklin Celebrini.
"He's an incredible player. His all-around game at his age is pretty impressive […] He's earned the right to be in the conversation."
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 27, 2025
Sidney Crosby on Macklin Celebrini's chance to make Canadian Olympic squad in 2026. pic.twitter.com/PNWFECkEQX
“Yeah, I think he’s an incredible player. Just his all-around game at his age is pretty impressive,” Crosby told the media earlier today. “He’s committed defensively, competes hard. He’s got a pretty mature game for his age. And I think having that experience at Worlds can only help. I’m sure he built confidence from that. I know, being on the ice with him, and then seeing him out there day to day and what he puts into it, I’m sure that’s something that’s made him a better player right away. As the year went on last year, he got better and better, and that will be a big building block. And he’s earned the right to be in the conversation.”
Crosby received an up close look at Celebrini’s game during the World Championship. Celebrini played on a line with Crosby and Travis Konecny, and the trio had chemistry. It was that quick chemistry and those positive words from Crosby that could help tip the scales in Celebrini’s favor if Team Canada is trying to make up its mind about which young player to take in February.
In the meantime, Celebrini seems to be soaking up any time he can get with the NHL’s biggest stars, including using his newfound kinship with Crosby. He and Will Smith also practiced a bit with Crosby and MacKinnon over the summer.
The Current Gen vs The Next Gen šæ
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) July 31, 2025
Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon take on Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith at summer training š
pic.twitter.com/i3JDk7QHTU
As for Team Canada, the final rosters aren’t expected until the end of December, but there will be plenty of speculation between now and then, especially when it comes to younger players like Celebrini, Connor Bedard and Quinton Byfield.
Celebrini was the only San Jose Shark invited to Team Canada’s orientation.
