Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini were just kids the last time NHL stars hit Olympic ice. Fast forward to today, and the pair of Canadian prodigies suddenly find themselves knocking on the door of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. What once felt like a distant dream is now a very real opportunity — not just to skate alongside legends, but to potentially carve out their own history with Team Canada.
No age barrier for Olympic hopefuls Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini
At Canada’s Olympic orientation camp in Calgary, general manager Doug Armstrong made one thing clear — age won’t decide who makes the final roster. “There is no age limit, or you don’t have to be a certain age to make this team,” Armstrong said. “If you’re good enough and you can help this team compete to win, then you’ll make this team.”
For Bedard, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, the spotlight is nothing new. His rookie season ended with the Calder Memorial Trophy after leading all first-year players with 22 goals and 61 points. Celebrini, who followed as the San Jose Sharks’ top pick in 2024, wasted no time proving himself either, tallying 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games. Though Montreal’s Lane Hutson edged him for rookie honours, Celebrini’s breakout left no doubts about his trajectory.
Neither youngster suited up for the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year, but being among 43 NHLers invited to camp is a statement in itself. Skating with veterans like Sidney Crosby, Drew Doughty, and John Tavares isn’t just about soaking in experience — it’s about proving they belong in the same conversation.