One young star is shining bright for Team Canada at these Winter Olympics in the form of Macklin Celebrini.
They could’ve had two, except Connor Bedard was left at home.
The Chicago Blackhawks’ star center was in consideration for the roster, and in the end, many were surprised he didn’t make the cut.
But that’s the way the cookie crumbles, and Bedard can only root on his countrymates toward a gold medal from afar.
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Why isn’t Connor Bedard playing at the Olympics?
Bedard missed the team as Canada went for (mostly) a veteran roster.
Celebrini is the exception, not the rule. He’s been way too good in 2025-26 to have left him at home, and he has validated the decision at the Games.
Bedard, still just 20, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft after playing for the Regina Pats.
This season, he has played 44 games and has 23 goals with 30 assists for the Blackhawks.
It wasn’t a shoo-in to put Bedard on the team. He’s not necessarily made to be a bottom-six player, as he’s mostly an offensive-minded player at this point in his career.
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Nick Suzuki was one of the last few forwards to make the roster, and Canada liked his ability to play on the wing and contribute in a lot of different ways.
The most headline-grabbing snub was Sam Bennett from the Panthers, and he was chosen as an injury replacement after Anthony Cirelli had to be taken off the roster due to injury.
Bedard has plenty of time to make Olympic rosters.
This time around, he just missed the cut.
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