Team Canada announced its full 25-man men’s hockey roster on Wednesday for the Winter Olympics in Milan, signaling the NHL’s long-awaited return to Olympic play. The list included plenty of star power and a few fresh faces. However, one choice immediately sparked debate around the hockey world.
The biggest surprise was the omission of Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett, a decision that left at least one former NHL player openly stunned.
Sam Bennett’s Team Canada Snub Raises Eyebrows
Team Canada shuffled its lineup with six changes from the team that won the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year. The updated roster brought in 19-year-old Sharks standout Macklin Celebrini, Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, Islanders forward Bo Horvat, and Capitals power forward Tom Wilson.
The goaltending group was also reworked, with Washington’s Logan Thompson and Los Angeles’ Darcy Kuemper joining Jordan Binnington, while Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault were left off.
But while fresh names were added, some familiar ones were left out. Bennett, along with Travis Konecny and Seth Jarvis, failed to make the Olympic cut, a move that didn’t sit well with TSN analyst and former NHL forward Jeff O’Neill.
Speaking on TSN, O’Neill didn’t hold back. He said, “No Sam Bennett, it’s a mistake. It’s somewhat shocking the way he performs in the playoffs, the way he performed at Four Nations. That guy, not just to be on the team, but to be a key contributor in all situations. I don’t understand that one.”
Bennett suited up for Canada at the 4 Nations tournament earlier this year. He sat out the opener as a healthy scratch. But he sparked the crowd at the Bell Centre by dropping the gloves with the USA’s Brady Tkachuk in his very first game. Then came up clutch with the tying goal in the gold-medal game to send it to overtime.
Back with Florida, Bennett has posted 29 points in 39 games this season and continues to be valued as a tough, playoff-built forward.
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Door Still Slightly Open For Bennett
Hockey Canada general manager Doug Armstrong confirmed that a standby list has been prepared in case injuries force roster changes ahead of the tournament. That leaves a narrow window open for Bennett if circumstances shift.
For now, however, his omission remains one of the most talked-about decisions from Team Canada’s roster reveal.
Team Canada will open its Olympic campaign on Feb. 12 against Czechia, but questions surrounding Bennett’s absence persist until then.
