Connor McDavid Soaks In Winter Olympics Atmosphere Ahead of Team Canada’ Showdown Vs. Team Czechia

Connor McDavid is starting to feel it now. Standing just outside the athletes’ village in Milano, the Team Canada superstar finally had a moment to take everything in ahead of his first-ever Olympic Games.

With Canada set to open the tournament on February 12, 2026, against Team Czechia, the stage is officially set, and the reality of the moment is sinking in.

Connor McDavid Embraces the Olympic Experience

TSN’s Ryan Rishaug caught up briefly with McDavid as players continued to arrive in the village, and the Oilers captain didn’t hide how special the experience already feels. “It’s been great,” McDavid said. “Really cool here, just getting to the village for the first time, really cool just to see it, be around all the athletes, that’s special to be here.”

On X, Rishaug wrote as a caption, “Brief chat with McDavid just outside the athletes village. He was getting checked in with his group so had to keep it quick! Canada has a practice scheduled for later this evening.”

Brief chat with McDavid just outside the athletes village. He was getting checked in with his group so had to keep it quick! Canada has a practice scheduled for later this evening. pic.twitter.com/AUS6Ne5rnE

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 8, 2026

McDavid arrived a little early to adjust to the time change, though he joked there’s no secret formula to beating jet lag. “No secret formula,” he said with a smile. “Enough melatonin will get you down… but not doing well. I’m just happy to be here and get going.”

As more teams and athletes filled the village, the moment began to feel real. “Just being here, seeing all the athletes come through, teams all together now, yeah, it definitely feels more real,” McDavid said.

Leadership Roles Set for Team Canada

Canada has already named its leadership group, with Sidney Crosby wearing the “C” once again. McDavid and Cale Makar will serve as alternate captains, giving the team a blend of experience and modern superstar talent.

Team Canada is scheduled to hit the ice for its first practice later today.

Canada opens Group A play against Czechia on February 12, followed by a quick turnaround against Switzerland on February 13. The preliminary round wraps up with a matchup against France on February 15.

ALSO READ: Team Czechia Hit With Major Injury Blow As $19M Bruins Star Gets Ruled Out for Olympics

This marks the first Olympics featuring NHL players since the 2014 Sochi Games. All 12 teams will play three group-stage games before advancing to a single-elimination playoff, with the gold medal game set for February 22. 

Projected Team Canada Lineup

NHL analyst Derek Van Diest shared his projected lines for Canada heading into the tournament:

Forwards
Macklin Celebrini – Connor McDavid – Mitch Marner
Sidney Crosby – Nathan MacKinnon – Sam Reinhart
Brad Marchand – Nick Suzuki – Tom Wilson
Brandon Hagel – Bo Horvat – Mark Stone

Defense
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Josh Morrissey – Shea Theodore
Travis Sanheim – Drew Doughty

Goaltender
Jordan Binnington

With practices beginning and the opening game just days away, the Olympic buzz is officially here, and for McDavid, the long-awaited moment is finally becoming real.