Mark Scheifele got some tough news this week when he was left off Team Canada’s Olympic roster for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.
The Jets center and alternate captain did not look fazed by it, showing his focus is more on playing good hockey. His response to his exclusion from the next game showed how maturely Scheifele handled the disappointment.
Mark Scheifele Opens Up After Being Left Off Canada’s Olympic Roster
Scheifele, 32, was one of Canada’s top forwards not selected for the Olympic team, which was announced Wednesday. After scoring two goals and adding an assist in Winnipeg’s 6-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, he shared his thoughts on the decision.
“Obviously, it was a tough day. News that you don’t want,” Scheifele said, via The Athletic. “It just shows the amount of talent in Canada. There are so many great hockey players, so many great guys. It’s an honor to be part of this country just because there are so many great hockey players, and obviously, I wish I had been picked. God’s got a plan, and you’ve just got to trust it.”
Scheifele added that he feels proud of how he has performed this season. “I don’t know what else I could have done. I’m proud of the way I played all season to now. I think I’m probably playing the best hockey I’ve ever played in my career. That’s all you’ve got to do is just trust in God’s plan and know there’s a reason for everything.”
Scheifele is a native of Kitchener, Ontario, and he was drafted seventh overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2011, days after it moved to Winnipeg. He holds the team record for both goals and points and continues to be a key player. This season, he has 48 points with a plus-seven rating, showing his impact at both ends of the ice. He averages over 20 minutes per game, leads by example, and helps younger players grow.
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Team Canada’s Olympic roster is full of star players, including Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mitch Marner. Other forwards like Macklin Celebrini, Bo Horvat, Nick Suzuki, and Tom Wilson bring youth and different skills, while veterans such as Brad Marchand provide experience. Canada opens against Czechia on Feb. 12, followed by Switzerland and France, with the gold medal game on Feb. 22.
Even though Scheifele won’t play in Milan, he continues to perform for Winnipeg. His two goals and assist against Toronto showed he can keep producing at a high level despite personal setbacks. Scheifele’s focus remains on helping the Jets win and leading the team on the ice.
