“It’ll be a treat to be alongside him, be on his team and watch his habits,” Brad Marchand confessed on the opportunity to represent Team Canada alongside Connor McDavid at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. The Oilers’ captain also reflected the sentiment as he readied himself to share locker room space with “The Rat”. And now, they might be able to renew the camaraderie once again.
With the 2026 Olympics fast approaching, preparations for the upcoming biggest sporting event are in full swing. Under such circumstances, Canada is also getting the ball rolling in hopes of clinching its 10th gold at the competition. With that in mind, McDavid could be looking to spend some time with his NHL foes under the same banner before the League kicks off its 2025-26 season.
On August 1, David, host of The FLA Cats Hockey Podcast, took to X to share the stars that have been called to join “Canada’s 2026 Olympic orientation camp, which will take place in August“. In the attached image, one can notice that both McDavid and the Panthers’ Brad Marchand have been called upon by their nation to start preparing for the ’26 Italy Winter Olympics. The thunderous NHL forwards will be joined by the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby as well.
So far, 42 players in total are expected to join Canada’s Olympic orientation camp, and it looks like the reigning NHL champs will have a ton of representation at the August camp.
Aaron Ekblad
Sam Bennett
Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaeghe
Brad Marchand
All get invited to joining Canada’s 2026 Olympic orientation camp, which will take place in August.
Potential for a few more Panthers on Team Canada for the Olympics in Italy next this upcoming winter.… pic.twitter.com/R88OxcQUtW
— David (@David954FLA) August 1, 2025
The story is developing
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