OLYMPICS: Ice hockey-Bennett replaces injured Cirelli on Canada roster
Sam Bennett joins Team Canada in the Olympics, replacing injured Anthony Cirelli, bringing his Stanley Cup experience and 2025 playoff MVP honors to the roster as NHL players return to the Games for the first time since 2014.
Amy Tennery
Reuters
February 04, 2026
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena, Washington, District of Columbia, USA on January 17, 2026.
Geoff Burke/Imagn Images
Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett will replace injured centre Anthony Cirelli on the Canadian men's Olympic ice hockey roster, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Hockey Canada said on Tuesday.
Cirelli, who helped the Tampa Bay Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021, exited Sunday's Stadium Series with an undisclosed injury.
Bennett, who was on Canada's winning 4 Nations Face-Off team last year, helped the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025. He won playoff MVP in 2025.
The men's Olympic ice hockey tournament kicks off on February 11 with players from the National Hockey League participating for the first time since 2014, in a highly anticipated return to the Games.
-Amy Tennery/Reuters
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