Montreal Canadiens forward and captain Nick Suzuki got the phone call every Canadian hockey player dreams of – and despite a late night, he was already up and waiting for it. The Canadiens defeated the Florida Panthers in overtime on Tuesday, but Suzuki’s thoughts were on Team Canada, hoping he would make the roster.
The Canadiens captain confirmed he was informed by Julien BriseBois early Tuesday morning that he had been selected to represent Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Suzuki admitted that anticipation had been building for days, making sleep difficult as the decision loomed.
“There’s been a lot of stress and thinking about it,” Suzuki said. “You try not to let it affect your game, but it’s hard not to think about it, especially late at night. So it’s nice to put an end to it.”
For Suzuki, this moment has deep personal meaning. Representing Canada on the Olympic stage has been a lifelong goal, one that now feels real after years of development and steady progress in the NHL.
‘It means everything to me’ he said. “It’s something I dreamed of as a kid, and to now make it a reality is an amazing feeling. I’m incredibly proud and excited to represent Team Canada.”
Suzuki also reflected on how being dropped from the Four Nations squad helped fuel his motivation. Instead of letting it linger, he used it as an added incentive to take his game to the next level and focus on helping the Canadiens win.
“Cutting back earlier gave me extra motivation,” Suzuki explained. “I just wanted to do my best and help the Canadiens win.” He talked about helping his own team reach the playoffs and go on an incredible run. That likely played a role in the managers’ minds when making their Team Canada selections.
That mentality has paid off. Montreal’s strong performance this season and Suzuki’s consistent two-way play earned him a spot on the team. That doesn’t mean he’s going to change anything or change what he does now that he’s in. He emphasized that his approach will be to compete hard, lead by example and do whatever it takes to help his team succeed.
Now the focus shifts forward. Suzuki is eager to join his teammates and embrace the opportunities ahead in Italy.
“I can’t wait to get together with the boys and go to Italy,” he said. “It is an incredible honor and I am very much looking forward to what lies ahead.”
Next: New faces added as Team Canada officially announces its Olympic roster
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