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Penguins players discuss which summer Olympic sport they’d be most likely to qualify in


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Jack Sutherland
February 7, 2026  (11:14 PM)
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Jan 25, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari (55) during a stop in play against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Rogers Arena.
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Multiple Pittsburgh Penguins players are playing in the Winter Olympics, and they talked about which summer Olympic sports they'd most likely qualify in.

There are multiple Pittsburgh Penguins players who are playing in the Olympics for their countries, Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell among them.
But there are multiple players who aren't making the trip over to Milan who were recently asked by Penguins analyst Kelsey Surmacz of what sports in the summer Olympics that they'd most likely qualify in.
Let me see… I’m not the greatest swimmer, so I don’t think swimming’s in the cards. Probably handball. I used to be a really good handball player in gym class in high school, so… whenever it’s on, I try and catch it. It’s rarely on, but when it is, I’ll stop and I’ll watch it. Doesn’t matter what country is playing. I’ll go handball. - Noel Acciari

I mean, I think I’d have to go golf for the Olympics. I play a lot of it, and I don’t think anything else would translate very well. - Justin Brazeau

I don’t know. Probably soccer. - Egor Chinakhov

I mean, does golf count? I would say golf. I’m a big golfer, I probably play three or four times a week in the summer. That’s probably my biggest hobby outside of hockey. So, I would feel the most confident about that. That’s probably the most common answer you’re going to get from hockey players. - Ryan Shea

All of them have been part of a Penguins team that has a far better record than most ever realistically anticipated coming into this year.

Sidney Crosby Once Again Will Captain Canada On The Ice

Once again as he's done before in his career, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will take on the role of captain for Team Canada on the ice.
Crosby led Canada to gold medal wins in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and was also captain for their 4 Nations Faceoff win last February.
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Penguins players discuss which summer Olympic sport they’d be most likely to qualify in

What summer sport would Sidney Crosby be best at?


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