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Sidney Crosby debuts in an unexpected role in Team Canada’s first Olympic practice


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Jack Sutherland
February 8, 2026  (4:12 PM)
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[Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) skates in the warmup period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre.
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Penguins and Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby debuts an unexpected role for Canada in their first practice in the Milan Olympics.

To nobody's surprise, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will once again be leading the way for Team Canada in this year's Winter Olympics.
It's the first time in 10 years that the NHL is sending players to play in the Olympics, and as he did in 2010 in Vancouver and 2014 in Sochi, Crosby will be trying to lead Canada to another gold medal.
But his role on Canada's roster might raise a few eyebrows, as he was listed on the third line during Canada's first practice since arriving in Milan.
Crosby was on the third line with Mark Stone and Mitch Marner of the Vegas Golden Knights. Not surprisingly, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is on the top line with Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals and electric second year forward Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks.
First line rushes.

Celebrini McDavid Wilson
Suzuki MacKinnon Marchand
Stone Crosby Marner
Hagel Horvat Reinhart
Bennett Jarvis - Ryan Rishaug

Sidney Crosby Was Named Captain Of Team Canada

Once again, Crosby wears the captain's "C" on his sweater for Canada as he's done before, most recently at last year's 4 Nations Faceoff.
Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, said Crosby has a unique ability to bring people together.
It can’t be overstated, and I saw it again at the 4 Nations, (Crosby) has this incredible ability to bring people together,” Salmond said. “I believe that there’s this belief within the team and the players that they don’t want to let him down. These players have the weight of the nation on their shoulders, but they look at Sidney Crosby and they want to carry on that legacy that he’s created. You can never underestimate it. - Scott Salmond

Canada opens against Czechia on Thursday.
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Sidney Crosby debuts in an unexpected role in Team Canada’s first Olympic practice

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