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Special scene as Sidney Crosby leads Team Canada off the plane at the Olympics in Milan


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Daniel Lucente
February 8, 2026  (10:22)
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Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sydney Crosby (87) during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game against the United States at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Sidney Crosby led Team Canada into Milano, fans swarmed the airport gates, and Olympic hockey suddenly feels real.

Canada’s group touched down in Italy on Sunday, and it looked like the trip turned into a mini pep rally before anyone even found their luggage.
A bunch of Canadians were waiting at the airport with flags, jerseys, and phones up, trying to catch a glimpse of the sweaters and the faces.
You could spot Crosby right at the front, calm as ever, moving the group along while still giving fans that quick nod of “yeah, we’re here.”
That’s the part I love, the captain stuff that happens before the first puck drop, when leadership is just body language.
It’s a small moment, but it hits hard because the NHL is back at the Olympics and the whole thing has been building for months.
This roster is stacked, but the vibe starts with Crosby because everyone knows what he’s done when the lights get hot.
Canada opens the men’s tournament against Czechia on Thursday, and the arrival day felt like the first real step toward that game.

Sidney Crosby sets the tone for Team Canada

You can feel the fanbase flip from debate mode to belief mode the second Crosby walks through an airport with the maple leaf around him.
On the ice, he still fits because he plays fast without looking rushed, and that’s gold in short tournaments.
I’m watching the man advantage, too, because Crosby can run the bumper or the goal line and make elite players simpler.
The next couple practices matter, not for systems, but for chemistry and who naturally rides shotgun with him in the top-six.
Canada showed up together, and now the only thing left is to play like it.
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Special scene as Sidney Crosby leads Team Canada off the plane at the Olympics in Milan

Should Sidney Crosby be Team Canada’s clear on-ice leader in Milano Cortina?


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