Olympics: 5 Moose alum to participate

There are 26 former QMJHL players who will participate in the men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy this month. The Olympics began officially on Friday February 6 and will go to February 22. Our Halifax Mooseheads will have five alumni in the tournament that starts on February 12th. 

Photo - Devils Facebook

Canada will have three Q alum on their roster with forwards Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand all wearing the maple leaf later this week. Marchand split his junior career between the Moncton Wildcats, Val-d'Or Foreurs and our Halifax Mooseheads. MacKinnon, of course, spent two seasons with the Herd before being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche first overall in 2013. Brad, 37, has recorded 50 points in 46 games played before the break while 30-year-old Nathan is currently second in the league with 93 points. Team Canada is among four teams in Group A with their first game being against Czechia on Thursday. 

New Jersey Devils teammates Nico Hischier and Timo Meier will be sitting on the same bench during the Olympics in both of their debuts in the international tournament as they suit up for Team Switzerland. The country hasn't seemed to announce their captains yet but I'm sure we will see Hischier wear a letter. 29-year-old Meier has 14 goals and 28 points in 52 games played so far this season. Nico not only leads the team being the captain but he also has the most points on the Devils at the break with 42. Switzerland will join Canada in Group A and take on France on Thursday. 

Photo - Jets Whiteout website

Former Herd Nikolaj Ehlers was a big contributor to Denmark qualifying for the 2026 Olympics and will hope to help his country improve on their 7th place finish from four years ago. The 29-year-old, who will celebrate his birthday at the games on Saturday, has 43 points for the Carolina Hurricanes in 57 games. Denmark is playing in Group C and is set to kick off the tournament on Thursday against Germany.

Canada and Switzerland will meet each other on February 13 at 4:10pm Atlantic time. Each group winner and the best second-place team advance to the quarterfinals while the other eight teams play a qualification round. 

Good luck to all the players in the tournament and congrats to the Mooseheads alumni who are participating. The gold medal game is scheduled for February 22.