Connor McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers, is setting aside his vacation plans for a greater cause—leading Team Canada at the upcoming 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off. This February, Montreal and Boston will host the event, marking the first best-on-best men’s hockey tournament in nearly a decade. McDavid, who will be joined by NHL luminaries such as Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nathan MacKinnon, expressed unbridled enthusiasm about his participation.
“When you have the chance to wear the Canadian jersey and play with some of the world’s best, it’s an opportunity you don’t pass up,” McDavid remarked during the team announcement. “Nowhere else I’d rather be than in Montreal and Boston for those two weeks. It’s going to be a special team to be a part of and a great event.”
A Gathering of Hockey’s Elite
The 23-player roster for Canada reads like a who’s who of hockey. Alongside McDavid and Crosby, forwards like Mitch Marner and Brad Marchand are set to appear, with a strong defensive lineup featuring Cale Makar, Alex Pietrangelo, and Shea Theodore. Between the pipes, Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault will vie for the starting goaltender position.
This tournament not only serves as a precursor to the 2026 Olympics in Milan Cortina, where NHL players will participate for the first time since 2014, but also offers a unique preview of the intense rivalry and talent on display. McDavid highlighted the significance of the match-up against Team USA, noting,
“Canada vs US on a Saturday night in Montreal. Doesn’t get much better than that. Honestly, it’s going to be electric.”
Personal Reunions on Ice
Apart from the nationalistic fervor, McDavid is particularly thrilled about reuniting with some old friends and teammates.
“Hard not to say Sidney Crosby. Hard not to say Nathan MacKinnon. Two guys that are just amazing, some of the greatest ever. It’s gonna be special playing with them,” he shared. “Sammy Bennett was my minor hockey line mate for eight years, so hopefully there’s still a little chemistry there between us. Looking forward to playing with him as well,”
McDavid added.
Forgoing Turks & Caicos for Team Canada
The decision to skip a vacation in Turks & Caicos with close friend Leon Draisaitl was not made lightly, but McDavid’s commitment to his country and sport is apparent. As he prepares for the high-stakes environment of the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, his focus is clear:
“It’s a privilege to represent your country, and I’m fully ready to embrace that challenge.” With a lineup that blends youthful vigor with seasoned prowess, Team Canada is poised to offer hockey fans around the globe a spectacular display of skill and sportsmanship. The NHL 4 Nations Face-Off promises to be a landmark event, and with leaders like McDavid at the helm, the excitement is just beginning.
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