NHL News: Stanley Cup champion with Panthers makes bold pitch to join Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid on Team Canada

After hoisting the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024, Brandon Montour has now fixed his sight in another piece of silverware. Being left out of the 4 Nations roster taught him that he must fight for everything he gets, and he is now determined to join Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid on Team Canada.

The 2025-26 NHL hasn’t gotten underway but drama is already building. Not necessarily in regards to the regular season per se. Instead, the 2026 Olympics in Milano is what everybody is after. Representing their country on the world’s biggest stage—that’s what every player has always dreamed of.

For Canadian players, it means even more. The talent pool is so deep that being named to the roster is truly special. Whenever these types of events come around, a dozen names are always missing who could have made the cut. Unfortunately, there isn’t a spot on the ice or the bench for everyone.

Making the cut

Every participating country has announced the first six players who will travel to Italy in February. Canada has revealed Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart, and Brayden Point. The blueline is expected to feature elite talent from left to right, but Montour believes he has what it takes to make the team. It will be up to him to prove it during the upcoming NHL season.

Brandon Montour #62 of the Seattle Kraken warms up before a game against the St. Louis Blues at Climate Pledge Arena on April 12, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

“I felt like I had the opportunity of making the 4 Nations team; unfortunately, it was not to be,” Brandon Montour said, in dialogue with NHL.com. “At the same time, I think, for any hockey fan, it’s cool to kind of see the high end, you know, elite of the elite playing.

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“It gives you the kind of thirst to feel like you could be a part of that. So, yeah, it’s unfortunate not to be part of that tournament, but feel like I can put myself in a good position to be in contention this time around.”

On the radar

Montour’s desire to join the Canadian side for the Olympics isn’t precisely a case of someone chasing rainbows. Quite the contrary, the former Panthers‘ star is being closely looked at by the national team’s staff. Perhaps the disappointing campaign the Seattle Kraken had last season was too costly. But that’s all in the past now.

As of now, Montour is coming off a nine-point performance in the 2025 IIHF World Championship. Following his impressive showing, the 31-year-old Stanley Cup champ earned an invitation to Team Canada’s Olympic orientation camp in Calgary, scheduled for Aug. 26–28.

“It was nice to get that,” Montour admitted. “I think I played well at the Worlds and, I mean, I think at this point people know what I bring. But to be recognized, it’s very cool. And just another kind of step to, you know, hopefully playing well and doing well, and making the team.”