Before their first Olympic hockey match on Thursday, Canada‘s hockey team focused on strengthening their unity in Milan. The group, including Washington Capitals players Tom Wilson and Logan Thompson, attended the short track speed-skating event at the Milan Ice Skating Arena on Tuesday, fostering camaraderie ahead of their upcoming competition.
Team Presence at Speed-Skating and Key Moments During the Event
Tom Wilson shared a striking photo of the gathered players, revealing prominent teammates such as Nate MacKinnon, Darcy Kuemper, Sam Reinhart, Colton Parayko, Drew Doughty, Mitch Marner, Devon Toews, and Josh Morrissey seated nearby. Above them were other key players including Jordan Binnington, Brad Marchand, Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, Seth Jarvis, Logan Thompson, Sam Bennett, and Nick Suzuki.
The event grew tense when U.S. speed skater Corinne Stoddard collided with Korean competitor Kim Gilli and struck a padded wall. Canadian Courtney Sarault narrowly avoided the accident during the short track mixed team relay semifinals, helping Canada advance to the finals.
Canada’s Silver Medal in Mixed Team Relay Finals
In the final race, Canada’s team of Courtney Sarault, Kim Boutin, William Dandjinou, and Félix Roussel earned the silver medal, finishing with a time of 2:39.258, marking a significant achievement in the Olympic ice skating competition.
Team Activities Beyond the Ice: Exploring Milan and Public Moments
Following the speed-skating event, the Canadian players created a buzz on social media when they took the Milan metro to continue their day. The group, including Logan Thompson, later enjoyed a watch party to support their fellow athletes.
On Monday night after practice, the team visited the historic Duomo di Milano, Milan’s famous gothic cathedral that took six centuries to complete. Located in the city center, visiting this landmark allowed the team a moment of cultural immersion amid their Olympic preparations.
Looking Ahead to Canada’s Opening Olympic Hockey Match
Canada will open their Olympic hockey tournament against Czechia on Thursday at 10:40 a.m., with team morale visibly strengthened by their shared experiences off the ice. These moments of bonding and exploration are expected to reinforce the group’s cohesion as they face intense competition ahead.
