MILAN — During a rare day off at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Canada’s NHL players took an unusual break from training by riding the city’s metro in a large group, attracting attention from locals and tourists alike. The team’s outing offered a chance for some of hockey’s biggest stars to experience Milan’s culture firsthand while bonding outside the rink.
Bo Horvat, a Long Island native who frequently commutes by train in New York, remarked on the unique experience of riding public transit with about two dozen teammates. Photos and videos featuring Connor McDavid and other Canadian athletes quickly circulated on social media, highlighting their presence in the city beyond hockey arenas.
Team Leadership Coordinates City Tour and Group Activities
The excursion was organized by team captain Sidney Crosby, aiming for the players to visit prominent sights like the Duomo cathedral and attend a short-track speedskating event. According to Hockey Canada’s general manager Doug Armstrong, goaltender Jordan Binnington was unofficially tasked with guiding the large group through Milan.
“He was our tour guide for the day. He did a great job. He got everybody there and everybody home,”
Horvat said of Binnington’s efforts. Horvat also described the packed metro ride:
“We were crammed in there like sardines. We were all in red coats and sticking out like sore thumbs. I think anybody could’ve recognized us taking the subway. It was really cool to be a part of.”
Canadian Team Experiences Olympic Events Beyond Ice Hockey
The group witnessed Canada’s silver-medal performance in the mixed team relay of short-track speedskating, a competition that saw host nation Italy edging out the Canadians. Brad Marchand, a veteran winger and two-time Stanley Cup champion, shared his impressions since it was his first time attending an Olympic event in person.
“To see the intensity between the laps, how fast the athletes are going, one little mistake, how it can derail a competition not only for yourself, but for other players as well, it was awesome to be there and to root on Canada,”
Marchand said.
“It just shows that the level of separation between winning and losing, at any level, is so small. But at this level, you’re dealing with the best of the best in every sport, and the margins for error are so small.”
U.S. Players Enjoy Unique Olympic Encounters, Including With Snoop Dogg
Meanwhile, American athletes took advantage of downtime off the ice to meet rapper Snoop Dogg, who has become a notable figure at these Olympics. Matthew Tkachuk recalled the entertainer’s humor during their meeting:
“He’s ‘Coach Snoop’ so he was giving us some pump-up speeches,”
Dylan Larkin added.
“Probably one of the few people I’ve met that’s kind of larger than life. You look at him, and he doesn’t even look real. It was an awesome experience.”
U.S. Team Prepares for Opening Match with New Power-Play Strategy
The United States squad returned to practice ahead of their first game against Latvia, with coach Mike Sullivan naming a top power-play unit featuring Quinn Hughes, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Matthew Tkachuk, and Tage Thompson. The inclusion of Thompson, a newcomer who was not part of last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster, is notable due to his height and skill set.
Sullivan explained Thompson’s role:
“He’s a great goal scorer (and) he has the ability to make plays.”
The coach emphasized Thompson’s right-handed shooting as beneficial for their tactical plans, stating,
“Tage is one of those guys that’s a right shot, but he also has the skill set to play the position that we’re asking him to play.”
Unexpected Results and Player Usage Mark Initial Olympic Games
The first day of competition brought surprises, including Slovakia’s upset over Finland and Sweden’s difficulty against host Italy. Additionally, NHL star Filip Forsberg appeared sparingly for Sweden, playing just one shift lasting a little more than a minute as the team’s 13th forward.
Filip Forsberg’s coach, Sam Hallam, addressed this choice:
“For us coaches and management, we’re looking at dividing into roles, players that can handle different kind of ice times, different kind of situations. Filip on the ice today would’ve been great. He can be on the ice much more next game. But if we want to go deep in this we’re gonna need everyone. … We have ambition to go deep into this tournament. We need good players from one to 25.”
Goalie Decisions and Team Strategies Ahead of Upcoming Matches
Like their NHL roles, U.S. coach Mike Sullivan plans to reveal the starting goalie shortly before each match. Canada’s Jon Cooper indicated he would notify his goaltenders before making public announcements about lineup choices, while Czechia’s coach Radim Rulik also remained tightlipped.
For the opening matches, Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start in net for the United States against Latvia, with Jordan Binnington likely earning the nod for Canada. Both goaltenders faced off in the 4 Nations final previously, which Canada won in overtime. Czechia is anticipated to start Lukas Dostal, though Karel Vejmelka and Dan Vladar remain contenders for the position.
Olympic Participation Reflects Athletic and Cultural Exchange
The presence of Canadian NHL players navigating Milan’s metro system and attending Olympic events outside their sport illustrates the diverse experiences athletes encounter during the Games. Interaction with local culture and other competitors enriches their Olympic stay beyond the ice hockey competition.
This immersion could enhance team camaraderie and mental refreshment, factors essential for peak performance in upcoming matches. Meanwhile, the unfolding tournament promises to test the depth and adaptability of all teams as they pursue Olympic success.
