Unconventional move surfaces for Team Canada at Olympics

Team Canada’s men’s hockey squad is breaking from tradition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, opting for a five-star hotel stay after a brief stint in the athletes’ village. The move has sparked discussion, but the team insists it’s about preparation, not prestige.

“I don’t think we’re doing it as an insult or anything like that,” said Canadian goaltender Logan Thompson. “We want to win gold, and we want to give ourselves the best opportunity to do so.” Thompson added that players will still enjoy the village experience, mingling with other athletes and attending Olympic events, keeping some of the charm of the Games intact.

The decision, reports Luke Fox of Sportsnet, ultimately rests with Team Canada’s leadership group. Darcy Kuemper, another goalie, emphasized the goal: “We’re gonna make the decision that we feel is giving us the best chance to win.”

For the players, that includes access to hotel amenities and the comfort of a proper bed after long practices and high-intensity games.

General Manager Doug Armstrong addressed the growing debate on Wednesday morning, noting that Canadian Olympic hockey teams have always had hotel accommodations.

“The players have always had a hotel room in all of the Olympics prior to this, in Vancouver and Sochi. They’ve stayed with their families. They have a room in the village, they have a room provided by the NHL and NHLPA outside there. And so I think this has sort of grown a life of its own. This is no different than the tournaments we had before. We just wanted to give our players that option to stay where they’re most comfortable to prepare for the games.”

As Canada aims for gold in Milan, the focus is on giving players every possible advantage.

After all, at this point since arriving in Milan, the roster has been criticized a few times: from closing practice to media on Tuesday to changing accommodations… and staying tight-lipped on the starting goalie ahead of tomorrow’s opener vs. Czechia.

That’s a lot happening and therefore, I’m glad they’re getting a good sleep.