‘No age limit’: Bedard, Celebrini have opportunity to make Team Canada

Now, they’re in the mix to represent Canada as international best-on-best hockey travels to Italy in 2026.

“They’ve been told that Oct. 7 to Jan. 1 is massive for them, like it is for everyone else,” Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong told reporters in Calgary at the Olympic orientation camp. “There is no age limit, or you don’t have to be a certain age to make this team. If you’re good enough and you can help this team compete to win, then you’ll make this team.”

Neither Bedard nor Celebrini played for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February, but they are among 43 elite NHLers attending Canada’s orientation camp in Alberta alongside the national women’s and Para teams.

Though an invitation to camp does not guarantee a spot on the 25-man roster in Milan-Cortina, the opportunity rub shoulders with veterans such as Sidney Crosby, Drew Doughty and John Tavares is meant to be a learning experience for the youngsters, who represent the next generation for Team Canada.

“There’s 43 players here, and there’s going to be 25 going to the Olympics. Some guys are not going to make it. Those two might,” head coach Jon Cooper said. “But this (is the) 2026 Olympics. There’s going to be a 2030 Olympics. There’s going to be a 2034 Olympics. These kids might make it, but if they don’t, they’ve been a part of something that’s going to help them moving forward.

“In the end, we didn’t bring guys here because they were young. We brought them here because they deserve to be here and it’s good for them.”

Bedard, who was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2023 NHL Draft, already has some hardware in his cupboard. The centre won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2024 after a debut campaign that saw him lead rookies in goals (22) and points (61).

Celebrini, a fellow first-overall pick who went to the San Jose Sharks in 2024, was beaten out for top rookie honours by Montreal Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson, but still managed 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games his rookie year.

Both have represented Canada in international tournaments — world juniors and the IIHF world championships — and Armstrong said he believes that between those experiences and this week’s camp, they are equipped them to take their best shot at making the Olympic roster.

“I was fortunate to be with Connor at the worlds a year ago and just seeing the growth in one year of a boy turning into a man, it’s great to see,” Armstrong added. “I think learning and being around and observing how (Connor) McDavid acts, how all these players act … if they’re not learning, then shame on them. And I know they are learning. They’ve been the alpha males all the way up until they get to the NHL, and then they’re at the bottom of the rung, and they’re pulling themselves up every day. Being at these events helps them greatly.

“They’re at this event not to gain experience. It’s to make the team.”