Sidney Crosby has been on, and won at, the biggest ice hockey stages in the world. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and the three-time Stanley Cup champion knows what it takes to win.

However, the Pittsburgh Penguins centerman also knows age and experience can only take you so far. “We’re confident, but I think it’s a focused type of confidence,” Crosby said after practice at Milano Santagiulia Arena on Wednesday.

“We believe in our group, but we know we have some work to do. It’s going to be a challenge. We understand that, but I think we trust and believe in our group, and we’re excited to get up there tomorrow.”

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 20: Sidney Crosby #87 of Team Canada celebrates with his teammates after defeating Team United States in overtime to win the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Road to gold through Group A?

Canada opens the Milano Cortina 2026 tournament against Czechia on Thursday (12 February). It marks the first of three games in Group A in the men’s ice hockey tournament. Switzerland and France join Czechia and Canada in pool play.

Crosby is one of nearly 150 NHLers at the 2026 Winter Games, the return of pro men’s players to the international tournament since 2014. Crosby helped his country earn back-to-back Olympic titles the last time he competed in the Winter Olympics but that, and even the 2025 4 Nations victory, doesn’t mean much at the start of another Olympic tournament.

“It allows you to know what to expect a little bit. But ultimately, age, experience, it’s one thing. It doesn’t guarantee anything – doesn’t give you anything. You still got to go out there and do it,” Crosby said Wednesday.

Quality time a short track speed skating

Although the focus is now on competing best-on-best at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, the team did get a chance to support the mixed short track speed skaters wearing the Maple Leaf at Milano Ice Skating Arena.

“We had an opportunity yesterday, and I think [Jordan Binnington] was one of the guys who brought up to maybe see short track. So it worked out well,” Crosby told Olympics.com Wednesday after Canada’s practice.

“It was great to be able to experience that. We won’t get a ton of time to be able to do that stuff, so it was great we could go there and support. And it was pretty exciting.”

Stick to the game plan

To Crosby, a team-first mentality looks like hard work and a strong checking game. He said: “We understand that to be the strongest team, that guys may have to adjust roles, or you may play different minutes… it’s a team game, and at the end of the day, we got to do whatever you need to do.

“We have a lot of skill obviously, but ultimately it’s the best team that’s going to win this. So if we’re committed to that, we give ourselves a good chance, and that’s hopefully our identity,” Crosby told Olympics.com.

The quest for gold begins in earnest Thursday, 12 February as Canada takes on Czechia at the Milano Santagiulia IHO Arena.

Source: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/2026-winter-olympics-canada-mens-team-captain-sidney-crosby-age-and-experience-no-guarantee-olympic-success