Doug Armstrong: 2026 Olympics Present Great 'Opportunity' For Team Canada

[TBone]

2026 Olympics present great 'opportunity' for Team Canada, GM says

By Aaron Vickers
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
July 13, 2025

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Canada is vying for its first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since 2014 and its third total in Games featuring NHL participation, after the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Armstrong was an assistant general manager in both 2010 and 2014 under Steve Yzerman, and also served as GM of Canada's gold-winning entry at the World Cup of Hockey 2016.

"I was fortunate enough to watch Steve Yzerman go through that in 2010 and 2014, and even at the World Cup in 2016. ... As a manager you understand what it means to the country and what it means to the players," Armstrong said. "I don't think anyone looks at it as pressure. It's just an opportunity to represent the NHL and your team and your country.

"I don't think we look at it as pressure. It's an opportunity."

Armstrong, the GM of the St. Louis Blues, recently talked with NHL.com about lessons learned at the 4 Nations Face-Off and what to expect at the Olympics.

https://www.nhl.com/news/2026-olympics- ... trong-says

[rezero]

In 1980, 79% of all NHL players were from Canada. In 2000, Canada had 533 to 151 in US. In 2020, they had 481 to 320 in the US. The graph projects that in 2036, US will overtake Canada having the most NHL players. With US being 10x the population of Canada it is inevitable.

Red is Canadian players, Blue is US players, Grey are all others

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