The men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics is underway, and Team Canada already has an injury.
Canada took on Czechia on Thursday in their first tournament game. Morrissey suffered an injury in the first period. The play seemed harmless as Ondrej Palat hit him with just over a minute to go in the period. However, he was seen in pain on the bench before going to the locker room. After not playing in the second period, Morrissey was ruled out for the rest of the game.
“Josh Morrissey is out of the game, won’t return for third period for Team Canada,” NHL insider Pierre LeBrun wrote on X.
Morrissey is expected to play a key role on Team Canada’s blue line. The Winnipeg Jets‘ defenseman getting hurt is a huge blow to Canada’s blue line.
Morrissey played on Team Canada’s second-pairing alongside Colton Parayko. With Morrissey out, seventh defenseman Shea Theodore moved into his spot.
However, if Morrissey is out for the foreseeable future, Canada will have to play Travis Sanheim, who was a scratch in Canada’s game against Czechia on Thursday.
Can Team Canada Replace Josh Morrissey?
If Morrissey’s injury is serious and he can’t play for the rest of the Olympics, Team Canada won’t be able to replace him.
As per Olympic rules, once the tournament starts, the roster is locked in, even if there is an injury.
“Josh Morrissey will not return…hopefully not serious. Now that Canada has played, no injury replacement can be added to the roster,” NHL insider Elliotte Friedman wrote on X.
Unlike in the NHL, teams can dress seven defensemen and 13 forwards, instead of the usual six defensemen and 12 forwards. Meanwhile, each team is carrying eight defensemen, 14 forwards, and three goalies for the tournament.
So, if Morrissey is out for the remainder of the Olympics, Team Canada would simply make him a scratch, which would allow Sanheim to draw into the lineup.
Canada will return to the ice on Friday against Switzerland following their opening game victory over Czechia on Thursday.
Canada Focused on Winning Gold
Team Canada entered the Winter Olympics as the favorite to win gold in the men’s ice hockey tournament.
Entering the tournament, Canada is focused on winning gold, as people are buying into whatever role they need to play.
“We’re focused,” captain Sidney Crosby said. “We respect everyone. I think our biggest thing is just trying to focus on our own game. We know that everyone’s not going to be perfect in Game 1, but at the same time we have to start to form our identity, and we have to understand what that looks like.”
Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper, meanwhile, said he hopes they play hard and the Canadian way.
“I hate sitting here and saying going in, ‘This is the way we’re going to play or this is the way it’s going to go,’” Cooper said. “It’s been said the ‘Canadian way.’ Well, what is the Canadian way? I always think the Canadian way is the winning way and that’s how it works.
“But this group of players, to wear their heart on their sleeve, this team will push. You want to have a team that can beat somebody many different ways. Do we have the skill? We do. Do we have the speed? I believe we do. Do we have the goaltending? I believe we have that. If push comes to shove, can we push back? I really think we can do that. So, for us to be an intimidating team both physically and skill-wise, that would be an identity for us.”
Canada will conclude its group stage on Sunday against France after playing Switzerland on Friday.
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