Olympics – Winnipeg Free Press

CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Germany’s Franziska Feldmeier (7) scores against Canada goalkeeper Emerance Maschmeyer (38) during the third period of a women’s ice hockey quarterfinal match.

Canada posts 5-1 victory over Germany in women’s hockey

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:53 PM CST

MILAN — Let’s be honest: the result was never in doubt. Canada’s women’s hockey team was always going to beat Germany, and it did so with relative ease on Saturday afternoon, posting a 5-1 victory to punch its ticket to the Winter Olympics semifinals.

The biggest news was the fact Germany scored a goal — something it hadn’t done in eight previous meetings against Canada, all losses by a combined score of 78-0. No, that is not a typo.

That margin had increased to 82-0 by the time forward Franziska Feldmeier broke away in the third period, beating Canadian goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer with a deke which sent both the German bench and its fans inside Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena into a frenzy.

Canada will now face Switzerland on Monday afternoon in a rematch of their first pool game, which Canada won 4-0. The United States will take on Sweden in the other semifinal later that day.

ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
A decorated Olympic champion turned MP, Adam van Koeverden has spent the past year serving as Secretary of State for Sport in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet.

Why is Canada’s medal count down?

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Why is Canada’s medal count down?

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

MILAN — We’re now a full week into the Winter Olympics and Canada has yet to reach the top of any podium.

Is that a big problem?

There have been seven medals so far — three silvers and four bronzes — but gold remains elusive. You have to go all the way back to Albertville 1992 to find another instance where Canada went this long without a victory.

With nine days remaining, matching — let alone surpassing — the record-setting 29 medals won at Pyeongchang 2018, a benchmark many cited as a goal heading into Milan Cortina, now appears a tall order.

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Hassan Ammar / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (back row, centre) opened the scoring for Canada against Switzerland on Friday in Milan.

Canada off to hot start in round-robin play

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Canada off to hot start in round-robin play

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

MILAN — Just imagine being Macklin Celebrini right now.

You’re 19 years old, as wide-eyed and fresh-faced as they come, suddenly rubbing shoulders with the very elite of the hockey world. And while wearing the Maple Leaf on your chest at the Winter Olympics for the very first time, you’re dropped onto a top line that reads like fantasy.

Connor McDavid, the best player on the planet. Nathan MacKinnon, who may well be the second-best skater alive. And you.

Instead of looking like a deer in the headlights under the weight of that assignment, Celebrini makes it look effortless — calmly scoring another goal, his second in as many games, while adding an assist for good measure.

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

SUPPLIED
Hall of Fame football player and former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Joe Poplawski is at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games to cheer on his daughter-in-law, U.S. cross-country skier Jessie Diggins. From left: Wade, Darlene and Joe Poplawski.

Cross-country ski history a family affair for Poplawski

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Cross-country ski history a family affair for Poplawski

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

MILAN — Joe Poplawski experienced plenty of surreal moments during his professional football career. The proud Winnipegger — one of the most popular Winnipeg Blue Bombers players in franchise history — has a trophy case filled with accolades.

But nothing prepared the Hall of Fame wide receiver for what he witnessed this week in Italy: watching his daughter-in-law gut through a painful injury and still climb the podium at the Winter Olympics in the women’s 10-kilometre interval start free cross-country skiing event.

“Just an incredible event to witness,” he told the Free Press on Friday. “I’ll tell you what, I sure was pumped after she ended up winning bronze.”

At this point, you might be saying, ‘Wait — Canada didn’t medal in that event.’ And that’s true. Jessie Diggins was born in Saint Paul, Minn., and while she holds dual citizenship after once living in Thunder Bay, Ont., she competes internationally for the United States.

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Petr David Josek / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman (left) and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said at a press conference today in Milan, alongside IIHF president Luc Tardif, that they hope to have best-on-best men’s hockey tournaments every two years.

NHL commits to 2030 French Alps Games participation

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

NHL commits to 2030 French Alps Games participation

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

MILAN — As best-on-best hockey returns to the biggest stage in sports for the first time in 12 years, one notable absence continues to spark discussion, debate and even suggestions these Olympics deserve an asterisk.

Could a Russian return to international competition be on the horizon?

Not surprisingly, the touchy topic was front and centre Thursday afternoon when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh and International Ice Hockey Federation president Luc Tardif met with media in Milan.

“First of all, we follow the recommendation of (International Olympic Committee). We try to keep away the politics from our competition, but sometimes that’s not so easy,” said Tardif.

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Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

Petr David Josek / The Associated Press
Winnipegs Mark Stone (right) scored his first Olympic goal, the second on the night for Canada, and Jordan Binnington (left) recorded his first Olympic shutout in Canada’s 5-0 win over Czechia Thursday in Milan.

Canadian men’s team opens tournament with 5-0 win

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Canadian men’s team opens tournament with 5-0 win

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

MILAN — A dream start for Team Canada. Another international hockey nightmare for Josh Morrissey?

Thursday’s dominant 5-0 win over Czechia to open the Winter Olympics came with a major price tag, as the star Winnipeg Jets defenceman left the game early in the second period and didn’t return, putting his availability for the rest of the best-on-best tournament in potential peril.

Morrissey’s left leg appeared to clip the right leg of Czechia forward Martin Necas on his final shift of the opening frame, causing him to labour as he made his way back to the bench. Morrissey came out with his teammates to start the second and took one shift, which once again ended with him grimacing as he left the ice, this time for good.

“I feel for Josh. Hopefully he’s OK,” said his blue-line partner, Colton Parayko.

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Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Switzerland’s head coach Patrick Fischer talks his players during practice on Sunday in Milan. Fischer shone on the high school hockey team’s Carman Cougars roster in his youth.

Carman holds special place in Swiss head coach Fischer’s heart

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Carman holds special place in Swiss head coach Fischer’s heart

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

MILAN — Patrick Fischer’s long and winding road to the Winter Olympics included a most memorable detour through southern Manitoba.

The head coach of Switzerland’s men’s hockey team said his brief stint in the Pembina Valley — and the incredible people he met there — will always hold a special place in his heart.

“Great times. One of the best years of my life,” Fischer told the Free Press on Wednesday following his team’s practice in Milan. “It left a mark. Very beautiful memories. It gave me a lot.”

Thirty-five years ago, Fischer was a wide-eyed 16-year-old who moved to Carman to attend high school and experience Canadian hockey firsthand. His parents had been transferred from Switzerland to Tennessee for a one-year work assignment and wanted to give him the best opportunity to reach the professional level.

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Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

SUPPLIED
Seth Jarvis’ buddies from Winnipeg will be landing in Milan on Sunday to cheer on the Canadian men’s hockey team. The group made a 30-hour trek to Boston last February for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Back row, from left: Bryan Hanna, Sloan Tremblay, Lucas Fry and Matt McLeod; Lucas Humble (middle left); and Seth’s brother Kayden (front left).

The boys will be back in town

Buddies of Winnipeg’s Jarvis on their way to Milan

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

Carolyn Kaster / The Associated Press
Team Canada’s men’s Olympic hockey team opted to move to a nearby hotel in Milan after spending just one night in the athletes’ village on Sunday.

May the most comfortable country win?

Canadian men’s hockey team opts for hotel over athletes’ village

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Canada’s Julia Gosling (88) celebrates her goal against Czechia on Monday. Gosling netted two of Canada’s five goals in the game.

Olympic hockey a ‘dream come true’ for defender Tabin

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Olympic hockey a ‘dream come true’ for defender Tabin

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

MILAN — It’s not every you day get a “good luck” greeting from Connor McDavid on the way to your hockey game.

Then again, these are not exactly ordinary days for Winnipegger Kati Tabin, who can now officially say she is an Olympian.

The 28-year-old defender — who twice walked away from the sport only to be pulled back — made her debut on Saturday here in Milan in a 4-0 victory over Switzerland. That was followed up with a 5-1 triumph on Monday night over Czechia, a few hours after the NHL’s biggest star wished her well as they crossed paths in the athlete’s village.

Enjoying the Olympic experience so far?

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Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

‘I had trained so hard for this day’: Quebec speed skater Maltais captures bronze

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

‘I had trained so hard for this day’: Quebec speed skater Maltais captures bronze

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

MILAN — Well, that sure didn’t take long, eh?

Team Canada’s Winter Olympics got off to a shiny start Saturday, as Quebec speedskater Valérie Maltais captured bronze in the women’s 3,000 metres in Milano-Cortina.

“Yesterday I was really nervous. Then I slept like nine-and-a-half hours last night. Like, I slept so good. And as I woke up, I was just ready. I had trained so hard for this day,” said Maltais.

Twenty skaters qualified for the event, racing against the clock in pairs. Maltais skated in the third-last group alongside Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida, who electrified the jam-packed, partisan crowd with a gold medal–winning time of 3:54.28, which is an Olympic record.

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Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Darryl Dyck / the Canadian Press
Volunteers perform during the opening ceremony at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics Friday in Milan.

Medal-worthy drinks to enjoy during Olympics

Ben Sigurdson 5 minute read Preview

Medal-worthy drinks to enjoy during Olympics

Ben Sigurdson 5 minute read Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Every fourth winter, the water-cooler chatter at offices everywhere suddenly turns to lesser-unknown athletes in relatively obscure sports:

“Did you catch that Belarusian biathlete who just missed the podium in the men’s 20-kilometre individual?”

“I can’t believe what happened to that Spanish skeleton-er!” (Skeleton drivers? What are they called?)

“The Icelandic pairs figure-skating short program was so compelling — it was heartbreaking when they botched that double lutz…”

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Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

SUPPLIED
David Greaves takes a selfie at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games bobsled track. A former bobsledder, Greaves is currently the executive director of the Jewish National Fund of Manitoba and Saskatchewan and president of the Israeli Olympic Bobsleigh Skeleton Federation.

‘I have chills just thinking about it’

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

‘I have chills just thinking about it’

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

MILAN — You’ll likely remember the Jamaican bobsled team that dropped jaws and turned heads at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, eventually inspiring the movie Cool Runnings.

Well, there may be a new contender for a Hollywood sequel at the Milan Cortina Games here in Italy — and, go figure, a Winnipegger is front and centre. He’s even got a title picked out, just in case.

David Greaves, executive director of the Jewish National Fund of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, is also president of the Israeli Olympic Bobsleigh Skeleton Federation. And for the first time, Israel has defied long odds and qualified a team to compete in Olympic bobsled.

“The Yiddish word for synagogue is shul. So this is becoming the ‘Shul Runnings,’” Greaves told the Free Press on Friday with a hearty laugh.

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Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

FRANK GUNN / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Ste. Anne’s Jocelyne Larocque (left) is suiting up for her fourth Olympic games. Saturday’s matchup will serve as the round-robin opener for Team Canada after illness in Finland’s locker room postponed the Thursday clash until Feb. 12.

Last minute changes to Canada’s Olympic hockey quests

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Last minute changes to Canada’s Olympic hockey quests

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

MILAN — The winds of change were blowing hard Thursday around the Canadian Olympic hockey teams.

The culprit: illness and injury.

It began with word that Canada’s women’s team would have to wait an extra 48 hours to hit the ice for its opening round-robin game. Their scheduled opponents, Finland, had been decimated by norovirus, which is commonly referred to as a stomach flu.

The first case was reported Tuesday night, but the nasty bug spread quickly. By Thursday morning’s scheduled skate, only 10 Finnish skaters had been cleared to play, with the remaining 13 either confirmed sick or quarantining due to symptoms.

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Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

FRANCOIS GUAY PHOTO
Long track speed skater Tyson Langelaar had a career 2025 following a 2024 campaign that was derailed by a partially torn hip flexor.

Silver linings aplenty for Langelaar after missing Olympic berth

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Silver linings aplenty for Langelaar after missing Olympic berth

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Friday, Jan. 16, 2026

Tyson Langelaar was a fan of James Bond movies growing up. The spy series a staple for him on plane rides.

This 007, however, did not capture the Winnipeg-born speed skaters’ heart — it broke it.

One of the most agonizing results of Langelaar’s career came recently at the Canadian Olympic speed skating trials in Quebec City, where he saw his dream of representing Canada at next month’s Olympic Games in Italy instantly melt away.

Langelaar, who needed a top-two finish in the men’s 1,500-metre event, finished in third with a time of 1:46:883. The difference between him and second-place Daniel Hall was a fraction of a skate blade or, more accurately, seven hundredths of a second.

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Friday, Jan. 16, 2026

Colin Corneau / BRANDON SUN FILES
Brandon native Darren Granger, along with his son Chase, carries the Stanley Cup into the Wheat Kings Hockey School barbeque back in 2014. The Los Angeles Kings equipment manager had the Cup for the day and let the locals have a look.

The unsung playmakers of Olympic hockey magic

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Preview

The unsung playmakers of Olympic hockey magic

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

As the country’s top hockey talents celebrated their selection to the Canadian men’s national team that will play at next month’s Olympic Games in Milan, a pair of Manitobans knew their spots with the team were already secure.

Darren Granger and Kurt Keats aren’t household names like the players and coaches who make up Team Canada: Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Josh Morrissey, or head coach Jon Cooper, to name a few.

That’s because Granger and Keats’ work is done away from the cameras and the spotlight, in locker rooms and offices. Make no mistake, though, they have become equally important to Team Canada’s quest for gold.

Granger is the team’s head equipment manager, while Keats is one of two managers of hockey operations.

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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

February 15, 2026

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