There are few positions in sports more wrought with expectations than that of a Canadian Olympic hockey player. Entering the winter Olympics, there is only one standard: gold. Thankfully, entering Milano Cortina 2026, Canada boasted a roster more than worthy of those lofty expectations. With NHL players returning to the games for the first time since 2014, Canada’s Olympic roster features superstar names such as Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mitch Marner.
Marner, a three-time NHL All-Star, is competing in what has been his first Olympics, despite his veteran status within the league. Ahead of his trip to Italy, we caught up with the 28-year-old winger to discuss the pressure of representing Canada on the biggest stage, how his fuelling and nutrition have evolved over the course of his career, playing alongside Canadian legend Sidney Crosby, and how his dog, Zeus, helps ground him amidst the biggest moments of his hockey career.
“I know Four Nations was technically an “exhibition,” but I think everyone watching it knew it wasn’t an exhibition. It was the pride of playing for your country and wanting to win. So yeah, it’ll be different now being over there, but I think I got a pretty good preview of what the intensity will be like.”Mitch Marner
We’re just around the corner from your Olympic debut. How’s your mind feeling? How’s your body feeling?
I’m excited. It’s something I’ve dreamt of my whole life. I’m excited to get to Milan and see our team. I know a lot of the guys from the Four Nations already and have played with others at junior levels for years, so [we’re] starting with a lot of chemistry.
You mentioned the Four Nations tournament, but also, you’re stepping into a different environment now. It’s a different stage. What’s the difference in expectation level or pressure when it comes to representing Canada on the Olympic stage?
I think I’m going to look at it as just another opportunity to play hockey. It’s obviously a massive tournament, obviously there [are] a lot of skilled players. But I thought that’s what I did with the Four Nations, in terms of just grounding it in hockey, and I felt good about it. […] Of course, we have high expectations as a team, and as a player, you have high expectations for yourself, but I’m just going in with the mindset of it being an opportunity to play the game I love. And I know Four Nations was technically an “exhibition,” but I think everyone watching it knew it wasn’t an exhibition. It was the pride of playing for your country and wanting to win. So yeah, it’ll be different now being over there, but I think I got a pretty good preview of what the intensity will be like.
How did last year’s tournament help you guys in terms of chemistry?
It definitely does. It definitely gives you a bit more help with the formations and the details of the game. It also helps that the coaching staff is the same. Obviously, when you mention chemistry, we all just got along so well, which is good, because you have to mesh quickly in [these] tournaments. You have to learn how to vibe with teammates and get on the same page with linemates. It’s hard to fake that. But thankfully, we just have such a great group of guys. I think we’re all just so ready to build off of that.
“I think most guys on the team grew up wanting to be Sid. He’s really the image of Canadian hockey. He would never say that. He’s just “team, team, team.” But I think it’s pretty remarkable for all of us to share this stage with him.”Mitch Marner
We talked to William Nylander previously, and he talked about the pressure of playing on big stages, whether it’s a Toronto playoff game or Olympic gold. He gave his dogs so much credit for grounding him. Ahead of moments like this, what does [your dog] Zeus bring to you?
Oh, man — in so many different ways. I always say that dogs just pick up on your emotions throughout the day. I think, as athletes, after a tough game, you just want to go home, sit by yourself in a dark place, and relax. But dogs just know when to make their presence known, right? I come home, and he’s waiting there. He doesn’t know what’s going on outside. He doesn’t know if I won or lost. He just wants time with me. Usually, after a game, my wife and son are asleep. So, I’ll grab Zeus some of his Nulo snacks to make sure he’s getting his proteins, refuel myself, and just unwind.
You mentioned fuelling yourself. Obviously, this being your Olympic debut doesn’t mean you’re not a league veteran. How has your nutrition evolved throughout your career?
I feel like early in my career, my biggest struggle was keeping the weight on throughout the season, just through the grind of travel and the flow of games. And then, you know, you’re just younger – you don’t know what proper nutrition looks like. And I think through the last six or seven years, I’ve really found a way to not only fuel me through the season but also recover. Recovering properly is something that a lot of younger guys don’t understand right away. But making sure I’m eating foods that get me the most sleep, that is going to strengthen me, that is going to allow me to play longer, it’s huge. And it’s something that I think about when it comes to my teammates or my family or Zeus. That’s why I’ve been working with Nulo — I want him to feel his best every day, like me.
I’m curious, obviously, it’s a decorated team. You have a lot of peers around your age group, but you also have some iconic veterans as well. Was there anyone on the team in particular who stood out as bucket list teammates or linemates?
Haha, well, I think everyone’s answer is probably going to be the same. That’s [number] 87. At least every single forward would kill to play beside Sid[ney Crosby]. I mean, every single defenceman would, too. I think most guys on the team grew up wanting to be Sid. He’s really the image of Canadian hockey. He would never say that. He’s just “team, team, team.” But I think it’s pretty remarkable for all of us to share this stage with him.
