Olympic Bound: Travis Sanheim to Represent Canada in 2026 Winter Olympics

Philadelphia Flyers’ defenseman Travis Sanheim is officially bound for the Winter Olympics. After months of speculation, the Canadian roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics has officially been announced, and the Flyers’ workhorse defenseman has made the cut.

This is the first time since 2014 that NHL players have been allowed to play in the Winter Olympics.

Sanheim was, in a way, a breakout star for Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off last season. Initially brought in more as a depth defender, injuries paved the way for Sanheim to get playing time, which eventually found him in some big spots.

Even in the Gold Medal Game, Canadian head coach Jon Cooper trusted Sanheim as the defenseman to start 3-on-3.

Now, Sanheim will be joining head coach Rick Tocchet, who is on Cooper’s staff as an assistant coach, in Milan for the Olympics.

This season, the Elkhorn, Manitoba, native has 3 goals and 17 points in 38 games with a +4 rating. He has been averaging a career-high 24:38 minutes of ice time a game.

Men’s preliminary games begin on February 11th at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy. Travis Sanheim and Canada will take on Czechia on February 12th.

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