Here’s the Team Canada Olympic athletes who call Nova Scotia home

CITYnews halifax/ By Natasha O’Neill

Four out of the five athletes from Nova Scotia at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games are hockey players.

The other is a snowboarder.

Nova Scotia is home to some of the most iconic winter Olympians, including one of the province’s most beloved players, Team Canada Captain, Sidney Crosby.

The veteran Olympian — and golden goal getter — has been on the team since the Vancouver 2010 games, bringing the country to the top of the podium for the second time, but the first as captain in 2014.

His hometown is Cole Harbour.

Growing up playing in the same Cole Harbour arenas as Crosby, is teammate and first-time Olympian, Nathan MacKinnon.

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The star was named the most valuable player of the 4 Nations Face-Off, in part for scoring the game-winner against Finland, landing Canada in the final against Team USA.

In 2022, MacKinnon helped the Colorado Avalanche lift the Stanley Cup.

A veteran in professional hockey, but set to make his first Olympic debut, is Hammond Plains native Brad Marchand.

Kicking off his international career in the IIHF World Champions, Marchand would step away from world play for nearly a decade until the 4 Nations’ Face-Off in 2025. He has more than 1,100 career games played in the regular season and has won several awards for aiding teams to win the Stanley Cup.

Nova Scotia’s Brad Marchand, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon smiling with the first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off trophy and medals. (NHL)

Representing women’s hockey in Nova Scotia is Blayre Turnbull, who’s returning to the 2026 Olympics as a two-time medalist.

The Stellarton homegirl has won silver at PyeongChang 2018 and gold at Beijing 2022. She has worn the maple leaf since 2010, representing the country at a U18 national program.

“(She) had her Olympic dream sparked while watching Salt Lake City 2002; until then, her goal had been to play in the NHL, but watching Team Canada’s women win hockey gold changed everything,” the Team Canada website reads.

Turnbull plays in the Professional Women’s Hockey League for the Toronto Sceptres and is the team’s first captain.

The youngest Nova Scotian athlete at the games is snowboarder Liam Moffatt from Truro.

Toronto Sceptres forward Blayre Turnbull (40) shoots to score a goal against Ottawa Charge goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer (38) during second period PWHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/CP)

He made his debut at Beijing 2022, where he placed 19th. Moffatt competed in the first mixed snowboard cross team alongside Tess Critchlow, finishing 9th.

According to the Team Canada website, he started skiing as soon as he could walk, but “fell in love” with snowboarding by the age of 7.

Opening ceremonies for the games kick off Feb. 6, but Team Canada athletes and their trainers and coaches are on the ground in Italy, mentally preparing for the start. On Wednesday, Canada’s Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman, a husband-and-wife team, open the mixed doubles curling tournament.

Men’s alpine skiing is also underway, with training scheduled. Traditionally, some sports start ahead of the opening ceremony due to scheduling demands.

Women’s hockey will start Thursday as Team Canada faces off against Finland.