Sidney Crosby injury update: Canada men’s hockey captain not ruled out at Olympics
Sidney Crosby injury update: Canada men’s hockey captain not ruled out at Olympics
Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressThu, February 19, 2026 at 12:15 PM UTC
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MILAN — In the immediate aftermath of Sidney Crosby leaving a game because of injury, Jon Cooper said he didn't know Crosby's status and noted, "I don't even have my poker face on."
It was back on the next day, as Cooper declined to give a definitive answer on the status of Canada's men's hockey team captain, who did not partake in an optional practice on Feb. 19. However, Cooper did not rule him out for the remainder of the 2026 Winter Olympics, which at most would be two games. Canada plays a semifinal game against Finland on Feb. 20 at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Win that, and the gold medal game is next.
"We're taking this day by day, and we're not going to put anybody in harm's way," Cooper said. "But if he can play, he's definitely going to. We’ll know more again in 24 hours."
Canada's Sidney Crosby walks out to the ice before a men's hockey quarterfinal against Czechia.What happened to Sidney Crosby?
Canada needed overtime to advance out of a quarterfinal match against Czechia, and had to make do for more than half of it without Crosby.
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Crosby was injured on a hard hit from Czechia's Radko Gudas, with Crosby's right leg buckling as he went down. He was also crunched by Martin Necas. Crosby hobbled to Canada's bench, then down the tunnel, and did not return.
Instead, he addressed his teammates during the second intermission, when it was 2-2, essentially urging them to go get the victory.
"There was a lot more than that," Cooper said. "You know, he's a true leader."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sidney Crosby injury update: Canada’s hockey captain not ruled out at Olympics
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