Golden Knights Coach Bruce Cassidy Leads Team Canada at 2026 Olympics

Cassidy returns to Italy, where he played hockey over 30 years ago, to coach for gold medal.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy is leading Team Canada's charge for a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Cassidy previously played hockey in the small Italian village of Alleghe for three seasons in the late 1980s, and is looking forward to returning to the region, though he expects his focus to be more on the hockey than sightseeing this time around.

Why it matters

Cassidy's experience playing in Italy decades ago gives him unique insight into the cultural and logistical challenges that the Canadian Olympic team may face, which could give them an advantage in adapting to the Olympic environment and focusing on their goal of winning gold.

The details

Cassidy was an 18th overall draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1983 but only played 36 NHL games due to a knee injury. After winning a championship in the International Hockey League in 1990, he signed with the Alleghe Hockey Club in Italy, playing 88 games over three seasons. Cassidy says his best memories from that time were off the ice, as he had to adapt to the Italian culture, language, and daily rhythms that were very different from North America.

  • Cassidy played in Italy from 1990 to 1993.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Italy.

The players

Bruce Cassidy

The head coach of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, who is serving as an assistant coach for the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Chicago Blackhawks

The NHL team that drafted Cassidy 18th overall in 1983.

Alleghe Hockey Club

The Italian professional hockey team that Cassidy played for from 1990 to 1993 after leaving North America.

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What they’re saying

“The geography was unbelievable; I was in the mountains more, where Cortina is in the mountains, half an hour from there, where the skiing is. I didn't ski, obviously, wasn't allowed, you're playing hockey, but I was around it enough, and it's beautiful that part of it. I'm looking forward to getting back and seeing a little bit of that, but I don't know how much you'll see from there in Milan. It's going to be a work trip more than anything, so the touristy part for me, unfortunately, I don't think will happen, but I don't mind that.”

— Bruce Cassidy, Golden Knights Head Coach (fox5vegas.com)

“Adaptability, teams that adapt, you hear about the rink and the size of the dressing rooms, the teams that adapt and go over there and take care of hockey and not worry about the amenities that they'd have here during the season will probably be better off to be perfectly honest, that's how I see it. Getting around, the timing, all that stuff changes from what I've heard and I've been there, so I think there will be some snafus in those areas. That's something with the players we'll try and get them focused on, not worrying about the little things, just worrying about the task at hand.”

— Bruce Cassidy, Golden Knights Head Coach (fox5vegas.com)

What’s next

Cassidy and Team Canada will travel to Italy in the coming weeks to begin preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where they will compete for the gold medal.

The takeaway

Cassidy's prior experience playing in Italy gives him unique insight that could help the Canadian Olympic hockey team adapt to the cultural and logistical challenges of competing in the 2026 Winter Games, allowing them to stay focused on their goal of winning the gold medal.