Canada's NHL Stars Opt for Luxury Hotel Over Olympic Village

Team Canada aims to maximize comfort and performance ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Canadian men's hockey team has decided to forgo the traditional Olympic Village accommodations during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, opting instead to stay at a five-star hotel. This decision reflects the team's desire to provide their NHL stars with the best conditions to maximize their chances of winning gold. Unlike Canada, the U.S. men's hockey squad will maintain the longstanding tradition of living in the Olympic Village alongside thousands of fellow athletes.

Why it matters

The move by Team Canada signals a strategic prioritization of rest and comfort for the players, who are under significant pressure to perform. By allowing players more individualized preparation in a luxury hotel setting, the team hopes to provide an environment conducive to peak performance. This approach could influence future Olympic teams' residence choices, especially when professional athletes with demanding schedules are involved.

The details

Goaltender Logan Thompson addressed concerns about the hotel choice, emphasizing the team's focus on performance rather than disrespecting tradition. General Manager Doug Armstrong also clarified that this is not unprecedented, as players have stayed outside the village in previous Olympics. Meanwhile, Team USA's players are embracing the social experience offered by the Olympic Village, with forward Matthew Tkachuk reflecting positively on the communal aspect.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milano Cortina, Italy.
  • The Canadian men's hockey team made the decision to stay at a five-star hotel instead of the Olympic Village.

The players

Logan Thompson

Goaltender for the Canadian men's hockey team.

Doug Armstrong

General Manager of the Canadian men's hockey team.

Matthew Tkachuk

Forward for the U.S. men's hockey team.

Sidney Crosby

NHL superstar and member of the Canadian men's hockey team.

Connor McDavid

NHL superstar and member of the Canadian men's hockey team.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think we're doing it as an insult or anything like that. We want to win gold, and we want to give ourselves the best opportunity to do so.”

— Logan Thompson, Goaltender (theconwaybulletin.com)

“They've stayed with their families. They have a room in the village, they have a room provided by the NHL and NHLPA outside there. I think this has sort of grown a life of its own. This is no different than the tournaments we had before. We just wanted to give our players that option to stay where they're most comfortable to prepare for the games.”

— Doug Armstrong, General Manager (theconwaybulletin.com)

“I've had some great times hanging out with the rest of the athletes, playing cards, watching the other Olympians. It's been just an unbelievable experience.”

— Matthew Tkachuk, Forward (theconwaybulletin.com)

What’s next

As the tournament unfolds, observers will watch closely to see if Canada's hotel accommodation strategy impacts their play on the ice compared to traditional village experiences embraced by competitors like the U.S.

The takeaway

The decision by Team Canada to bypass the Olympic Village and stay in a luxury hotel signals a strategic prioritization of player comfort and performance over the traditional communal experience. This approach could set a precedent for future Olympic teams, especially those with professional athletes, as they seek to optimize their chances of success.