Team Canada Fears Crosby's Olympics Injury May End His Tournament

Head coach Jon Cooper provides worrisome update on Penguins star's lower-body injury sustained against Czechia.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Sidney Crosby suffered a concerning lower-body injury during Canada's narrow 4-3 overtime win against Czechia at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper expressed uncertainty about Crosby's status for the semifinal and gold medal match, saying the team didn't want this to be the 34-year-old's last game at the Olympics.

Why it matters

Crosby is a cornerstone of the Canadian men's hockey team and his potential absence would be a major blow to their gold medal hopes. The injury raises questions about the durability of aging NHL stars participating in the Olympics and the challenges of managing player health on the international stage.

The details

Crosby was visibly shaken up after taking hits from Radko Gudas and Martin Necas in the second period. Despite fighting through the pain, the Penguins star eventually had to be pulled from the game. Coach Cooper said Crosby "just thought he wasn't in a position to help the team for the rest of the night" due to the lower-body issue.

  • Crosby was injured in the second period of Canada's 4-3 overtime win against Czechia on February 18, 2026.
  • Canada advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

The players

Sidney Crosby

A 34-year-old veteran forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins and a key member of the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Jon Cooper

The head coach of the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Radko Gudas

A Czech defenseman who hit Crosby in the second period, contributing to the Penguins star's injury.

Martin Necas

A Czech forward who also hit Crosby in the second period, further aggravating the Penguins star's lower-body injury.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't want this to be Sid's last game at this Olympics. It was a big motivator for the guys coming out. You just rarely see it, and so for him, something definitely went wrong. But he just thought he wasn't in a position to help the team for the rest of the night. And we'll reevaluate after that.”

— Jon Cooper, Team Canada head coach (NHL.com)

“I don't even have my poker face on either, because I honestly don't know. Couldn't come out for the third, but he did address the players, and I think that was a big thing coming in. If we lose this game, we didn't want this to be Sid's last game at this Olympics. So it was big motivator for the guys coming out.”

— Jon Cooper, Team Canada head coach (NHL.com)

What’s next

The status of Sidney Crosby's injury will be reevaluated ahead of Canada's semifinal match at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

Crosby's potential absence due to injury raises concerns about the durability of aging NHL stars participating in the Olympics and the challenges of managing player health on the international stage. Canada will need to find new ways to replace Crosby's production and leadership if he is unable to play in the semifinal and gold medal match.