Two Team Canada members officially out of the lineup for quarterfinal game

The top contender to win the men's hockey gold medal at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, Team Canada, announced that two players won't be able to help the team on the ice today as the nation enters the elimination rounds.

Indeed, Canada will face Team Czechia on Tuesday morning to clinch a ticket to the semifinals and were on the ice earlier today to prepare for the crucial game.

Now, reports have confirmed that these two players won't be in uniform.

On X, Elliotte Friedman confirmed the news that Sam Bennett and Josh Morrissey won't play today.

He added that Karel Vejmelka, Jiri Tichacek, and Radek Faksa won't play for Team Czechia:

The news hit like a blindside hit in open ice. Both players stayed late on the practice surface to get extra work in, but the medical staff isn't budging. Canada loses a massive chunk of grit and a steady hand on the blue line in one go.

Bennett brings that heavy, playoff-style edge that makes life miserable for opposing centers. Losing him means Canada's bottom six just lost a lot of grit.

He's exactly the kind of pest you want in a win-or-go-home game against a disciplined Czech group.

Morrissey is another massive loss for Canada. He's been a workhorse for the Winnipeg Jets, playing over 24 minutes a night and moving the puck with elite precision. Without him, the transition game might look a little clunky when the Czechs start their trap, but considering how the team performed without him already, it shouldn't be an issue for today.

The depth is there, but chemistry is a fickle thing in a short tournament. You don't just replace a top-pair defenseman and a physical force like Bennett so easily.

Canada's coaching staff will trust Travis Sanheim to take Morrissey's spot on the blue line, while many players will have to step up to replace Bennett.

Stay tuned for further updates on the Florida Panthers players currently competing in the Olympics.