Brad Marchand’s Olympic gold bonus highlights Team Canada’s real motivation
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Jonathan Ouimet
Feb 16, 2026 (0:21)
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Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Brad Marchand, Team Canada, and the Olympic medal bonus are colliding with one problem, his injury is real, but his pride looks even bigger.
The money talk around Milano Cortina 2026 always feels awkward in hockey. NHL stars do not chase medals for a pay day.
Still, cash is part of the story now that the numbers are public. And it lands differently when you attach it to a guy like Marchand.
Canada’s medal bonus is straightforward through the Canadian Olympic Committee. Gold pays $20,000, silver pays $15,000, and bronze pays $10,000.
That is meaningful for a lot of Olympians. For most NHL players, it is basically a souvenir cheque.
The USA Today angle also matters because it shows how wide the gap is worldwide. Team USA sits mid-pack at $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze.
So yes, Canada’s bonus looks modest beside that. It also proves the point that this is not why Marchand laced them up.
Marchand came into the break banged up, and it followed him into the tournament. Reports out of Milan say he missed two straight Team Canada games while still practicing.
Brad Marchand treats Team Canada as a privilege
Canadian fans love the chaos he brings, but they also get anxious fast when the “undisclosed” label shows up in February.
Even at less than 100 percent, Marchand plays like the jersey is a responsibility. That pride is the whole point of best-on-best, and he’s never been shy about how rare that spot is.
On the ice, he was still producing before the break. He has 25-25-50 in 45 games this season with Florida, which is not depth scoring, it is real impact.
If Marchand returns for the knockout round, the bonus will be the last thing on his mind. He will be chasing moments, not money.
And if Canada wins gold, the cheque will be a footnote. The real payout is getting to be there at all, wearing that maple leaf when it finally counts.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 16|40 ANSWERS Brad Marchand’s Olympic gold bonus highlights Team Canada’s real motivation Will Brad Marchand’s injury affect Team Canada’s gold medal push? | ||
| Yes | 15 | 37.5 % |
| No | 25 | 62.5 % |
| List of polls | ||