Olympic hockey: Canada rout France 10-2 to secure top seeding

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published February 16, 2026

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Canada closed the men’s preliminary round at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a dominant 10-2 victory over France in Milan, tightening its grip on the tournament’s top seed as the competition moved into the knockout phase.

Reuters reported Canada finished the preliminary stage with maximum points and a goal difference strong enough to rank first overall, with the United States second. Under the format, the three group winners plus the best second-place team advance directly to the quarter-finals.

Teenager Macklin Celebrini scored twice, while Tom Wilson, Devon Toews, Mark Stone, Cale Makar, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Bo Horvat and Brandon Hagel also found the net, after France briefly drew level early before Canada pulled away.

The game featured a rare Olympic fight late in the third period between Wilson and France’s Pierre Crinon, with both players ejected.

Coach Jon Cooper said Canada’s focus was on process and growth rather than the scoreboard, as the Games mark the return of NHL players to Olympic men’s hockey for the first time since 2014.

Canada is set to face either Denmark or Czech Republic in the quarter-finals, while France heads to a qualification playoff after a winless group stage.