These Maritimers are representing Canada at the Winter Olympics

Fans hold up a giant Canadian flag on Monday, June 4, 2007. (CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson)

The Winter Olympics officially kick off on Friday in Italy.

As athletes gather to take part in the multi-site opening ceremony, these Maritimers will be sporting the maple leaf.

Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby, from Cole Harbour, N.S., will represent Canada as part of the men’s hockey team in Milan. A two-time Olympian, Crosby won back-to-back gold medals in 2010 and 2014.

One of his most memorable career moments was scoring the Golden Goal in overtime against Team USA on home ice in Vancouver.

Crosby is one of only two players on the team with previous Olympic experience. If they win the gold in Italy, they will become the first Canadian men’s hockey players to win three gold medals in their careers.

Nathan MacKinnon

Nathan MacKinnon, from Cole Harbour, N.S., will make his Winter Olympics debut as he joins Crosby on the men’s hockey squad.

The Colorado Avalanche assistant captain has previously represented Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, IIHF World Championship and the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Brad Marchand

Brad Marchand, from Hammonds Plains, N.S., is joining his fellow NHLers on the ice in Milan.

This will also be Marchand’s first Winter Olympics appearance. The former Boston Bruins captain has previously worn the maple leaf at the 4 Nations Face-Off, IIHF World Championship, the World Cup of Hockey and the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Team Canada’s men’s hockey team will play their first game on Feb. 12 against Czechia.

Blayre Turnbull

Blayre Turnbull, from Stellarton, N.S., will be one of four alternate captains for Canada’s women’s hockey team in Milan.

A two-time Olympic medallist, Turnbull won gold in Beijing and silver in PyeongChang. Captain of the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres, Turnbull has also worn the maple leaf at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, where she has won three gold, four silver and one bronze medal.

Team Canada’s next game is against Switzerland on Saturday.

Liam Moffatt

Milano Cortina 2026 will be Liam Moffatt’s second Winter Olympic appearance. From Truro, N.S., Moffatt placed 19^th individually at Beijing 2022 and ninth in the mixed team snowboard cross event.

Moffatt has competed in the FIS World Cup, the FIS World Championships, and the FIS Junior World Championships.

In 2020, Moffatt was given the Neil Daffern Award for Excellence by Canada Snowboard.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston shared a social media post wishing the athletes good luck.

“Your hard work, discipline, and dedication make Nova Scotia proud. We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way as you represent Canada on the world stage,” reads the post.

Brett Gallant

Brett Gallant, from Charlottetown, P.E.I., is representing Canada on two teams at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The 35-year-old curler will compete with his wife, Jocelyn Peterman, in mixed doubles and will curl as the second stone on the men’s team.

Zack Bell, P.E.I.’s minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture, extended his best wishes to Gallant as he represents the country.

“Brett’s outstanding accomplishments in curling continue to highlight his world‑class performance and the teamwork required to compete at this level of sport,” reads a news release from the province.

Rikki Doak

Rikki Doak, from Fredericton, N.B., is appearing in her first Winter Olympics and is the only rookie on the women’s short track speed skating team.

Doak has won gold in the 500m at the World Cup gold medal and won silver in the same event at the ISU World Short Track Championships.

Courtney Sarault

Courtney Sarault, from Moncton, N.B., is also representing Canada on the short track.

She made her Olympic debut at Beijing 2022 as a member of the women’s relay team that finished fourth. She made it to the B final in the women’s 1500m and was a quarterfinalist in the women’s 1000m.

She’s also won gold in the 3000m relay at the ISU World Championships and silver in the 3000m, 1500m, and 1000m events.

Short track speed skating begins on Feb. 10 in Milan.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says it’s a proud moment to see athletes representing the province at the Winter Olympics.

“As they compete on the world stage, they carry with them the support and encouragement of people back home who will be cheering them on, every step of the way,” said Holt in a news release.