Overview
- Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed Bennett as Cirelli’s official replacement for Milan–Cortina 2026.
- Cirelli was hurt on Feb. 1 after a hard center-ice hit by Boston’s Mark Kastelic in the Stadium Series and did not return.
- Bennett left Monday’s Panthers game with an upper-body issue that team and media reports characterize as not serious, and he is expected to be available.
- The Panthers forward brings recent pedigree with a 4 Nations Face-Off title, back-to-back Stanley Cups, the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy, and 19 goals with 42 points in 55 games this season.
- Canada continues to monitor other roster questions involving Brayden Point, Logan Thompson, Brad Marchand and Devon Toews, leaving room for further changes before the tournament.