Lead
On Dec. 31, 2025 in Minneapolis, St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington was notified he is one of three netminders selected for Team Canada’s roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Binnington, emotional when he received the call, said the selection motivates him to redouble his focus with the Blues in the run toward the Olympics. Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings) and Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals) round out the trio. Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong described the group as having the right components to chase gold.
Key takeaways
- Jordan Binnington was named one of three goalies for Team Canada’s Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic roster on Dec. 31, 2025.
- Binnington is the only carryover from Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off-winning squad and went 3-1-0 at that event with a 2.37 GAA and .907 save percentage, including 31 saves in the 3-2 OT final vs. the U.S.
- Darcy Kuemper (35) joins the group after a 2022 Stanley Cup-winning season and a 2025–26 line of 10-6-6, 2.19 GAA, .917 save percentage and two shutouts in 23 games.
- Logan Thompson, a 2023 Stanley Cup champion (VGK), is 15-10-3 this season with a 2.33 GAA, .915 save percentage and two shutouts in 28 games; he has recorded 46 wins across the past two seasons, the most among Canada-born goalies in that span.
- Binnington’s 2025–26 numbers are 7-9-6, 3.44 GAA and .870 save percentage in 23 appearances, but selectors emphasized his international performance and past playoff resume.
- Doug Armstrong and coach Jon Cooper consulted closely with goaltending coach David Alexander, who played a significant role in the final choice.
- Hockey Canada scheduled an Olympic orientation camp for Aug. 26–29 in Calgary, offering early preparation ahead of the Games.
Background
Team Canada’s selection process prioritized a mix of international experience, recent form and playoff pedigree. The management group evaluated a broad pool of candidates; Armstrong noted that while statistical form matters, performance in international settings and decisive moments carried considerable weight. Binnington’s Stanley Cup win in 2019 and his role in Canada’s 4 Nations title last February were decisive credentials that counterbalanced a dip in his regular-season numbers.
The NHL-to-Olympics pathway this season is shaped by timing and availability: Milano Cortina 2026 returns NHL talent to the Olympic stage, altering club-season workloads and introducing roster-management questions for teams like the Blues. Goaltending depth has been a focal point for Hockey Canada, aiming to assemble three complementary starters rather than relying on a single frontrunner.
Main event
When Binnington received the phone call confirming his selection, he described an emotional reaction after speaking with family and friends, then pivoted quickly to a commitment to “dig in” for both the Blues and Team Canada. He emphasized trusting the process and continuing to play his game as the season progresses. The announcement was made public Dec. 31, 2025, after internal discussions among management and coaching staff.
Armstrong, who also serves as St. Louis Blues GM, framed Binnington’s inclusion as a choice rooted in past performance at international events and playoff success, acknowledging the goalie’s uneven regular-season statistics but stressing context: some nights Binnington has faced defensive lapses that affected his numbers. Armstrong said the goaltending discussion was surprisingly straightforward for the group selecting the roster.
Kuemper and Thompson bring their own credentials: Kuemper, a 2022 Stanley Cup champion with Colorado, was cited for steady form and veteran presence; Thompson, who was part of Vegas’s 2023 Cup team though sidelined by injury in that postseason, earned his spot through sustained success over the past two NHL seasons. Team Canada’s staff pointed to complementary skill sets and experience as reasons for the three-man tandem.
Analysis & implications
For Binnington, the Olympic nod is both personal validation and a potential momentum swing. International duty can reframe a player’s season — the intense, short-window tournament format often favors goaltenders who can regain confidence under high stakes. If Binnington carries strong form into Milan, it could rehabilitate his season narrative and influence St. Louis’s approach to roster and defensive adjustments.
At the team level, Canada’s decision to pair two recent Stanley Cup winners with a 4 Nations stand-out suggests a preference for goalies who have demonstrated performance in playoff or international pressure situations. That blend offers Tournament-makers an option set: veteran steadiness (Kuemper), recent domestic form and durability (Thompson), and a goaltender with prior international chemistry (Binnington).
There are also implications for NHL clubs. Clubs hosting Olympians must plan for absence, recovery and travel logistics; the Blues will weigh Binnington’s Olympic workload against their midseason objectives. Additionally, using an orientation camp in Calgary (Aug. 26–29) signals Hockey Canada’s intent to establish systems and cohesion well before the Games.
Comparison & data
| Goalie | Team | 2025–26 Record | GAA | SV% | Shutouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Binnington | St. Louis Blues | 7-9-6 (23 GP) | 3.44 | .870 | — |
| Darcy Kuemper | Los Angeles Kings | 10-6-6 (23 GP) | 2.19 | .917 | 2 |
| Logan Thompson | Washington Capitals | 15-10-3 (28 GP) | 2.33 | .915 | 2 |
The table highlights a disparity between Binnington’s regular-season numbers and those of his Olympic counterparts, notably in goals-against average and save percentage. However, short tournaments often reward timely peak performance rather than season-long aggregates; Binnington’s 4 Nations numbers (3-1-0, 2.37 GAA, .907 SV%) and his 31-save championship outing against the U.S. were influential in selection discussions.
Reactions & quotes
Below are representative, concise remarks from those involved and their immediate context.
“I was moved and I was excited and I was emotional.”
Jordan Binnington
This reaction came after Binnington received the roster call and spoke with family and friends; he framed the selection as motivation to continue improving with the Blues.
“We believe in those three we have the proper components (for a gold medal).”
Doug Armstrong, Team Canada GM
Armstrong explained the management group’s confidence in the trio, noting the selection was collaborative and that goaltending coach David Alexander’s evaluations carried significant weight.
“He deserved it … there’s no way they’re not taking you.”
Drew Doughty on Darcy Kuemper
Doughty’s brief reaction, sent after the announcement, reflects a teammate’s endorsement and underscores Kuemper’s standing in the Kings’ locker room.
Unconfirmed
- Final line-by-line playing time plans for each goalie at Milano Cortina 2026 have not been released; starting rotations remain to be determined by staff and in-tournament performance.
- Long-term effects of Logan Thompson’s March 2023 injury on his Olympic availability and stamina are not detailed in public reports.
Bottom line
Team Canada’s goaltending trio — Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson — combines international experience and recent championship pedigree. The selection privileges playoff and tournament performance as much as, or more than, season-long statistics, signaling Hockey Canada’s emphasis on composure and situational reliability at Milano Cortina 2026.
For the Blues and the NHL, the decision introduces short-term roster management questions and a potential narrative reset for Binnington if he converts Olympic opportunity into renewed confidence. Fans and clubs should watch orientation-camp outcomes and early tournament ice time for clues about who will shoulder the bulk of Canada’s netminding responsibilities.