5 hockey players that should go to the Olympics for Team Canada

4. Cale Makar

Despite being just a year after his rookie season, Cale Makar is the defenseman on everyone’s minds when thinking of Team Canada. After winning the Calder in the 2019-2020 season, he had an impressive year in the 56 game season with the Avalanche. He’s simply made an impression on the NHL and that’s why, despite being only 22, he’s on everyone’s projected list to be on Team Canada.

He might not bring veteran experience, but he has experience on the international stage as a winner of the World Juniors 2018. He also rehabilitated his college hockey team from almost nothing on pure talent alone. We know he can bring something to the Olympic team as well. He’s already proven himself as a leader on the ice for the defensemen on the Avalanche, and I think he will do the same for the Olympics.

Despite the shortened season, Makar earned 44 points, ranking him #4 on the Avalanche, tied with Andre Burakovsky. He scored 8 goals and 36 assists in the regular season and 2 goals and 8 assists in the playoffs, where the Avalanche got to round two. He’s a strong defenseman and player, and the Olympics will not only benefit from his experience in college hockey and in the NHL, but it will also give Makar experience to bring to the Avalanche.