Thomas Harley: From Late Replacement to International Star
MILAN – The confidence of Thomas Harley was palpable. It resonated in his words and actions during Team Canada’s Group A preliminary round game against Team Switzerland at Santagiulia Arena. Leading 1-0, a slick pass from Connor McDavid to Harley resulted in a goal, extending Canada’s lead to 2-0. “Unsurprisingly, he saw me, put it on my tape,” Harley remarked after the 5-1 victory. “I kind of flubbed the shot, but it went in, so I’ll take it.”
For the 24-year-old defenseman, scoring for his country, especially with the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on the horizon, is a dream come true. “Scoring goals is always fun,” Harley said with a smile. “Scoring goals in the Olympics is that much better.”
A Whirlwind Journey
Harley’s path to this point hasn’t been conventional. He wasn’t initially on Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off last season and was preparing for a vacation when he received the call to Montreal as an emergency replacement. The day before facing the United States, he was kept separate from Cale Makar, who was battling illness. When Makar couldn’t play, Harley stepped into a high-stakes rivalry game, blocking three shots in 18:17 during a 3-1 loss.
He continued to impress in the championship game against the US, assisting on a goal and blocking two shots in a 3-2 overtime win. Peter DeBoer, then Harley’s coach with the Dallas Stars, believes this experience was transformative. “It was almost like a switch flipped within him, like, ‘Hey, I can play at this level with these guys and be effective,’” DeBoer explained. “When he came back, he was at a different level.”
NHL Success and Olympic Dreams
Harley’s performance after the 4 Nations Face-Off was remarkable. He recorded 18 points in his first 16 games for Dallas and finished the 2024-25 regular season with career highs in goals (16), assists (34), and points (50) in 78 games. He continued to shine in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, adding 14 points in 18 games.
Now, Harley is a key part of Team Canada, having been named to the full Olympic roster on December 31st. With 23 points in 45 games for Dallas this season, he’s proving his worth. Coach Jon Cooper highlights Harley’s “quiet confidence” and exceptional skating ability. “He’s headsy. He knows where to go, where to be, and he’s got a little snarl into his game. So, you like that about these guys, and he was a no-brainer for us.”
Comfort and Confidence
This time around, Harley is fully integrated with the team, enjoying the experience from the start. “Yeah, a little more comfortable with it,” Harley said. “A little more settled, so that’s nice. I can practice with the guys, so that’s good.” He’s already made an impact, with two assists in a 5-0 win against Team Czechia before his performance against Switzerland. Canada has secured a bye into the quarterfinals.
Harley acknowledges the increasing intensity of the tournament. “I played against the U.S. twice, and that was kind of the best of the best of the best,” he said. “Czechia and Switzerland are very good teams, but they’re not quite there. But I think as this tournament continues and gets better, it’s going to become very similar [to 4 Nations in terms of speed].”
Praise from Peers
Harley has impressed his defensive partner, Drew Doughty, a seasoned veteran and Olympic gold medalist. “I love playing with him,” Doughty said. “He’s still pretty young. He’s got a lot of hockey left in him. He’s just good at everything. He’s sound defensively, good at breaking pucks out, can score. He’s a great player.”
Even his Dallas Stars teammate, U.S. goalie Jake Oettinger, recognizes Harley’s talent. “I don’t think anyone was really surprised last year when he jumped into that 4 Nations team for him,” Oettinger said. “It’s something that we see every day, the confidence. He’s obviously really skilled, really smart, so it’s not surprising to see him thriving with guys like that.”
You can find more information about the Olympic Winter Games at Olympics.com.
