Connor McDavid: Exceeding Expectations on the Olympic Stage
The NHL’s brightest stars are currently competing at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, marking the first best-on-best international competition in 12 years. To provide an insider’s perspective, NHL.com has enlisted former Olympic players and hockey experts. Today, we hear from Curtis Joseph, a former NHL goaltender who represented Canada at the 1998 Nagano and 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, on the phenomenal performance of Connor McDavid.
As someone who has known Connor McDavid since he was a young boy, Joseph immediately recognized the significance of an Olympic gold medal for the superstar. “Everything,” Joseph states. “He’s waited his entire career for this.” From his very first shift, McDavid demonstrated unwavering focus, not with a flashy goal or assist, but with a resounding body check on Czechia defenseman Jan Rutta, immediately setting the tone for Team Canada.
A Message Sent: Gold-or-Bust Mentality
“When you saw that, it’s like ‘Wow, this guy is here to kick butt and take names,’” Joseph explains. “He’s not doing that on a January night in Columbus. But this is obviously different. This is gold-or-bust. This is everything.” McDavid’s dedication is palpable, and he’s not just meeting expectations – he’s surpassing them.
Joseph emphasizes McDavid’s exceptional talent, stating he’s not just a future Hall of Famer, but one of the greatest players to ever play the game. The opportunity to compete for a gold medal is a monumental achievement, one Joseph experienced firsthand in 2002 when Canada won its first Olympic gold in 50 years. “It’s kind of a feather in your cap,” he says, “And it’s especially so when you’re the kind of player like Connor.”
Dominating the Preliminary Round
Canada finished the preliminary round with a perfect 3-0 record, including a dominant 5-0 victory over Czechia. McDavid led the Olympics in points with nine (two goals, seven assists), boasting a +7 rating and showcasing some of the best hockey Joseph has ever witnessed. Canada faced Czechia again in the quarterfinal on Wednesday (10:40 a.m. ET; Peacock, USA, ICI Tele, CBC Gem, CBC, TSN).
A Prodigy From a Young Age
Joseph recalls knowing McDavid was special from a very young age, having watched him play alongside his son, Tristan, on the York-Simcoe team. Sam Bennett, also on Team Canada, was a teammate at that time. “When they stepped on the ice, even back then, there was no playing around,” Joseph remembers. “You could always see in Connor’s eyes how determined he was.”
Joseph reflects on what set McDavid apart even as a child. “Seeing Connor at that age, I got a new scouting report on what kids look like at that age who are going to make the NHL, let alone be the best player in the world.” He highlights McDavid’s creativity and ability to utilize his teammates, a trait often lacking in other talented young players. “Wayne Gretzky said at one time, the difference between ‘amazingly good’ and ‘greatness’ is creativity. And Connor had that in spades, along with speed, hands, feet, brain.”
A First-Hand Account of a Rising Star
Even during his own NHL career, Joseph was captivated by McDavid’s talent while watching him play minor hockey. He vividly remembers telling McDavid’s father, Brian, “This kid gets me out of my seat” every time he touched the puck. He even allowed the young players to practice shooting on him in his custom-built home rink, acknowledging that McDavid would undoubtedly win a rematch today.
A New Era: McDavid and Crosby
The opportunity to see McDavid play alongside Sidney Crosby at the Olympics is particularly special, representing a passing of the torch, although Crosby continues to perform at an elite level. Joseph draws parallels to Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, noting their ability to handle immense pressure with grace and leadership. “Leaders lead, and everyone else follows along,” he says. “It’s incredible.”
McDavid has come close to winning a Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers, reaching the past two Finals. Now, he’s focused on leading Canada to Olympic gold, a goal that clearly means everything to him. “All you need to do is to watch him be the best player in the world to see that.”
