Off The Podium - An Olympics Podcast · Ben Waterworth, Colin Hilding & Jarrod Loobeek

Episode 523 - OTP Newscast 27

·1 hr 42 min·5 clips

Colin reveals why Connor McDavid and a new generation of Canadian NHL stars are hungrier than ever for Olympic gold.

This episode of Off The Podium focuses on the recent announcements of ice hockey rosters for the 2026 Winter Olympics and other Olympic news. Hosts Ben and Colin Hilding are joined by returning guest Jamie Lyall. The hosts discuss the men's rosters for Team USA and Team Canada, which are stacked with NHL players like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid for Canada and the Tkachuk brothers and Auston Matthews for the USA. They note Sweden and Finland have also named their NHL-heavy rosters. ESPN graded Canada's team an A- and the USA's a B+, with analysis suggesting the American roster was constructed specifically to beat Canada. The conversation touches on notable omissions, including Patrick Kane from Team USA. The hosts also cover the announced U.S. women's roster, featuring players like Aerin Frankel, and mention Finland and Japan have named women's teams while Canada has not. They briefly discuss the Russian and Belarusian athlete situation, with IOC member Kirsty Coventry stating they will remain as neutral athletes even if a peace deal occurs. The episode concludes with a quirky story about four Israeli winter athletes potentially being barred due to a national passport law. A key insight is the significance of this being the first Olympics with NHL players in over a decade, creating a "new generation" of players eager for their chance. The discussion contrasts the nostalgic story of Sidney Crosby seeking a third gold with Connor McDavid's quest for his first major international victory. The hosts observe that ice hockey, unlike basketball, maintains a strong international tournament culture, citing the fanaticism around the World Juniors. They also note the unique commitment of the NHL to pause its season for the Olympics, something unlikely in leagues like the NBA. The popular Canadian TV show "Heated Rivalry," which has gained international attention, is humorously suggested to be loosely based on a Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin fan fiction premise. The tone is casual, humorous, and conversational, filled with friendly banter about hockey rivalries and lighthearted jabs at each other's teams and countries. The style is news-driven but digressive, weaving in personal anecdotes and tangential pop culture references. Olympic hockey enthusiasts and fans of NHL stars will love this episode for its detailed roster analysis and anticipation for the 2026 tournament. Listeners seeking a strictly structured news summary or those with no interest in ice hockey might skip it, as the episode heavily centers on that sport.

As heard by us

A focused Olympic newscast that keeps the medal picture clear.

This Olympic newscast opens the 2026 winter Games conversation with a tidy mix of jersey chatter, national pride, and ski talk. The real center is women's free ski halfpipe, where Indra's rise, Naomi Ernest's lead, and Eileen Gu's status as reigning gold medalist are all treated…

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Why you'd press play

If you want Olympic chatter with real medal stakes, this is your lane.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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