Byline: Kathleen Carson
Credit: Holly McNeill

With the Stanley Cup fast-approaching, let’s look back on some of the NHL’s top talent who made a splash at the Canada Winter Games.

Nathan MacKinnon

The Colorado Avalanche centre made his debut at the Canada Games representing Nova Scotia in 2011 where he finished with 8 goals and 3 assists. MacKinnon was later drafted first overall by the Avalanche in 2013 and won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2014.

Other notable Avalanche players to compete at the Games include Shane Bowers (NS), Ryan Graves (NS), Mark Barberio (QC) and Nazim Kadri who won gold on a stacked Team Ontario alongside...

Steven Stamkos

The young Ontarian competed in the 2007 Canada Games where he finished as the 4th in scoring with 11 goals and 4 assists. After helping his team take home Gold at the Games, Stamkos was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning at first overall in 2008. Tampa’s captain has won the Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer twice so far in his career.

Talk about stacked; the 2007 Ontario team also included Adam Henrique, Cory Hodgson and 2018-19 Stanley Cup champions Michael Del Zotto and Alex Pietrangelo. In 2011, Team Ontario gave us another cup contender in Vancouver Canucks centerman Bo Horvat.

Bo Horvat

After making his debut at the 2011 Canada Games, Horvat was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks 9th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft.

Facing off against Horvat in Round 2 just happens to be the next guy on the list.

Shea Theodore

Theodore represented British Columbia at the 2011 Canada Games where he helped his team secure the Gold medal. Before being drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 1st round of the 2013 NHL Draft, Theodore played for Team Canada’s under-18 team during their 2012-13 season, and won the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships. He is currently a defenceman for the Vegas Golden Knights.

And last but not least....

Jordan Eberle

After winning Bronze for Team Alberta at the 2007 Canada Games, Eberle was drafted 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2008 NHL Draft.