Markham-born forward Mitch Marner has helped Canada through the preliminary round of the men's Olympic hockey tournament at Milano Cortina 2026 without a loss. Canada won all three of its group games, earning a bye straight into the quarterfinals, where it faces Czechia on Wednesday, Feb. 18, with puck drop set for 10:40 a.m. Eastern time, according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Marner, who now plays in the NHL for the Vegas Golden Knights, was born in Markham on May 5, 1997, according to his league player profile. He wears No. 93 for Canada in Italy.

A hand in two early goals

Canada opened the tournament on Thursday, Feb. 12, with a 5-0 win over Czechia. Marner set up the second goal when he drove to the net and made a backhand pass over a diving Czech defender to Mark Stone, his Vegas teammate, who scored into an open net. Macklin Celebrini, Bo Horvat, Nathan MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki also scored, and Jordan Binnington made 26 saves for the shutout.

The next day, Canada beat Switzerland 5-1. Marner set up the fourth goal with a hard pass down low that Sidney Crosby redirected past the Swiss goaltender. Connor McDavid and MacKinnon each had a goal and two assists, Celebrini and Thomas Harley also scored, and Logan Thompson made 24 saves.

A lopsided finish against France

Canada closed out the group on Sunday, Feb. 15, with a 10-2 win over France. Celebrini scored twice, and Tom Wilson, Devon Toews, Stone, Cale Makar, Crosby, McDavid, Horvat and Brandon Hagel added one each. Marner played but did not score. Binnington made 12 saves.

Crosby's goal against France gave him 15 career Olympic points, passing Jarome Iginla for the most by a Canadian in the NHL era of the Olympic Games, the committee said.

What comes next

Wednesday's quarterfinal is a rematch of Canada's opening game against Czechia. A win would send Canada to the semifinals on Friday, Feb. 20. The bronze-medal game is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21, and the gold-medal game for Sunday, Feb. 22.

Marner is not the only athlete with Markham roots to make news at these Games. Unionville's Paul Poirier won ice dance bronze with partner Piper Gilles on Feb. 11.