MILAN – Sidney Crosby was not on the ice for Canada’s optional practice Thursday ahead of the men’s hockey semifinals at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
The 38-year-old captain was injured early in the second period of Wednesday’s thrilling 4-3 overtime victory versus Czechia when his right leg bent in an unnatural direction after taking a hit from defenceman Radko Gudas.
Crosby got back to his skates, but wasn’t moving well before taking more contact along the boards from Gudas and Czech forward Martin Necas.
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The three-time Stanley Cup champion then made his way to the bench and eventually the locker room, and did not return to the action. Crosby helped Canada top the podium at the 2010 and 2014 Games.
Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Cale Makar and Devon Toews were also absent from the heavily-attended skate.
Canada faces Finland in Friday’s semifinals, while the United States takes on Slovakia. The gold medal game goes Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first reporter Feb. 19, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press