Tyler Seguin and the NHL’s Lost Olympic Generation
It hurt then. It hurts a little more now.
Then, Tyler Seguin was just 21, a rising star, and the world felt boundless. The terms like “acetabular labrum” were foreign, and the COVID-19 pandemic was yet to unfold. His future seemed bright, filled with 40-goal seasons and the ultimate accolades, including a gold medal with Team Canada. Time and talent were his allies.
So, it was a sting when, at the age of 21, Seguin failed to make the 2014 Olympic team. The final decision was split-second, and despite his early success with the Dallas Stars, Seguin fell short. His friend, Jamie Benn, went on to claim gold in Sochi, Russia, instead.
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Seguin was still convinced his moment was coming. At 21, doubt doesn’t dwell. His confidence was unshaken; he thought he’d secure his spot in the history books. But time moved on, and so did his career.
“At that time, you’re still confident in yourself that you’re going to stay healthy and stay elite and be at the top of the league,” Seguin reflects. “You think you have another chance. Then all of a sudden, it’s 2025 and you realize you don’t have another chance.”
A Stellar NHL Career, a Missing Olympic Gold
Seguin’s sports resume is impressive. With 988 NHL games played, 360 goals, and 808 points to his name, he’s nearly reached the 1,000-game milestone. He has also participated in 133 playoff games, six All-Star Games, and claimed a Stanley Cup as a rookie.
Yet, one notable achievement remains elusive — an Olympic gold medal. At 39, the opportunity seems increasingly unlikely.
“Is there bitterness?” Seguin wonders. “You’d have to ask me again in 10 years. I’m still bitter about not making the World Juniors, but as far as the Olympics, I don’t know, you’ll have to ask me when I retire. But man, what an experience it would have been.”
The Lost Olympians
Seguin isn’t alone in this disappointment. Many elite NHL players have found themselves ineligible for the Olympics due to a series of unfortunate events. The 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, were marred by a dispute between the NHL and the International Olympic Committee. The 2022 Games in Beijing were overshadowed by the pandemic, preventing players from competing.
The 4 Nations Face-Off, commencing this week in Montreal and Boston, offers a glimpse into who might be in contention for the 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina. Notably absent from these hopefuls are some of the best players of recent years:
- Steven Stamkos
- Brent Burns
- Ryan O’Reilly
- Taylor Hall
- Claude Giroux
- Mark Scheifele
- Anders Lee
- Mikael Backlund
These players, among others, have strong World Championship and World Cup of Hockey credentials. Yet, an Olympic gold medal remains a distant dream.
The Impact of Olympic Glory
An Olympic gold medal can solidify a player’s legacy. Sidney Crosby’s golden goal in 2010 elevated him above many other illustrious players in NHL history. Carey Price’s performance in the 2018 Games also contributed to his status as a champion, despite not winning the Stanley Cup in Montreal.
“Playing in the driveway as a kid, you’re pretending to win the Stanley Cup,” O’Reilly points out. “The journey of that and how hard it is to do that, that’s why it matters the most. The Olympics is such a short tournament, so it’s different. But it’s truly best on best. That’s what makes it special.”
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The Olympic experience is more than just the medal. It’s the village life, the camaraderie with athletes from around the world, and representing one’s nation on the global stage.
“To be an Olympian is something so cool and different,” O’Reilly elaborates. “I’ve been lucky enough to still play a lot of international games, but it’s not the same. You hear the stories of guys just being in the village and getting to experience that, going to other events, it’s something that is just so cool.”
The Path to Milano Cortina
As the 2026 Olympics approach, players like Stamkos still hold out hope for a chance to compete. He played in the 4 Nations Face-Off, understanding it’s an audition for Milano Cortina.
“Who knows what could happen until it actually goes off next year?” Stamkos muses. “It would be great to prove myself worthy of consideration.”
Olympic results with NHL participation
| Year | Host | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1998 |
Nagano |
Czech Republic |
Russia |
Finland |
|
2002 |
Salt Lake City |
Canada |
United States |
Russia |
|
2006 |
Turin |
Sweden |
Finland |
Czech Republic |
|
2010 |
Vancouver |
Canada |
United States |
Finland |
|
2014 |
Sochi |
Canada |
Sweden |
Finland |
|
2026 |
Milan Cortina |
Frederik Andersen, the Hurricanes goaltender, embodies the dream of many. Born in 1987, Andersen idolized NHL players competing in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano. At 36, he’s making a final push for Olympic glory, playing for Denmark with the hope of representing his country in Milano Cortina.
