Canada is an ice hockey powerhouse.

The Canadians have long dominated international competition. Ice hockey has been an Olympic event since 1920. Of the 23 times men’s ice hockey had been contested at the Olympics before 2026, Canada won the gold medal nine times.

Team Canada is usually the betting favorite, but it tends to struggle when NHL players are barred from the competition. NHL players were banned from the 2018 and 2022 Olympics, when Canada finished third and sixth, respectively.

Still, even though the Canadians missed out on the two most recent gold medal games before the 2026 Winter Games, it wasn’t long ago that they were standing atop the podium.

Here’s a look at the last time Canada won the gold medal in Olympic hockey.

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When was the last time that Canada won the gold medal in Olympic hockey?

Canada last won the Olympic gold medal for men’s ice hockey in 2014. This is notable because that was the last year that NHL players were permitted to play in the Winter Games before they were banned from both the 2018 and 2022 Olympics. They were allowed again in 2026. 

Canada went undefeated in the group stage, winning two matches in regulation and winning their third in overtime. They had a bye into the quarterfinals of the tournament and matched up with Latvia. Canada won 2-1, which set up a massive game against the United States. The Canadians won 1-0, and then advanced to the gold medal came where they beat Sweden 3-0. Jonathan Toews, Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz all scored goals in the win. 

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When was the last time that Canada played in the gold medal game?

The last time that Canada played in the gold medal game was in 2014, when they won against Sweden. The win marked the second consecutive Olympic gold medal for the Canadians, who beat the United States to win in 2010. 

The last time that Canada played in a gold medal game and didn’t win it was in 1994. That year, Sweden got the win and took the gold medal which relegated Canada to the silver medal. 

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Canada Olympic hockey history

Here is a look at how Canada has fared in Olympic hockey.