Travis Sanheim’s dream came true at noon on Wednesday, when the Flyers defenseman was named to Team Canada’s roster for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Games in February.
Hockey Canada’s general manager Doug Armstrong revealed the team at a press conference. Sanheim is in an eight-man defense corps that includes Los Angeles’ Drew Doughty, Dallas’ Thomas Harley, St. Louis’ Colton Parayko, Colorado’s Cale Makar and Devon Toews, Vegas’ Shea Theodore and Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey.
During a 3 p.m. Zoom call with media from Calgary, Sanheim said he was happy to receive the telephone call from Armstrong, even though it came around 8 a.m. after he didn’t get to bed until around 2 a.m. following the team flight from Vancouver.
“Not a lot of sleep,” he said with a smile. “I was aware a potential phone call was coming. Just the excitement level and receiving that, what it means to represent your country and be a part of something like the Olympics, it’s (OK) for a sleepless night to get a phone call like that.”
The 29-year-old put himself in position to be named to the Olympic roster after he competed in last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, which Canada won.
“The skill, the speed, what little space there was to generate in,” Sanheim said of the international competition. “I expect much the same at the Olympics. I think just being able to play at that level, compete and show that I belong meant a lot moving forward. It made me feel like I could be a part of the Olympic team, just continue to get better. I’m really looking forward to the next challenge.”
The Elkhorn, Manitoba, native was selected by the Flyers in the first round (17th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In nine seasons, he has played in 617 NHL games with 57 goals and 230 points. He’s tied for fourth in the Flyers’ all-time points list for defensemen, behind Mark Howe, Eric Desjardins and Kimmo Timonen.
This season, he has played in all 38 Flyers games with three goals, 17 points and a plus-4.
His Flyers teammate on the 4 Nations roster, Travis Konecny, was left off Canada’s Olympic lineup.
Sanheim looks forward to getting started. Wednesday, he had a chance to look back. Obviously he’s proud of what he’s accomplished.
“I’m not the type of person to really reflect on that,” he said. “And yet I was watching video of myself today, just sitting there proud as can be that I was one of those names named.
“Just looking back a couple years and where my career’s kind of come. Never thought this day would happen. Just goes to show the work, the dedication that I’ve had and put into this game. … Just trying to get better each and every day. I feel I can continue to grow my game. To be able to play in the Olympics is really special. Something I never thought was possible.”
In a Dec. 6 interview, Sanheim said playing in the Olympics is something he’s dreamed about since he was a kid.
“It’s definitely a dream,” Sanheim said. “It’s one that you think is pretty farfetched. I think first and foremost you want to make the NHL and that’s your ultimate goal.
“But actually I think the Olympics are kind of on the next level. That’s the best against the best, and being able to represent your country. So definitely something that a lot of kids dream about.”
Sanheim was asked how cool would it be to play for a gold medal. Pittsburgh superstar Sidney Crosby, who scored the winning goal in overtime for Canada in Vancouver at the 2010 Games, has said that rated right up with his three Cup titles.
“Just to be able to play at that level, play against the best players in the world and play with the best players in the world, just that experience alone would be something that’s very valuable,” Sanheim said.
Sanheim will be playing for his Flyers coach, Rick Tocchet, who will serve as one of Canada head man Jon Cooper’s assistants. That should make things a bit easier. Sanheim played for Tocchet at 4 Nations.
“Having played 4 Nations, you kind of build those relationships up,” Sanheim said of the Canada staff for Milan-Cortina.
Technically, Sanheim will be working directly with Canada assistant and defense boss Peter DeBoer, a coach with plenty of NHL experience.
No doubt DeBoer will want to take advantage of Sanheim’s skating speed, his ability to make quick decisions on the fly and his conditioning to log big minutes.
“It’s an ability to play a 200-foot game, to play against top guys,” Sanheim said. “And yet still contribute offensively, make plays with the puck. That’s something I’ve really worked hard at to get better at. It’s nowhere near perfect but being able to make plays under pressure can really help.”
Tocchet believes Sanheim has the right stuff to make his country’s elite squad.
“I think it’s huge to make the Olympic team,” Tocchet said. “Everyone wants to make money and all that sort of stuff. But when you put on a Canadian jersey or an American jersey or whatever, it is special.”
