It occurs once every four years but is one of most important tournaments in hockey: the Olympics.

Canada is looking to win gold once again, although this year’s edition will feature a team void of NHLers but still an impressive group nonetheless.

With the opening ceremonies of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics just days away, we’ve also included some of the OMHA alumni competing over the coming weeks.

As previously highlighted, playing other sports in the off-season helps to build a complete overall athlete and learn new skills. We want to wish these athletes and all of Team Canada the best of luck in going for gold this winter!

Cam Stones (Whitby)

Stones started off as a rugby player before transitioning over to bobsleigh at 22 years old. He had three top-10 finishes during the World Cup season. Stones graduated from McMaster University in 2015 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. His team placed 12th in the 2018 Olympics.

Sport: Bobsleigh

Graham Ritchie (Parry Sound)

Ritchie balanced skiing and playing hockey during the winter growing up in Parry Sound and still enjoys playing outdoor hockey during the summer months. Ritchie competed at his first FIS World Championships in 2021 where he posted an impressive seventh-place finish in the team sprint as part of the only under-23 team in the final. 

Sport: Cross-Country Skiing

Throughout the decades there have been a number of OMHA alumni who have represented Canada at the Winter Olympics. Let's take a trip down memory lane at some famous names (and some you may not be familiar with) who have been members of the men's hockey team.

Chris Lee (Parry Sound)

Helping to man a blueline that won bronze at the 2018 Olympics, Lee was part of the group of non-NHLers to don the maple leaf. He played five seasons with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL, winning the Gagarin Cup in 2014 and 2016.

Fred Etcher (Oshawa)

Etcher still holds the record for the most points (9 goals, 12 assists) in a single Olympic tournament, accomplishing the feat in a silver medal performance in 1960. He is also tied for the record of the most assists in a single Olympic tournament.

Joe Nieuwendyk (Oshawa)

Part of the first contingent of NHLers to play in the Olympics, Nieuwendyk tied for the team lead in scoring. Despite the team’s disappointing fourth place finish, Nieuwendyk would be a part of the redemption team in 2002.

Danny O'Shea (Ajax)

One of the top scorers on a bronze medal squad of 1968, O'Shea would go on to enjoy a five year NHL career and was a two-time All-Star with the Minnesota North Stars.

Corey Perry (Peterborough)

A staple of the Canadian Olympic lineup, Perry's offensive contributions were crucial in the team's gold medal run in 2010 in Vancouver. He chipped in five points in seven games, including a goal in the final game.