Jordan Binnington’s body of work keeps him in Canada’s Olympic net

By Canadian Press on December 31, 2025.

Jordan Binnington will be back in Canada’s Olympic goaltending mix despite a difficult NHL season, with two new faces joining him.

Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper were the other two goalies named to Canada’s men’s hockey roster for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games on Wednesday. That left Adin Hill and Samuel Montembeault — Binnington’s crease-mates in the 4 Nations Face-Off — off the roster.

“When we selected all the players, we look at their recent play, and we look at their resume, and Jordan Binnington’s resume speaks for itself,” said Canada general manager Doug Armstrong at a news conference. “Talking to the coaches and the management, that was the one thing that surprised me a little bit with the group, was that his name never came up as a question mark.

“I think what everyone saw from him at the 4 Nations cemented his legacy for this tournament.”

These Olympics will be Binnington’s fifth time representing Canada in international hockey.

The native of Richmond Hill, Ont., helped Canada win the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, earning a 3-1-0 record, including a memorable 31-save performance in a 3-2 overtime win over the United States in the final.

Although Armstrong said Binnington’s inclusion on Canada’s Olympic team was never in doubt, the St. Louis Blues goaltender didn’t want to get ahead of himself.

“My initial reaction when I signed up, found out, and talked to some family and friends, is that I was moved and I was excited and I was emotional,” said Binnington after the Blues’ morning skate. “As much as you say you don’t think about it, I’m sure in your subconscious it’s there.

“I’m definitely excited to continue on the process here and just play my game.”

Armstrong said that NHL play was also a factor in the selection process, but Binnington’s career-long accomplishments for Canada and the Blues outweighed his performance in St. Louis so far this season.

Binnington has a 7-9-6 record with a 3.44 goals-against average and a .870 save percentage, well below his career averages of a 2.82 GAA and .905 save percentage. He is the Blues’ all-time leader in wins (180) and games played (359).

But, as St. Louis team president and general manager, Armstrong said that Binnington’s below-average numbers this season are also his responsibility.

“I don’t think the St Louis Blues have put a product in front of him that we should be proud of,” said Armstrong. “And so he’s a byproduct of how we play on some nights.”

That’s one of the reasons Armstrong said he’s confident in Thompson and Kuemper as part of Canada’s goaltending group.

Thompson has a 15-10-3 record with a 2.33 GAA, a .915 save percentage and two shutouts in 28 games for the Washington Capitals this season. The Calgary native is tied for third in the NHL in save percentage and fourth in goals-against average among goaltenders with at least 20 games played.

Kuemper has a 10-6-6 record for the Los Angeles Kings so far this season with a 2.19 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Something of a journeyman, the 35-year-old product of Saskatoon has played for five NHL teams, winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.

“I think Logan, statistically, has been maybe the top Canadian goaltender over the last couple of years,” said Armstrong. “He was very close last year (to making) the 4 Nations. All he’s done since then is play exemplary hockey, and Darcy has a great resume. He’s got the Kings in a good spot. He’s a Stanley Cup champion.

“We believe in those three; we have the proper components.”

Hill (Vegas Golden Knights), Montembeault (Montreal Canadiens) and the Colorado Avalanche duo of Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood were all candidates to make the team, but Armstrong said that picking goaltenders was one of the easier decisions Canada’s management team had to make.

“It would have looked like a goalie camp if we had brought all the players that we had on our list at that time (during orientation camp),” Armstrong said, adding that goalie coach David Alexander took the lead on selecting that position. “I’m going to say, as a management group, we didn’t spend a lot of time talking about the goaltending, but that group was extensive, and we believe that the three that we named have earned that right.

“We’ve told the others that you never know what happens with injuries, and to stay prepared.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 31, 2025.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press