Vancouver Canucks’ Conor Garland Poised for Career-Changing Moment After IIHF Heroics—Olympic Opportunity on Horizon
Conor Garland’s name is suddenly echoing far beyond Vancouver. After a standout performance at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, the Vancouver Canucks forward is reportedly on the radar for a massive international opportunity—one that could reshape his career and national legacy.
Garland, who hails from Scituate, Massachusetts, has flown under the radar for much of his career when it comes to international representation. Despite his talent and productivity in the NHL, the 28-year-old hadn’t previously donned a Team USA jersey in any major event outside the IIHF World Championship. Surprisingly, he was never called up for the IIHF World Juniors or any other junior-level Team USA squad. But this spring, that narrative took a dramatic turn.
Garland represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship held in Sweden and Denmark. It was his third appearance in five years at the prestigious tournament, but this one proved to be the most impactful yet. The U.S. team made history, securing their first gold medal in the competition in 92 years—and Garland was instrumental in that success. Over the course of 10 games, he racked up 10 points and earned “Player of the Game” honors multiple times, cementing himself as a key contributor and a trusted asset for Team USA.
That breakout performance is now opening new doors.
According to veteran NHL insider Rick Dhaliwal, Garland may be among those invited to USA Hockey’s Olympic Orientation Camp later this summer. Speaking on The People’s Show on Sportsnet 650, Dhaliwal stated that Garland has caught the attention of USA Hockey officials and could be in serious contention for a spot on the 2026 Winter Olympics roster.
The Olympic Orientation Camp is scheduled for late August in Plymouth, Michigan. Though there won’t be any on-ice sessions, the camp will be a critical step in narrowing down Team USA’s talent pool for the Winter Games. USA Hockey confirmed the orientation camp would serve as a way for the coaching staff and management to meet, evaluate, and begin formalizing their Olympic roster selections. Specifics about the invitees and structure of the camp are expected to be released later this summer.
For Garland, this represents more than just another invite—it could mark the pinnacle of his hockey journey to date. Given that he’s already made a strong case at the World Championship, an Olympic call-up would be a validation of years of effort, quiet consistency, and a relentless work ethic that’s often flown under the radar in the NHL.
Should Garland receive an invitation to the camp, he’d join other high-profile American players in competition for limited roster spots. So far, Team USA has announced just six names officially locked in for the 2026 Winter Olympics: Quinn Hughes (Garland’s teammate on the Canucks), Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, and Charlie McAvoy. That leaves several slots still up for grabs—and Garland might be closer than ever to seizing one.
Interestingly, Quinn Hughes’ selection was hardly a surprise. The Vancouver captain continues to be one of the most elite defensemen in the NHL and has become a central figure in the Canucks’ leadership group. His inclusion on Team USA’s early Olympic list gives the Canucks organization a potential Olympic duo if Garland joins him.
Garland’s Olympic prospects aren’t the only Canucks storyline worth watching. If USA Hockey opts for a large camp group—perhaps including 30 to 40 players—it could open the door for other Vancouver players like Thatcher Demko and Brock Boeser to also earn invitations. Demko, in particular, has been a standout goaltender in recent seasons and would be a logical candidate for consideration.
But it’s Garland’s journey that resonates most strongly with fans and analysts alike. A gritty, undersized forward who’s fought his way to prominence without the fanfare often afforded to top draft picks or junior team alumni, Garland’s rise is a testament to perseverance and clutch performance. At 5-foot-10, he has never let his stature define him, instead relying on high-end vision, smart positioning, and relentless effort to make his mark.
While the Canucks failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season, Garland and a few others took the opportunity to keep skating by representing their countries. For Garland, that choice may now lead to the most significant opportunity of his professional life.
Should he make Team USA’s Olympic roster, Garland would head to the 2026 Winter Olympics—set to begin in February—where Team USA will open play against Latvia on February 12 at 12:10 p.m. Pacific Time. The matchup will mark the beginning of the Americans’ quest for gold in what is expected to be one of the most competitive Olympic hockey tournaments in years, especially with the NHL returning to participate after previous absences.
For Garland, the chance to compete in the Olympics would be about more than medals or accolades. It would be a personal triumph, a long-overdue acknowledgment of his skill, and a dream fulfilled on hockey’s grandest stage.
As the summer unfolds and Olympic camp invitations begin rolling out, all eyes will be on whether Conor Garland’s name is on that list. Based on his recent international heroics, there’s every reason to believe it should be.
