Canada’s Josh Morrissey to miss gold medal game due to injury

One of Canada’s top blueliners will miss one of the biggest hockey games in recent memory.

When speaking to the media on Saturday, head coach Jon Cooper revealed that defenseman Josh Morrissey will not be in the lineup for Sunday’s gold medal game against the United States.

Morrissey has been out of action since suffering an undisclosed injury during the first period of Canada’s group-stage opener against Czechia. The Winnipeg Jets rearguard registered  7:10 of ice time across 13 shifts on the team’s second pair with veteran rearguard Colton Parayko.

Canada went on to win that game against the Czechs and has remained undefeated heading into the final game of the 2026 Winter Olympics. With Morrissey out of action, Dallas Stars defender Thomas Harley has filled in on the pair with Parayko and has played very well. The surprise from last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off has scored a goal and recorded three assists for four points in his five appearances in Milan, sitting second on the team in defensive scoring, trailing only Cale Makar. Harley has also registered a plus/minus of +1 while averaging 19:32 of ice time.

Morrissey was a shoo-in to make the Canadian Olympic team after his performance for his country at the 4 Nations last February. He wasn’t able to play in the championship game against Team USA due to illness. Canada went on to beat their southern rival in a thrilling overtime classic.

Canada is seeking a record 10th gold medal in men’s hockey at the Winter Games. The hockey powerhouse hasn’t finished atop the podium since Sidney Crosby led the nation to the gold in Sochi in 2014, the last time NHLers were allowed to participate in the tournament. They take on the Americans for the third time in the gold medal game, having beaten their southern rivals in 2002 and 2010. The U.S. is striving for a third gold medal in the sport and its first since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.

Puck drop for Sunday’s championship game is set for 8:10 a.m. ET.