For Thomas Harley, the opportunity to represent his country at next month’s Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is as good as gold.
When representatives of Team Canada’s men’s hockey program unveiled their 25-man roster on New Year’s Eve, Harley, 24, was selected as one of eight defenceman – the same group defending the blueline at last season’s 4 Nations Face-Off – to don the iconic red and white jersey in Milan.
It will mark the second straight year the Dallas Stars blueliner suits up for Canada on the world stage.
Last year, Harley was named an injury replacement for the 4 Nations Face-Off and went on to help his country capture the championship title. He recorded an assist on the opening goal in Canada’s 3–2 overtime win over the United States in the final and was one of just two players on the roster born after 2000.
The experience – beyond winning gold – was a game-changing one for the 18th overall pick of the Stars in the 2019 NHL Draft.
“I learned that I could play and succeed at the highest level. That it wasn’t too fast, or too skilled for me.”
Harley was born and raised in Syracuse, New York ,to Canadian parents, making him a dual citizen of Canada and the United States. Some of his fondest childhood recollections in the Empire State unfolded away from traditional hockey arenas.
“The best memories I have growing up were whenever we got to play was on an outdoor rink,” he recalled. “It only happened maybe three times growing up, so it was always special.”
Eventually, Harley had to decide where his national team allegiances would lie. He ultimately chose to play for Canada.
Long before he had the chance to play on the international stage, Harley wore his national pride on his sleeve, literally and figuratively.
“I was raised as a Canadian. I grew up wearing Canada jerseys with my siblings.”
He also endured some good-natured ribbing about his choice.
“I’ve taken flak from my teammates for being Canadian,” he said with a laugh.
Growing up in a family that worked in the medical field – his dad, Brian, was an orthopedic surgeon, and his mother, Stephanie, was a pharmacist – Harley briefly debated studying medicine but ultimately decided that elite hockey was the right route.
At 15, Harley moved to Ontario to continue pursuing hockey, playing AAA in Toronto before being drafted by the Ontario Hockey League’s Mississauga Steelheads.
Harley is no stranger to wearing the maple leaf. He first represented Canada with Team Canada Black at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, followed by a fourth-place finish at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championship. He earned his first medal with the U20 team, bringing home silver at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship while also leading that tournament with a plus-14 rating.
Harley spent his first three pro seasons splitting time between the AHL and NHL. In 2020–21, he led the AHL in goals by a defenceman.
He joined the Stars at the end of the 2022-23 season and helped the Central Division club make their first of three Western Conference Final appearances.
The honour to represent Canada is not lost on Harley, who will have his own cheering section in Italy – including one of his most devoted supporters.
“I’m looking forward to another chance to wear the maple leaf,” said Harley. “And I am also looking forward to playing in front of my grandmother, who is a very proud Canadian.”
Just like her grandson.
Men’s Olympic ice hockey starts on Feb. 11, 2026, with Team Canada's first game the next day against Switzerland.
Feature photo courtesy of Getty Images
