According to Statistics Canada, there are exactly 455 people living in the town of Elkhorn, Manitoba, Canada.
It’s safe to say just about every one of those 910 eyes will be focused on television sets around 10:40 a.m. (Eastern time) Thursday.
This is because they could be watching their favorite son, Travis Sanheim, competing for Team Canada against Team Czechia in the 2026 Winter Olympics at Milano-Cortina, Italy.
Sanheim, the longest-tenured defenseman on the Flyers, was listed as an extra on Canada’s eight-man backline roster. But there’s a good chance he will see action along the way in this tournament.
“It’s just exciting to be going there and experiencing everything with it,” Sanheim said. “Then just getting focused and ready to play.”
There’s a chance Sanheim could be going against one of his Flyers teammates, goaltender Dan Vladar, one of three netminders on the Czechia roster.
“I think it’s going to be high-end hockey, competitive, fast-paced,” Sanheim said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
It’s well-documented that Sanheim has been dreaming about the Olympics since he was a kid.
“You dream about it but I don’t know if it ever sets in that I would make it,” Sanheim said. “First, you’re trying to make the NHL, that’s your goal. Playing against the best of the best (in the Olympics), you never really thought about it too much but now that it’s here and you realize who you’re playing with and against, it’s really going to set in.”
Sanheim will be joined on the Canada roster by fellow defensemen Drew Doughty (Los Angeles), Thomas Harley (Dallas), Cale Makar (Colorado), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Colton Parayko (St. Louis), Shea Theordore (Vegas) and Devon Toews (Colorado).
It’s basically the same D-corps which represented Canada in last year’s 4 Nations tournament. Sanheim played alongside Doughty, Parayko and Toews at various times throughout that competition.
The Flyer veteran backliner isn’t concerned about playing time. He just wants to be ready when his name is called.
“When I get there I’ll find out and it will be whatever the team needs,” Sanheim said.
Hockey action actually gets underway Wednesday. Finland is scheduled to play Slovakia in the morning. The Flyers’ third representative to these games, defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, will be competing for Finland.
Sanheim plays in all situations with the Flyers. That might change a bit with the Canada assignment but he just wants to contribute when called upon.
“I feel comfortable I can step in at any spot,” he said.
Will there be a watch party back in Elkhorn?
“I’m not sure what’s going on,” Sanheim said with a grin. “I’m trying to keep my focus on what’s ahead.”
At least Sanheim’s family, including wife Alex, will be there in person when he does get into action.
The excitement level should be high. Canada is favored to win another gold medal.
“It’s something that not a lot of people get to do,” Sanheim said. “It’s special. It’s like competing in the playoffs for a Stanley Cup. I just want to soak it in and do my best.”
Sanheim is a big advocate of neck protection and players of his ilk are pleased to see that neck guards will be mandatory for these Olympics.
It’s his hope this experience will have a carryover effect for some players.
“I’m interested to see when guys come back (to the NHL), if they continue wearing it or not,” Sanheim said. “Maybe it will come down to comfort level. The tournament is about 10 days. I’m sure the players will feel comfortable with it.”
Bringing home a few converts to neck guards would be nice.
Bringing home a gold medal to Elkhorn would be downright special.
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