2026 Olympics: listening to Doug Armstrong, Samuel Montembeault is not guaranteed to make the team

Earlier this year, Samuel Montembeault represented Canada at the 4 Nations Confrontation.Seeing him recognized as one of the top three goalkeepers in the country, though, was a nice recognition nonetheless.And with the Olympics just around the corner, seeing him among the three goalkeepers invited to Team Canada’s orientation camp is a good sign.In an interview with Sportsnet (and as reported by TVA Sports), Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong chatted a bit about the state of play for his team. And what’s clear is that the situation in front of the net is very, very fluid:
There are maybe eight or nine goalies fighting for those positions. It just didn’t make sense to invite that many.
–
Doug Armstrong
“There are probably eight or nine goalies fighting for three positions”, according to the GM
https://t.co/SunRkWqTcz–
TVA Sports (@TVASports) August 21, 2025
[content-ads]Armstrong explains that right now, the battle in front of the net is probably the most open within his team.Basically, just because a goalie hasn’t been invited doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a chance of making the team. Guys like Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson, for example, could be in there if they continue to excel, whileJordan Binnington is probably a little more assured of a spot, but Montembeault and Adin Hill could get a push in the back. If the Québécois wants to be there, then, he’ll need a strong start to the season to avoid having his spot stolen.Let’s see if that motivates him to reach another level in the first few months of the campaign.[spacer title=’Overtime’]- It’s true.
The #GoHabsGo 1st line is nowhere near as good as it’s been without Juraj Slafkosky on it… Full pod
https://t.co/puq5Ae4Izd#thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro @Antho_Martineau pic.twitter.com/XKzcZeUKPK
– The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) August 21, 2025
– Notice to those interested.
To see hockey at the Bell Centre in less than a month!
https://t.co/WH3MMJkamP
To see hockey at the Bell Centre in less than a month!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/WzSrIJLmxK– Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) August 21, 2025
– It’ll be interesting to follow her as
Victoria Mboko faces Barbora Krejčíková in the first round of the U.S. Openhttps://t.co/1zzHxupH8B–
RDS (@RDSca) August 21, 2025