Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, who won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2016 World Championships, has expressed regret over his decision not to play in the tournament the following spring.
In 2017, a young Toronto Maple Leafs team had recently been eliminated in six games by the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Rielly`s friend and teammate, Mitch Marner, opted to join Team Canada in France under head coach Jon Cooper. That year, Canada secured a silver medal after a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Sweden in the championship game.
Although Rielly was part of Team North America at the 2016 World Cup, his trip to Russia for the 2016 Worlds as a 22-year-old marked his last time representing Canada on the international senior stage.
The star blueliner stated that, looking back, he would accept the invitation from Hockey Canada for the 2017 tournament.
“I didn’t go. And that’s one of my biggest regrets, not going,” Rielly shared during an interview held while Toronto was in their second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers.
He highlighted the value of the tournament as an opportunity, particularly for younger players. He also noted how the desire to play internationally “ignites again” for older veterans like Ryan O`Reilly, Sidney Crosby, or Marc-André Fleury, who seek to return and compete overseas. “That`s cool,” he added.
The roster for Canada at the 2025 World Championships features a blend of savvy veterans such as Jordan Binnington, Travis Konecny, Bo Horvat, and MacKenzie Weegar, alongside the next generation of potential Olympians like Macklin Celebrini, Kent Johnson, and Noah Dobson. This tournament is the final top-level international competition before NHL players return to the Olympic Games in February 2026.
The commitment shown by respected leaders like Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, who chose to extend their seasons to play despite not needing to audition for the 2026 Olympic squad, speaks volumes.
Rielly commented on these players: “All those guys you named have that reputation of being great teammates and having a passion for the sport and competing and what it takes to be successful in the sport.” He emphasized his personal experience, stating, “Playing for Canada at the men’s world is really special.” He recalled his first year, 2014, when he debated whether to participate, calling that hesitation “foolish” now because “it’s an incredible honour.”
“I ended up going, and I was very glad I made that decision,” Rielly said. “But it’s just an incredible opportunity. And you can tell that it’s not lost on guys who have been around for as long as those guys have. It’s a great experience and a special feeling as an athlete.”
Given the high-profile players at the worlds in Stockholm this month, the absence of 2023 first-overall draft pick Connor Bedard is notable. Bedard did play for Canada in 2024 after his rookie season, contributing five goals and eight points as Canada finished fourth, and was invited back for the 2025 team.
However, Bedard declined Hockey Canada`s invitation. This decision was made by Bedard himself, not by the Chicago Blackhawks organization.
Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson commented on the situation: “But I thought it was a really mature decision on his end to take care of himself, make sure he’s prepared and putting himself in the best position to succeed moving forward. He’s going to have a lot of those opportunities moving forward, to compete for Canada.” Davidson added, “We support him.”
Rielly also recalled being “pretty envious” of fellow defenseman Ryan Murray receiving an invitation to the World Championships in their draft year. He highlighted the benefits of playing: “It’s a cool opportunity to meet new guys and play with different guys and build relationships with coaches.” He specifically mentioned building relationships with staff like Leafs GM Brad Treliving, who was part of their team staff. “So, you start those relationships, and you have that experience together, and hopefully, you win. But even if you don`t, it’s a good experience.”
Rielly acknowledged that the appeal of the World Championships tends to be stronger among European players, partly due to the time difference and the Stanley Cup Playoffs being underway in North America.
He suggested that hosting the tournament in a non-NHL Canadian city like Halifax or Quebec City could create a unique experience and potentially boost its popularity domestically. Reflecting on his 2016 trip to Russia, he somewhat wished he had extended his visit into a vacation rather than flying back immediately with his father.
Rielly believes that positive experiences shared by past participants are encouraging more players to consider joining. “I can see that guys want to go, and I think the ease in that decision has increased because of the experience that guys like myself had,” he stated.
He concluded by reflecting on his memorable gold medal win: “We went to Saint Petersburg and Moscow when we won. That’s some of my fondest memories in my life. And to have that chance is special. And hopefully the popularity of the tournament in Canada grows.”
