Tom Wilson Made Team Canada But Not Sam Bennett: Why?

When Canada revealed its Olympic team, a few picks raised eyebrows. One in particular was curious: Tom Wilson over Sam Bennett. On paper, they’re both big, physical forwards who can score and make plays — but there’s more to this decision than stats alone.

---

Wilson Is a Physical Player, But More in Control

Wilson has a reputation for being physical — no question. He’ll hit, he’ll battle in corners, and he’ll protect his teammates. But it’s more controlled. There’s a difference between a player who can tilt a game with hard work and grit and one who sometimes crosses a line.

And then you have Bennett. Quick, skilled, and tough to play against. But in big moments, he’s tended to overstep, taking things a bit too far.

You don’t have to dig far for examples. During the playoffs a few seasons ago, when Matthew Knies was a rookie with the Maple Leafs, Bennett practically body-slammed him to the ice, knocking him out of the postseason. Knies was taken by surprise and sidelined.

A couple of years down the line, Bennett barrelled right through the crease and collided with Anthony Stolarz, a former teammate (who he later called a “good friend“). He claimed there was no ill intent, but it still knocked Stolarz out of the postseason. It’s the sort of thing that makes coaches and Olympic officials wince.

Olympic Hockey Differs from the NHL Playoffs

Olympic hockey is not the same as the NHL playoffs. It’s fast, skilled, and yes, physical, but it’s not the environment where you want a player crossing lines and putting others out of games. You can imagine Bennett doing a Stolarz and running Team USA’s goalie Connor Hellebuyck — not just knocking him out of one game, but potentially affecting his NHL season too. It’s the sort of risk Team Canada doesn’t need when every shift matters in a short tournament.

Wilson, on the other hand, hits and plays hard, but he doesn’t carry that same “line-crossing” reputation. He’s physical, but far more predictable and reliable in a way that works for a national team setting.

Bennett Has Talent, But Not the Reputation Team Canada Wants

Wilson can dive into the play, watch out for his teammates, and make an impact without causing trouble. It might seem minor, but on a compressed Olympic roster, that steadiness counts.

Bennett’s got talent to spare and might get another chance with Canada in the future. But for this roster, Wilson’s combination of skill, toughness, and controlled physicality made him the safer pick. It’s not about pure force — it’s about helping the team without creating unnecessary problems.

Related: Did Team Canada Drop the Ball?: No Oilers Linemate for McDavid