Devon Toews selected for 2026 Winter Olympics, but there's one condition that could keep him from showing up

Devon Toews has been named to Team Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, but the Colorado Avalanche defenseman has made it clear that family will come first if the timing doesn’t work out. With his wife Kerry expecting their fourth child in February, Toews has acknowledged there is a very real possibility he may not be able to join the national team if the baby has not yet been born.

The situation places the 31-year-old in a delicate balancing act. According to People, Kerry’s due date falls just nine days before Canada’s opening game of the Olympic tournament, leaving little margin for error should the birth be delayed. 

Toews was officially named to the Olympic squad on December 31, joining Avalanche teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in what is expected to be one of the strongest Canadian rosters in recent memory. Moments after the announcement, however, Toews was quick to temper any assumptions about his availability, openly stating that he would stay home if circumstances demanded it.

The hockey star says being a dad matters more than Olympic glory

“If my baby hasn’t arrived, I’m staying here,” Toews told reporters before playing against the St. Louis Blues. “That’s 100% what I’ll do.”

He added that he won’t leave until the baby arrives and everyone at home is safe. Toews said his wife is excited about his Olympic chance, but he will definitely be there for the birth. His decision shows how athletes balance personal priorities, much like how Drake Maye reframed the Patriots season by shifting focus to what matters most.

The player confirmed the baby is due in February. He called it “something that’s way more important to me than making an Olympic team.”

“Being there for that is something that’s on my mind more so than showing up for my country,” he said. “I’ll be there when that time comes, but right now, I’m there for my wife.” Unlike recent speculation about Mike Tomlin’s coaching future, Toews faces no uncertainty about where his commitment lies.

When reporters asked about his biggest accomplishment for 2025, Toews said it has nothing to do with hockey. “Honestly, being a dad and being a father is my biggest accomplishment in life,” he explained. “Being able to watch my kids grow and help them grow is the best thing that I’ll ever do.” The Milan Winter Olympics start on February 6, with men’s hockey beginning on February 11.