Morgan Riely and Connor McDavid carry Canada’s Stanley Cup hopes

Each winter, Morgan Rielly and his dog take long walks around their Toronto neighborhood. The Maple Leafs defenseman likes the fresh air, but it's the thud of hockey pucks on the boards at an outdoor rink near his home that lingers with him. "That's just a special thing that is ingrained in me," Rielly said. It's a sensation millions of Canadians experience, and this year, that bond may become even more powerful.It's been 32 years since the Stanley Cup was hoisted by a Canadian NHL team.The last such victory was in 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens won it. Although numerous Canadian players shine in the U.S.-based clubs, the nation has patiently waited for the trophy to come back north of the border.Now, with the Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Edmonton Oilers all in the second round of the 2025 playoffs, there's renewed hope in Canada. This is the first time since 2004 that three Canadian teams have advanced this far.Jets defenseman Luke Schenn, a Saskatoon native, said he rooted for Canadian teams his whole life. "Canadians want to see the Cup in Canada," he said. "It's been a long time."That same passion also came to life this past spring when Connor McDavid scored in overtime against the U.S. to capture the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. It ignited patriotic pride amid heightened tension between Canada and the U.S., with political posturing about tariffs and even jokes about Canada becoming the 51st state of America.The Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins referred to the national support during their playoff drive in the last year. "There's a lot of Canadian players on every team, but the fan base is all Canadians in Canadian markets," he mentioned. Toronto's John Tavares feels that hockey unites Canadians more than anything else. "It's not just a sport that we really enjoy and play, but it's a big fabric of our community in how it brings people together," said Trevors.Not everyone, however, roots for other Canadian teams if their team is out. Leafs center Scott Laughton, for instance, said he was a Toronto boy growing up and would never root for another team. Yet he gets the bigger national pride.Jets center Morgan Barron said he could feel the energy from fans across Canada, especially during the 4 Nations. “It’s just pretty cool to be a part of it,” he said. Still, veteran Oilers forward Corey Perry reminded everyone: “We’ve got a lot of hockey ahead of us.” The dream is alive but it’s far from finished.Also Read: Alex Iafallo And Morgan Barron Lead The Winnipeg Jets To A Historic Victory Over The St. Louis Blues