An unexpected gift in the form of a toy loon has become a symbol of good fortune for Canada’s women’s hockey team at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Forward Emma Maltais received the loon as a gift from a fan she had never met before Canada’s first preliminary match against Switzerland on Feb. 7 at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. The team secured a 4-0 victory in that game.
Dubbed “Wolf Bird” by the team and given its own name tag, the toy loon has a special significance. This nickname was inspired by a reference to the loon made by Russian hockey player Ilya Rozanov in the TV series Heated Rivalry when he was startled by the bird’s distinctive cry.
The toy loon can also produce its own loon call, prompting players to showcase their imitations, with Erin Ambrose and Ella Shelton reportedly having the most impressive calls among the team.
While its effect as a lucky charm is still uncertain, the team secured a spot in the semifinals with a 5-1 victory over Germany but suffered a disappointing 5-0 defeat against the U.S. earlier in the week.
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If the toy loon does indeed bring luck, it wouldn’t be the first time that Canada’s Olympic hockey team has had a fortunate loon on their side.
During the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games, a lucky loonie hidden beneath the ice at the arena where both Canadian Olympic hockey teams played led to gold medal victories for the teams.
This historic loonie is now showcased at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Should “Wolf Bird” contribute to Team Canada’s success and lead them to a gold medal at the Milano