A toy loon gifted by a fan has turned into a symbol of luck for the Canadian women’s hockey team competing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. The loon was presented to forward Emma Maltais before Canada’s first game against Switzerland on February 7 by a fan at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, whom she had never met. The team has affectionately named it “Wolf Bird” and even gave it a nametag, inspired by a Russian player’s reference to the iconic Canadian bird in the TV show “Heated Rivalry.”
The loon toy emits its own loon call, prompting players to showcase their own imitations, with Erin Ambrose and Ella Shelton reportedly having the most impressive calls. While its status as a lucky charm is still uncertain, Canada secured a spot in the semifinals with a 5-1 victory over Germany but suffered a 5-0 defeat against the U.S. earlier in the week.
This wouldn’t be the first time Canada’s Olympic hockey team has embraced a good luck charm. At the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games, a loonie was secretly embedded under the ice at the arena, where both Canadian teams went on to win gold medals. This historical loonie is now exhibited at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
If “Wolf Bird” proves to be lucky and contributes to Team Canada’s gold medal victory at Milano Cortina 2026, it may receive similar reverence.