Ottawa’s Jason Seed to Compete for Italy at Winter Olympics

Ottawa-born hockey player Jason Seed is poised to represent Italy in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Although he grew up playing in Canada, he will don the Italian jersey, thanks to his dual citizenship and strong family ties to the country.

In a video call from Italy, Jason shared his connection to Italian culture. “I heard a lot of Italian growing up and I understand it pretty well because of that,” he stated. His grandparents have had a significant influence on his life, instilling in him a comfort with the language and traditions.

Since 2016, Jason has pursued a professional hockey career in Europe, moving to Italy in 2022 to join Bolzano HC. His early hockey career saw him playing for various teams in the Ottawa region, including the Ottawa Sting, Ottawa Valley Titans, and the Carleton Ravens. He also had a notable stint with the Gatineau Olympiques and was part of the Saint John Sea Dogs team that won the Memorial Cup in 2011.

Despite his achievements, Jason went undrafted after his junior career, prompting him to explore opportunities in Europe. Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, “I never would have imagined it the way it’s colliding, the way it is now, definitely not.”

A Family’s Dream Realized

For years, Jason’s parents, Tom and Mirella Seed, have watched their son’s games via online streams, often struggling with language barriers. The upcoming Olympics will be a family reunion of sorts, as they plan to travel to Milan to support him in person. “We never thought that this would happen,” Mirella expressed, highlighting the unexpected nature of Jason’s Olympic selection.

Mirella’s family emigrated from Italy to Canada in the 1950s. She emphasized the importance of obtaining Italian citizenship for her children, not anticipating that it would lead to an Olympic opportunity for Jason. “I wanted them to have it because of their Italian heritage and also because there might have been opportunities for education in Italy,” she explained.

Jason’s father, Tom, described the situation as “kind of the perfect storm.” He noted that they had no idea when Jason began his professional career that he would eventually end up playing for the Italian national team and securing a spot in the Olympics.

Facing Tough Competition

At 34 years old, Jason is gearing up for the most significant stage of his career. He acknowledges that had he not pursued hockey outside North America, representing Canada might not have been an option. “Playing for Canada probably wouldn’t have been an option,” Mirella stated, noting the intense competition in Canadian hockey, particularly among NHL players.

As Italy enters the tournament as underdogs, Jason is aware of the challenges that lie ahead. “We don’t want to just be there because we’re the host team,” he stated. His team is determined to make a strong showing against some of the world’s best hockey players.

The Seed family has embraced the journey alongside Jason, with Tom calling the Olympic experience “the cherry on top.” As Jason prepares to skate onto the Olympic ice, he carries not just the hopes of his family, but also the pride of a dual heritage that has brought him to this remarkable moment in his career.