Milano Cortina medalists receive a stuffed animal with medals; Nathan MacKinnon’s reaction goes viral

So, you're an Olympic medalist who just spent the entire year training for your chance at success. While you're so close to reaching the pinnacle, you manage second place and while being handed the silver medal...you also get a plushie.

Seems like one of the more bizarre additions to the ceremony, but 2026's Winter Olympics had just that. In what led to a couple viral moments, there were stuffed animals handed out to medalists along with their medals -- that being a white stoat along with the mascot known as 'The Flo'.

The Flo are a group of cartoonish snowdrop flowers that, per the Olympics website, 'never leave their friends and love to have fun even if sometimes this gets them into trouble.'

Whether you think it's cute, or a horrible consolation prize; Italy decided to make sure they added their own little flair to the festivities.

That didn't sit well with Nathan MacKinnon, who's reaction upon receiving the plush toy has gone viral for the fact that well...he looked like he wanted to rip its head off:

MacKinnon is a player who hates losing, and second place is a loss to him regardless of silver. You can see the burning fury in his eyes as he stares daggers into the soul of the poor plushie.

To be fair, the rest of Canada looked less than thrilled as well, with Brad Marchand looking quite unimpressed:

Fans were having a field day on social media, explaining how that poor stuffed animal is likely not going to make it very far:

MacKinnon is as fierce a competitor as can be, and upon receiving the parting gift it might feel hollow to him; though you always hope he can give it away to his children or even perhaps put in up for auction and donate the proceeds to charity -- have him sign it too why not?

It's apropos the mascots love to have fun which might cause them trouble, because their friendly demeanour might have set off one of the angriest players in Canada right now.

Trouble indeed.

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