Hockey Canada officially announced that Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper would lead its entry at the NHL’s 4Nations Face-Off in February, as well as the 2026 men’s Olympic team in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
The 4 Nations event, which will take place Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston, will be the first best-on-best event for men’s hockey since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and will also feature teams from the U.S., Sweden, and Finland.
Cooper was given the job by Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues and assistant GMs Don Sweeney (Bruins) and Jim Nill (Stars).
“Jon is a world-class person, coach and leader, and his impressive résumé and success in the NHL make him the perfect person to lead Team Canada over the next two years at the 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympic Winter Games,” Armstrong said in a statement. “Our management group knows that Jon will represent our country with pride while bringing his winning pedigree to the international stage, and we look forward to working with him as we build teams with the best NHL players in Canada at two marquee events.”
Hockey Canada said it will be announcing the first six players for the 4 Nations Face-Off roster in late June.
Cooper, 56, has coached the Lightning since taking over as a mid-season replacement in 2013. The Prince George, B.C., native has won the Stanley Cup twice (2020 and 2021) and lost in the final on two other occasions.
Cooper was slated to coach Canada at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, but the NHL ultimately did not participate. He coached Canada at the 2017 world hockey championship, winning a silver medal, and was an assistant coach for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey.
Jon Cooper, the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, has been selected to lead Team Canada at the upcoming 4 Nations tournament and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. This marks a significant milestone in Cooper’s coaching career, as he will have the opportunity to guide some of the best players in the world on the international stage.
Cooper, who has been with the Lightning since 2013, has established himself as one of the top coaches in the NHL. Under his leadership, the Lightning have consistently been one of the top teams in the league, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015 and winning the Stanley Cup in 2020. His success with the Lightning has earned him a reputation as a skilled tactician and motivator, making him a natural choice to lead Team Canada.
Cooper’s experience coaching at the highest level of professional hockey will be invaluable as he takes on the challenge of coaching Team Canada. He will be tasked with managing a roster of elite players from across the NHL, many of whom have never played together before. His ability to build chemistry and get the most out of his players will be crucial to Canada’s success in both the 4 Nations tournament and the Olympics.
In addition to his coaching abilities, Cooper’s leadership style and communication skills have also been praised by players and colleagues alike. His ability to connect with his players on a personal level and create a positive team culture will be key to fostering a winning environment for Team Canada.
Overall, Jon Cooper’s selection as the head coach of Team Canada is a testament to his coaching prowess and his ability to lead a team to success. With his track record of success in the NHL and his proven leadership skills, Cooper is well-equipped to guide Team Canada to victory at the upcoming international tournaments. Fans can expect an exciting and competitive performance from Team Canada under Cooper’s guidance.