Jon Cooper Appointed Canada’s Hockey Coach for 2026 Olympics and Four Nations Face-Off, Signaling NHL's Return to International Competition

Tuesday, June 25th, 2024

Jon Cooper, who has led the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup victory, has been named the coach for Canada in upcoming international events, including the 2026 Olympics in Milan.

Additionally, Cooper will oversee Canada's team in the NHL's Four Nations Face-Off this February, an event designed to ready teams for the Olympics.

Originally chosen to coach at the 2022 Olympics, Cooper's participation was hindered by pandemic issues.

Cooper, the NHL's longest-serving coach, has steered the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021, along with two more finals appearances.

Canada's general manager lauded Cooper for his excellent character, coaching skills, and proven success, voicing faith in his capability to guide Team Canada effectively.

With the Milan Olympics marking the return of NHL players to the Games since 2014, the Four Nations Face-Off will feature teams from Canada, the US, Sweden, and Finland.

The US has also chosen Mike Sullivan, a two-time Cup winner, to coach its team in these tournaments.

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