Team Canada Coach Jon Cooper Firmly Backs His Olympic Goaltending Trio
As the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games approach, the Canadian men's hockey team faces intense scrutiny over its goaltending choices. Despite boasting formidable offensive talent and a skilled defensive corps, questions persist about the netminders selected to represent the nation.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room
The narrative surrounding Canada's goaltending has been straightforward: compared to other top hockey nations, the trio of Jordan Binnington, Logan Thompson, and Darcy Kuemper is perceived as lacking the same elite pedigree. Analysts frequently point to American options like Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman, Swedish stalwarts such as Jacob Markstrom, or Finnish standout Juuse Saros as examples of superior talent.
However, Canadian head coach Jon Cooper is having none of this criticism. Following his team's second practice in preparation for the Olympic tournament, Cooper passionately defended his chosen goaltenders to reporters.
Cooper's Unwavering Confidence
"Has Canada had a string of goaltenders that have been exceptional, Hall of Famers? They have. Have they been a part of this tournament and won? They have," Cooper reflected, acknowledging the legendary legacy of Canadian netminders like Carey Price. "To me, Carey Price goes down as one of the greatest goalies for sure of his generation and of all time. He was a winner."
Cooper emphasized that while his current trio may not be viewed as generational talents, they possess proven championship credentials. "We have those guys. Some of these guys may not go down as generational goaltenders, but they're Stanley Cup winners. They have championship pedigree. They've made the big saves at the times they've needed to."
Examining the Goaltenders' Credentials
Cooper's confidence is rooted in the tangible accomplishments of each goaltender:
- Jordan Binnington: A former OHL Goaltender of the Year, Binnington famously backstopped the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup victory in 2019. Despite recent struggles with the Blues, he was instrumental in leading Canada to the 4-Nations Face-off title just a year ago.
- Logan Thompson: His journey is one of perseverance. A late bloomer who didn't become a full-time WHL goalie until age 18, Thompson played university hockey with the Brock Badgers before rapidly ascending to the NHL with the Vegas Golden Knights. He has since emerged as a standout starter for the Washington Capitals over the past two seasons.
- Darcy Kuemper: A veteran presence with a Stanley Cup championship pedigree, Kuemper's reliability and big-game experience were highlighted by Cooper, who witnessed his performances firsthand.
"I watched that in Darcy Kuemper in my own building in Tampa," Cooper added. "I watched it in Jordan Binnington. I've watched Logan Thompson the last two years. Like, they're as good as anybody and what they've done for us not only last year but as teammates, I mean we have all the faith in the world in them."
Dismissing External Narratives
Cooper expressed frustration with the ongoing media scrutiny, framing it as an unnecessary distraction. "I understand people have to write about stuff, but our guys go through a wall for them and they do the same for us. To me, it's not a story. I don't know where it comes from."
His message is clear: the focus should remain on the team's collective strength and the proven ability of his goaltenders to perform under pressure. As Canada prepares for the international stage, Cooper's steadfast support aims to solidify team unity and confidence in the crease.
