CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has named its coaching staff for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2024 Spengler Cup, Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.

Gerard Gallant (Summerside, PE) takes the reins as head coach and will be tasked with leading Canada back to the championship game for the first time since 2019, alongside assistant coaches Dave Hakstol (Warburg, AB), Mike Kelly (Shamrock, PE) and Johan Lundskog (Visby, SWE/SC Rapperswil-Jona, NL).

The coaching staff was selected by the management group of co-general managers Brad Pascall (Coquitlam, BC/Calgary, NHL) and Joe Thornton (St. Thomas, ON) alongside assistant general manager Hnat Domenichelli (Edmonton, AB/HC Lugano, NL), who all return for a second-consecutive year. Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, also provided input.

“We are excited to be led by Gerard, Dave, Mike and Johan, who have amassed more than five decades of experience coaching both in the NHL and Europe, and we know that experience will benefit our team as we look to bring home a championship,” said Salmond. “Having Brad, Joe and Hnat in management brings valuable leadership and experience to our group. We know they will work together to put a competitive team on the ice at the Spengler Cup.”

Gallant returns behind the bench for the first time since winning a gold medal with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2021 IIHF World Championship. As an assistant coach he won gold and silver at Men’s Worlds in 2007 and 2017. He also served as an assistant coach with Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Gallant has coached for more than 20 years in the NHL, including as head coach with Columbus (2004-06), Florida (2014-17), Vegas (2017-20) and the New York Rangers (2021-23), winning the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year in 2017-18. He spent three seasons (2009-12) as head coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), winning back-to-back QMJHL championships (2011, 2012) and the Memorial Cup in 2011, in addition to consecutive nods as QMJHL and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) coach of the year in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Hakstol will represent Canada for the third time as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Team after winning silver medals at the IIHF World Championship in 2017 and 2019. He served as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers from 2015-18 and was named the first head coach in Seattle Kraken history in 2021, spending three seasons with the team. Prior to joining the Kraken, he also served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2019-21). Hakstol held various coaching roles with the University of North Dakota from 2000-15, including as head coach from 2004-15, earning WCHA Coach of the Year honours in 2008-09.

Kelly won a gold medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2021 IIHF World Championship. He has represented Canada on multiple occasions, including coaching Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team to a gold medal at the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championship. He was also an assistant coach at the IIHF World Junior Championship three times (2000, 2001, 2002). He served as an assistant coach to Gallant in both Vegas (2017-20) and Florida (2014-17). Kelly also spent four seasons with the Saint John Sea Dogs, including two as head coach and general manager (2012-14) and two as associate coach alongside Gallant (2010-12). Prior to the QMJHL, he spent three seasons as an assistant with the Vancouver Canucks (2006-08) and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose (2005-06).

Lundskog is making his international coaching debut with Canada’s National Men’s Team and is currently in his first season as an associate coach with SC Rapperswil-Jona in Switzerland’s National League (NL). He served as an assistant coach of IK Oskarshamn in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan (2014-15), Evansville of the ECHL (2015-16), Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League (2016-19) and HC Davos in the NL (2019-21). He was head coach of SC Bern in the NL from 2021-22, as well as with Adler Mannheim in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) during the 2023-24 season.

Hockey Canada also named the support staff that will work with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the Spengler Cup:

• Video coach Jérémy Coupal (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC)
• Equipment manager Peter Bureaux (Kitchener, ON/Calgary, AHL)
• Sport physiotherapist Doug Stacey (London, ON/Western University, OUA)
• Massage therapist Andy Hüppi (Schmerikon, SUI)
• Team physician Jim Thorne (Calgary, AB/Calgary, NHL)
• Managers of hockey operations Mitchell Furlotte (Bathurst, NB) and Kurt Keats (Winnipeg, MB)
• Coordinator of hockey operations Miah Armitage (Creston, BC)

Canada opens the 2024 Spengler Cup against host HC Davos on Dec. 26 at 2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT, and will also face the DEL’s Straubing Tigers in preliminary-round play. The championship game is set for Dec. 31 at 6:10 a.m. ET/3:10 a.m. PT.

TSN, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partner, will broadcast all 11 tournament games; check local listings for details.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Spengler Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca  or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the return of its management group for a second-consecutive year with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2024 Spengler Cup, Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.

After making his international management debut last year, Joe Thornton (St. Thomas, ON) assumes the role of co-general manager alongside Brad Pascall (Coquitlam, BC/Calgary, NHL). Hnat Domenichelli (Edmonton, AB/HC Lugano, NL) also debuted in a management role with Team Canada in 2023 and returns as assistant general manager.

“Brad, Joe and Hnat brought tremendous leadership and experience to our group last year and we are thrilled to have them return and build upon last season,” said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. “Each bring their own knowledge having represented Canada on multiple occasions and in varying roles. They know what it takes to win in short-term competition and we know they will assemble a team that will proudly wear the Maple Leaf in its quest to win the Spengler Cup.”

Pascall is currently in his 11th season as assistant general manager of the Calgary Flames, and his second as vice-president of hockey operations. Pascall is also general manager of the Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League (AHL). Prior to joining the Flames, Pascall was the vice-president of hockey operations and national teams with Hockey Canada for nearly four years (2010-14), and worked for the organization from 1996-2014. During his tenure, he won five-straight gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship (2005-09), three Olympic gold medals (2002, 2010, 2014), two IIHF World Championship gold medals (2003, 2004), the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2012 Spengler Cup. 

Thornton enjoyed a 25-year professional playing career that included NHL stints with the Boston Bruins (1997-2005), San Jose Sharks (2005-20), Toronto Maple Leafs (2021) and Florida Panthers (2021-22), as well as parts of three seasons with HC Davos (2004-05, 2012-13, 2020-21) during NHL lockouts and the COVID-19 pandemic. In over 1,700 NHL games, he amassed 1,539 points (430-1109—1539), was a six-time all-star and won the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy in 2005-06. Internationally, Thornton suited up for Canada eight times, winning a gold medal at the 1996 Pacific Cup, gold at the 1997 IIHF World Junior Championship, silver at the 2005 IIHF World Championship and gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, as well as the World Cup of Hockey in 2004 and 2016. He also played in two Spengler Cups (2004, 2012) with HC Davos, winning the championship in 2004. 

Domenichelli has served as general manager of HC Lugano of the National League (NL) since 2019. As a player, he had an 18-year professional career that included 922 games in the NHL, AHL and NL, while also representing Canada nine times. Domenichelli won a gold medal at the 1996 IIHF World Junior Championship, suited up at the Spengler Cup four times (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008), winning the championship in 2003, and represented Switzerland at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. He also won back-to-back Memorial Cups (1994, 1995) with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL), as well as the Calder Cup with the AHL’s Houston Aeros in 2003. 

Canada opens the 2024 Spengler Cup against host HC Davos on Dec. 26 at 2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT, and will also face the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in preliminary-round play. The championship game is set for Dec. 31 at 6:10 a.m. ET/3:10 a.m. PT.

TSN, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partner, will broadcast all 11 tournament games; check local listings for details.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Spengler Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca  or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

The wait is over – Canada has announced its roster for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, the first best-on-best international tournament since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

There’s still more than two months until the first puck drops at the Bell Centre in Montreal, but it’s never too early to take a deep dive into the Canadian roster – who they are, where they’ve come from and what they’ve done.

10,675: Combined points in 13,412 National Hockey League games (3838-6837—10675); Sidney Crosby (1,622) and Connor McDavid (1,013) are the only members of the 1,000-point club. They’ll likely be joined shortly by Brad Marchand (947) and Nathan MacKinnon (938).

5,831: Kilometres (according to Google Maps) from West Vancouver, B.C., hometown of Sam Reinhart, to Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, hometown of Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon – the westernmost and easternmost communities represented on the roster.

476: Combined points in 564 international games wearing the Maple Leaf (195-281—476); six players clock in as point-per-game performers with Team Canada – Sidney Crosby (32-35—67 in 54 GP), Nathan MacKinnon (18-25—43 in 42 GP), Cale Makar (3-5—8 in 7 GP), Mitch Marner (10-15—25 in 20 GP), Connor McDavid (18-27—55 in 41 GP) and Mark Stone (19-15—34 in 26 GP).

455: Population (according to the 2021 Census) of Elkhorn, Manitoba, hometown of Travis Sanheim and the smallest of any player.

73-196: Average height (in inches) and weight (in pounds); Colton Parayko (6-foot-6, 228 pounds) is the biggest player, while Brad Marchand (5-foot-9, 176 pounds) is the smallest.

32: Individual NHL awards won; the total is shared amongst four players – Connor McDavid has won 14 (Art Ross x5; Ted Lindsay x4; Hart x3; Rocket Richard; Conn Smythe), Sidney Crosby has won 12 (Ted Lindsay x3; Art Ross x2; Hart x2; Conn Smythe x2; Rocket Richard x2; Messier Leadership), Nathan MacKinnon has won four (Calder; Hart; Ted Lindsay; Lady Byng); and Cale Makar has won two (Norris; Conn Smythe).

29-9-14: Average age (in years, months and days) as of Feb. 12, 2025, the first day of the tournament; Sidney Crosby (37 years, six months, six days) is the oldest, while Seth Jarvis (23 years, 12 days) is the youngest.

20: Stanley Cup championships; 15 of the 23 players have hoisted hockey’s biggest prize at least once. Sidney Crosby has the most, with three. Anthony Cirelli, Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden Point are the only others with multiple titles.

13: Players drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft, three of them taken No. 1 (Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid); the roster also includes players selected in the third (7), fourth (1) and sixth (2) rounds.

11: Gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship, along with two silver medals and one bronze; Brad Marchand is the only player with multiple gold medals, in 2007 and 2008.

9: Gold medals at the IIHF World Championship, along with 11 silver medals; Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart and Mark Stone have one of each in their trophy case.

6: Hockey Canada Members represented; the Ontario Hockey Federation leads the way with seven players, followed by Hockey Alberta (6), BC Hockey (3), Hockey Manitoba (3), Hockey Nova Scotia (3) and Hockey Quebec (1).

5: Players to wear the ‘C’ with Team Canada – Sidney Crosby (2014 Olympics, 2015 Men’s Worlds, 2016 World Cup); Travis Konecny (2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup); Connor McDavid (2018 Men’s Worlds); Brayden Point (2016 World Juniors); and Sam Reinhart (2012 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka, 2013 U18 Men’s Worlds).

4: Alumni of the TELUS Cup, Canada’s U18 Men’s National Club Championship – Sidney Crosby (Dartmouth Subways, 2002); Alex Pietrangelo (Toronto Jr. Canadiens, 2006); Sam Reinhart (Vancouver NW Giants, 2011); and Mark Stone (Winnipeg Thrashers, 2008).

3: Olympic gold medals; Sidney Crosby has two, in 2010 and 2014, while Alex Pietrangelo was part of the Canadian contingent at Sochi 2014.

3: Alumni of the Junior A World Challenge – Cale Makar (2015 and 2016), Colton Parayko (2011) and Devon Toews (2012); Makar (in 2015) and Parayko won gold medals with Canada West.

2: Alumni of the Centennial Cup, Canada’s National Junior A Championship – Cale Makar (2016 and 2017) and Devon Toews (2013).

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that a pair of veteran National Hockey League (NHL) general managers have been added to its management group for the 4 Nations Face-Off, set for Feb. 12-20 in Montréal, Québec, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Julien BriseBois (Greenfield Park, QC/Tampa Bay, NHL) will make his international management debut as assistant general manager, while Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), who served as associate GM at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, has been named director of player personnel alongside general manager Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL) and associate GM Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL).

In addition, BriseBois and Dubas have been named to Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team management group as assistant general manager and director of player personnel, respectively. They will work alongside GM Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL) and assistant general managers Sweeney and Nill, as well as player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK/Anaheim, NHL) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer, and Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy, will also provide support as part of the executive committee preparing for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

“Julien and Kyle are accomplished NHL general managers, and I am excited to welcome them to our management group for both the 4 Nations Face-Off and Olympics, as I believe they will be strong assets to a well-rounded management team,” Armstrong said. “Both Julien and Kyle have enjoyed long and successful careers, and we believe their experience and knowledge of NHL players will be a great addition to our staff as we continue to evaluate Canadian players and build rosters for international competition.”

BriseBois has been the general manager and vice-president of hockey operations with the Tampa Bay Lightning for six seasons (2018-24), winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Previously, he served as assistant general manager of Tampa Bay (2010-18) and general manager of the Syracuse Crunch and Norfolk Admirals (2010-19) of the American Hockey League (AHL), winning the Calder Cup in 2012. He also spent time with the Montréal Canadiens, serving as vice-president of hockey operations (2006-10), director of hockey operations (2003-06) and director of legal affairs (2001-03), and was also the general manager of the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs (2007-10), winning the Calder Cup in 2007.

Dubas is entering his second season as general manager and president of hockey operations with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Previously, he spent nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, serving five seasons (2018-23) as general manager, becoming the second-youngest GM in NHL history. He also spent four seasons (2014-18) as assistant general manager and GM of the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL), leading the team to its first Calder Cup championship in 2018. Dubas started his front-office career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), serving four seasons (2003-07) as a scout and three seasons (2011-14) as general manager.

“Jim and I are thrilled to have Julien and Kyle join our management group for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and to work alongside them as we prepare for the Olympics,” Sweeney said. “Both are successful NHL general managers that bring a wealth of knowledge, many years of experience at the professional level and great leadership skills that will be beneficial to our coaches, support staff and players.”

Canada will open the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden on Feb. 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT at the Bell Centre in Montréal. It will also take on the United States on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Montréal and Finland on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at TD Garden in Boston before the tournament concludes with the championship game on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Boston.

The full roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off will be announced between Nov. 29-Dec. 2, while the assistant coaches and support staff will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on the 4 Nations Face-Off, please visit the official tournament page.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), has announced the first six players who will wear the Maple Leaf at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Feb. 12-20, 2025, in Montréal, Québec, and Boston, Massachusetts.

The initial roster includes Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, NS/Pittsburgh, NHL), Nathan MacKinnon (Cole Harbour, NS/Colorado, NHL), Cale Makar (Calgary, AB/Colorado, NHL), Brad Marchand (Hammonds Plains, NS/Boston, NHL), Connor McDavid (Newmarket, ON/Edmonton, NHL) and Brayden Point (Calgary, AB/Tampa Bay, NHL), and was selected by general manager Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL) and associate general manager Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL). Head coach Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, also provided input.

The initial list includes three former first-overall picks in the NHL Draft (Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid), while all six players have suited up for Canada’s National Junior Team at the IIHF World Junior Championship and five have played for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the IIHF World Championship (Crosby, MacKinnon, Marchand, McDavid, Point). The six players have won a combined eight Stanley Cups, as well as two gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games, six gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship, four gold and two silver at the IIHF World Championship, and gold and bronze at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

“We are excited to announce the first six players who will represent Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, as these are six world-class players and leaders on their NHL teams that we can build a strong and successful team around,” Sweeney said. “Sidney, Nathan, Cale, Brad, Connor and Brayden have been successful at various levels of their professional and international careers, and we look forward to all six being key contributors to our team as we look to win on the international stage next season.”

Crosby has played in 1,272 games over 19 seasons (2005-24) with the Pittsburgh Penguins, serving as captain for 17 seasons and amassing 1,596 career points (592 goals, 1,004 assists). He has also collected 201 points (71 goals, 130 assists) in 180 playoff games, helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup three times (2009, 2016, 2017). Over the course of his career, Crosby has won the Ted Lindsay Award three times, the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy twice, as well as the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Internationally, he won back-to-back gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games, as well as gold and silver at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He also won gold at the IIHF World Championship, becoming a member of the IIHF’s Triple Gold Club – the first to win all three as captain - and won the World Cup of Hockey.

MacKinnon recently completed his 11th season (2013-24) with the Colorado Avalanche, where he has served as an alternate captain for the past eight years. He has played in 791 career games, registering 899 points (335 goals, 564 assists), and has contributed 114 points (48 goals, 66 assists) in 88 career playoff games. He helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, and has won the Calder Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy, Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. MacKinnon has worn the Maple Leaf five times, winning a gold and silver medal at the IIHF World Championship, and gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. He also suited up at the IIHF World Junior Championship and played for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey.

Makar has suited up in 315 career games over five seasons (2019-24) with the Colorado Avalanche, registering 336 points (86 goals, 250 assists). He has also appeared in 72 career playoff games, collecting 80 points (21 goals, 59 assists), earning the Conn Smythe Trophy while helping Colorado win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Makar has also won the Calder Trophy and Norris Trophy, as well as the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men’s hockey. Internationally, he won a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship, and suited up for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge twice, winning one gold medal.

Marchand has spent 15 seasons (2009-24) with the Boston Bruins, serving his first season as captain in 2023-24 after five years as an alternate captain. He has amassed 929 career points (401 goals, 528 assists) in 1,029 games, as well as 138 points (56 goals, 82 assists) in 157 playoff games, and won the Stanley Cup in 2011. On the international stage, Marchand won back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship, a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship and the World Cup of Hockey.

McDavid recently completed his ninth season (2015-24) with the Edmonton Oilers, leading the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in his eighth season as captain. In 645 career games, he has registered 982 points (335 goals, 647 assists), and has added 117 points (37 goals, 80 assists) in 74 playoff games. McDavid has registered 100 or more points in seven different seasons, helping him win the Art Ross Trophy five times, the Ted Lindsay Award four times, the Hart Trophy three times and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy once. He has suited up for Canada five times, winning gold at the IIHF U18 World Championship, IIHF World Junior Championship and IIHF World Championship. McDavid also played for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey.

Point has played for the Tampa Bay Lightning for his entire eight-year NHL career (2016-24), collecting 553 points (264 goals, 289 assists) in 580 career games, as well as 87 points (42 goals, 45 assists) in 87 playoff games. He scored 14 goals in the playoffs in two-consecutive seasons to help the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups (2020, 2021). Internationally, Point has won silver at the IIHF World Championship, gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship, gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and bronze at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

The full roster will be announced between Nov. 29-Dec. 2, while the coaching and support staffs will be announced in the coming months. 

Canada will open the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden on Feb. 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT at the Bell Centre in Montréal. It will also take on the United States on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Montréal and Finland on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at TD Garden in Boston before the tournament concludes with the championship on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Boston. 

For more information on the 4 Nations Face-Off, please visit the official tournament page.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that veteran National Hockey League (NHL) head coach Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL) will lead Canada at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

The Tampa Bay Lightning bench boss and longest-tenured active head coach in the NHL will make his return to the Team Canada bench for the first time since 2017, when he led Canada’s National Men’s Team to a silver medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.

Cooper was selected by Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), management group lead for Canada’s National Men’s Team and general manager for the 2026 Olympics, as well as Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL) and Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL), who make up the management group for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympics. Player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK/Anaheim, NHL) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, along with Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer, and Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy, also provided input as part of the executive committee preparing for the 2026 Olympics.

 “Jon is a world-class person, coach and leader, and his impressive resume 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. “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.”

Cooper recently completed his 12th season as head coach of the Lightning, and is the franchise’s all-time leader in regular season games coached (879), regular season wins (480), playoff games coached (139) and playoff wins (84). During his time with the Lightning, he has led the team to 10 playoff appearances, one Presidents’ Trophy (2018-19) and four Stanley Cup Finals (2015, 2020, 2021, 2022), winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Prior to joining Tampa Bay, he spent two seasons (2010-12) with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL), winning the Calder Cup and AHL Coach of the Year Award in 2011-12, and part of one season with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. Internationally, in addition to his silver medal in 2017, he served as an assistant coach with Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He was also announced as head coach of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team for the 2022 Olympics if NHL players participated.

The first six players for the 4 Nations Face-Off are expected to be announced in late June, while additional announcements regarding Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team will be made at a later date.

The 4 Nations Face-Off is a new international event that will feature NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States. The seven-game event will take place Feb. 12-20 at the Bell Centre in Montréal, Québec, home of the Montréal Canadiens, and TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, home of the Boston Bruins.

For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Men’s Team and Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

PRAGUE, Czechia – Canada’s National Men’s Team has finished fourth at the 2024 IIHF World Championship after falling 4-2 to Sweden in the bronze medal game at O2 Arena on Sunday.

“Playing for Canada is so special, and regardless of the circumstances, any time you get the call to represent your country and compete for a gold medal is an amazing opportunity,” said captain John Tavares (Oakville, ON/Toronto, NHL). “To wear the [captain’s] ‘C’ and play with this group of guys is something I will be forever grateful for, but obviously it is a disappointing result for us.”

After falling behind 1-0 in the first period on a Carl Grundström goal, Jamie Oleksiak (Toronto, ON/Seattle, NHL) found Dylan Cozens (Whitehorse, YT/Buffalo, NHL), who buried his tournament-leading ninth goal from the slot to even the score.

Canada broke the deadlock just over four minutes into the third period when Pierre-Luc Dubois (Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, QC/Los Angeles, NHL) fired home a one-timer off a Brandon Hagel (Morinville, AB/Tampa Bay, NHL) cross-ice pass. Tavares also registered an assist on the play, moving him into a tie for the tournament lead in assists with nine.

Erik Karlsson and Grundström would give Sweden a 3-2 lead after scoring twice in 4:07 in the third period before Marcus Johansson scored into an empty net.

“The really tough loss was last night because we wanted to be playing for a gold medal today, but we also wanted to win our last game and bring home a bronze medal. Today stings but the semifinal stings a lot too,” Dubois said. “Every time you come [to the world championship], you meet unbelievable people. Some are new and some are players that you have met before, and I had an unbelievable time with this group. After a month together, it is tough to be so close to playing in the gold medal game but losing in a shootout.”

Jordan Binnington (Richmond Hill, ON/St. Louis, NHL) made 29 saves in the loss. A full game summary can be found at HockeyCanada.ca.

“It was a little tough to get our game going today, but I thought we were rock solid in the second period. We could have handled our lead a little better and I feel like we backed off [Sweden] too much, and unfortunately we were not as good as we needed to be,” said head coach André Tourigny (Nicolet, QC/Utah, NHL). “Our players worked hard all tournament, and they were very committed to winning and fought for each other. I have so much respect for all the guys in our room for the sacrifice they made to play in this tournament, and I am really proud of our team.”

Following the semifinals, Cozens, Brandon Tanev (Toronto, ON/Seattle, NHL) and Colton Parayko (St. Albert, AB/St. Louis, NHL) were named Team Canada’s three best players of the tournament.

Canada finished the preliminary round in first place in Group A after wins over Great Britain, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Czechia. It booked a spot in the semifinals after a 6-3 win over Slovakia before falling to Switzerland 3-2 in a shootout.

Since 1931, Canada has collected 28 gold medals at the IIHF World Championship, to go along with 16 silver and seven bronze.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

The 2024 IIHF World Championship comes to a close Sunday as Canada’s National Men’s Team faces off against Sweden for the bronze medal at O2 Arena.

Last Game

Canada saw its quest for back-to-back gold medals halted Saturday in a 3-2 semifinal shootout loss to Switzerland. After the Swiss took a 2-0 first-period lead, the Canadians got goals from Brandon Tanev and John Tavares – with just over two minutes remaining – to force extra time, but came up one short in the shootout.

The Swedes had their perfect run come to an unceremonious end with a 7-3 semifinal loss to host Czechia. Joel Eriksson Ek led the offence with a goal and an assist for the Swedes, who had allowed just 10 goals across eight games prior to Saturday, and outshot the Czechs 40-23.

Last Meeting

An epic comeback highlighted the quarterfinal clash between the Canadians and Swedes in 2022. Trailing 3-0 entering the third period, Canada got goals from Ryan Graves, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Mat Barzal – the last two 30 seconds apart within the final two minutes – before Drake Batherson ended it 43 seconds into overtime for a 4-3 win and a place in the semifinals.

What to Watch

As this edition of Team Canada takes to the ice for the final time, it’s important to note once again the youth movement that answered the call of its country in Czechia. The Canadian roster averages 25 years old, tied with Norway and the United States for the youngest in the tournament. Half – 12 of 24 – were born in 2000 or later, and just five – Binnington, Oleksiak, Power, Tanev and Tavares – are in their 30s. And it’s a decorated group: 25 gold medals at IIHF competitions, including the Olympics, Men’s Worlds, World Juniors and U18 Men’s Worlds. Of those 25, 14 are from the World Juniors, and 11 are within the last five years. The future of Canadian hockey looks bright.

The ageless Erik Karlsson is at it again for the Swedes. The 33-year-old has posted 10 points (5-5—10) in nine games for Sweden, tying him for the team lead with Marcus Johansson (5-5—10) and Andre Burakovsky (4-6—10) and leaving him two points back of Swiss captain Roman Josi for the tournament scoring lead among blue-liners. Karlsson – wearing the ‘C’ for the Swedes – is playing his first IIHF World Championship since 2012. His international trophy case also includes an Olympic silver medal (2014), Men’s Worlds bronze (2010) and World Juniors silver (2009).

A Look Back

No opponent has been a more frequent foe for Canada at the IIHF World Championship than Sweden; Sunday’s game will mark the 69th meeting between the longtime rivals, dating back to a scoreless tie in 1931.

Since the medal round was reintroduced to IIHF tournaments in 1992, it’s the fifth time the Canadians and Swedes will meet for a medal, but just the second for bronze; at the 1992 Men’s Worlds, Brian Savage and Adam Graves scored third-period goals, but Canada dropped a 3-2 decision in Lillehammer, Norway.

All-time record: Canada leads 36-27-5 (3-3 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 242
Sweden goals: 191

Canada’s National Men’s Team is set for a semifinal showdown with Switzerland on Saturday at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, two wins away from a 29th world title.

Last Game

Canada punched its ticket to the semis with a 6-3 quarterfinal win over Slovakia on Thursday. Nick Paul led the way with a goal and an assist, Dylan Guenther added one of each and the Canadians took a two-goal lead before the five-minute mark of the first period and never looked back.

The Swiss moved into the final four for the first time since they won silver in 2018 – and gained a measure of revenge in the process – by beating Germany 3-1 in their quarterfinal. Christoph Bertschy opened and closed the scoring for Switzerland, which lost at the same stage (by the same score) to the Germans a year ago.

Last Meeting

It’s been six whole days since the Canadians and Swiss clashed at Men’s Worlds. In a preliminary-round meeting last Sunday, Canada got three power-play goals – two from Dylan Cozens and one from Paul – in a 3-2 victory, handing Switzerland its first loss while keeping its unbeaten record intact.

What to Watch

Paul is best known to Team Canada fans for his overtime winner in the gold medal game at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, giving Canada the unlikeliest of world titles, and he has picked up right where he left off in Riga. The Mississauga native has found chemistry between Jared McCann and Connor Bedard (with Dylan Guenther sliding in on the right side on occasion), recording six points (3-3—6) in eight games. Paul, who had a terrific year with Tampa Bay, setting career-highs in goals (24), assists (22) and points (46), is in search of a third gold medal in as many tries; he was also part of the National Junior Team that won World Juniors gold in Toronto in 2015, scoring a goal in the gold medal game win over Russia.

A late addition to the Swiss lineup, Kevin Fiala has made a major impact. Since he was added two games in after his Los Angeles Kings were eliminated from the NHL playoffs, all Fiala has done is score six goals and add five assists, tying him for the team scoring lead with Nico Hischier (6-5—11) and Roman Josi (3-8—11). He scored in regulation and the shootout in his debut against Czechia, had two goals against Denmark, one against Canada and two more against Finland, leaving him two back of Dylan Cozens for the tournament goal-scoring lead. Fiala has been an integral piece of the tournament’s highest-scoring power play (Switzerland is 10-for-34, a 29.4% success rate), scoring three times with the man advantage

A Look Back

It’s meeting No. 36 between the Canadians and Swiss, with Canada laying claim to 27 wins from the first 35 (with two ties).

The most recent medal-round matchup came in the quarterfinals of the 2019 tournament in Kosice, Slovakia. With an early exit less than a second away, Damon Severson tied the game with four-tenths remaining before Mark Stone gave Canada a dramatic 3-2 overtime win. It’s the second time the countries will meet in a semifinal; in 2018, Bo Horvat and Colton Parayko scored goals, but Canada dropped a 3-2 decision in Copenhagen, Denmark.

All-time record: Canada leads 27-6-2 (4-2 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 172
Switzerland goals: 56