Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer looks on from the bench during the third period in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Canada’s Connor McDavid (97) celebrates after his game-winning goal against the United States during an overtime period of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Philadelphia Flyers coach Rick Tocchet speaks during an introductory news conference at the NHL hockey team’s arena, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy, standing, watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Jon Cooper’s championship-winning staff from 4 Nations returns for 2026 Olympics
CALGARY - After leading Canada to victory at this year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, head coach Jon Cooper is getting his same support staff for the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer looks on from the bench during the third period in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
CALGARY - After leading Canada to victory at this year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, head coach Jon Cooper is getting his same support staff for the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Hockey Canada announced Monday that Bruce Cassidy of the Vegas Golden Knights, Rick Tocchet of the Philadelphia Flyers and former Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer will once again serve as assistants on Cooper’s staff for the 2026 Winter Games.
Former Stars assistant and Hockey Canada vice-president of hockey operations Misha Donskov returns as an assistant coach, while goaltending consultant David Alexander, director of performance analysis James Emery and video co-ordinator Elliott Mondou round out the staff.
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The group led Canada to victory at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, the first international tournament to have league participation since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Connor McDavid scored in overtime as Canada beat the United States 3-2 in Boston to win the tournament, which replaced this season’s NHL all-star weekend.Â
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament runs Feb. 11-22 in Milan, Italy. Canada won its third gold medal in four Games the last time NHL players participated in the Olympics in 2014.
“This group of coaches will provide consistency and a winning pedigree to our team, and I know our players will greatly benefit from this world-class coaching staff.” Â
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2025.
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