Team Canada Head Coach Jon Cooper Gives a Strong Message to All Fans Attending Tonight's Historical Game
The head coach of Team Canada Jon Cooper had a strong message to all fans attending tonight's historic game between Team Canada and Team USA.
For the first time in ten years, fans get to see the best players compete for their countries in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Tonight could be a game for the history books, as Team Canada and Team USA, two of the strongest nations in hockey, are set to compete on the ice.
Unfortunately, a narrative has taken over the sport: fans have been booing the national anthems.
We can't ignore what is currently going on in the world, but seeing proud athletes representing their countries getting booed for their nationality can be hard for them and for some members of these teams.
In the past days, many players have opened up on this issue. Both Canadians and Americans agreed that they didn't like hearing the crowd booing the anthem.
In a recent press conference, Jon Cooper, head coach of Team Canada, also shared his thoughts up on that issue, saying he hoped it wouldn't happen, as the tournament should be celebrated in all the nations involved, not reinforce the rivalries off the ice.
Here's what he said:
I think people have their personal feelings, and sometimes those feelings get mixed up when politics and sports collide. For me, the NHL is great because it brings together players from so many different countries. When they wear the home jersey, everyone cheers for them, but when they put on the away jersey, they get booed.
And I'm okay with that-like when William Nylander got booed during that game in Sweden. He wasn't being booed because he's Swedish; he was booed because he plays for the Leafs. That kind of interaction is just part of the game.
But when it comes to booing the anthem and bringing politics into it, that's different. These players are representing their countries, and that should be something to celebrate. Mixing those two things together clouds the issue.
I just think people should come to the game, enjoy the sport, and leave politics out of it. I'd want the same for us when we play in other countries. These nations have been around long before us, and I think we should respect that."
Listen to his full comments here:
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 15 | 523 ANSWERS Team Canada Head Coach Jon Cooper Gives a Strong Message to All Fans Attending Tonight's Historical Game Do you agree with Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper? | ||
| Yes | 432 | 82.6 % |
| No | 91 | 17.4 % |
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