Canada’s men’s hockey team is heading into the Milan Cortina Olympics with one of the most scrutinized positions in the sport: goaltending. But head coach Jon Cooper isn’t buying the narrative that it’s a weakness.
“I understand people have to write about stuff,” Cooper said. “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.”
Cooper’s confidence is clear-and it’s not just lip service. Canada hasn’t named a starting goalie for its Olympic opener against Czechia on Thursday, but all signs point to Jordan Binnington getting the nod.
Based on practice reps and internal momentum, the St. Louis Blues netminder appears to be the guy.
Now, let’s not ignore the numbers. Binnington’s NHL season has been rocky-just eight wins in 32 appearances and a .864 save percentage, the lowest of the three goaltenders on Canada’s roster. On paper, that’s not exactly the stat line you’d expect from an Olympic starter.
But Cooper isn’t making this decision based on regular-season stats alone. What Binnington did at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off left a lasting impression. Under the bright lights and high pressure, he delivered-something Cooper values immensely.
“He proved everything I felt about him,” Cooper said. “The biggest stage, at the biggest moment, at the biggest time, he delivered. There’s just some guys that got the it factor.”
That “it factor” isn’t just coach-speak. Binnington has been there before. He backstopped the Blues to a Stanley Cup in 2019, and that kind of experience-knowing how to win when everything’s on the line-carries weight in a short tournament like the Olympics.
That said, Canada’s depth in net is nothing to scoff at. Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson both bring solid resumes into the mix.
Kuemper, a Stanley Cup winner in 2022, was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season and entered the Olympic break with a .900 save percentage. Thompson, meanwhile, posted a .912 and finished fourth in Vezina voting.
So yes, the numbers favor the other two. But Cooper’s leaning into more than just analytics here.
He’s looking at pedigree, poise, and performance when it matters most. And in Binnington, he sees a goalie who’s proven he can rise to the occasion.
For Canada, it’s not about finding the flashiest numbers-it’s about trusting the guy who’s been through the fire and come out with a ring. As the puck drops in Milan Cortina, Cooper’s betting on experience, belief, and that elusive “it factor” to carry the day.