Team Canada HC Jon Cooper Makes Feelings Clear on Narrative Around Jordan Binnington, Logan Thompson

Team Canada’s Olympic preparations are officially underway ahead of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games. After completing their first on-ice session Sunday, early line combinations are beginning to take shape, and, as expected, attention has quickly turned to the crease.

With questions swirling around Canada’s goaltending situation, head coach Jon Cooper wasted no time addressing the growing narrative surrounding Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson.

Team Canada Coach Jon Cooper Addresses Goalie Debate

Canada’s Olympic goaltending group features Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings), and Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals). With no clear starter announced yet, debate has quickly picked up about who will be between the pipes when the tournament begins.

Binnington’s international track record speaks loudly. Across last year’s Four Nations Face-Off and World Championship, he started eight games for Canada, posting a 6-2 record along with a stellar 1.81 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.

Still, his NHL numbers this season have fueled debate. Binnington has struggled at times with St. Louis, carrying an .864 save percentage and a 3.65 goals-against average.

On the other hand, Logan Thompson’s NHL performance has strengthened his case. He posted a 2.45 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage this season. He previously helped Canada earn silver at the 2022 World Championship.

With the debate swirling, Cooper made it clear he isn’t entertaining the noise. He pointed back to Canada’s last Olympic appearance, when Carey Price was the undisputed starter. While this group doesn’t have a single clear-cut No. 1, Cooper views that as depth, not doubt. As he put it, “Carey Price… He’s a winner. We have those guys… They have championship pedigree.”

Cooper also leaned on personal experience when defending his group. “I’ve watched that in Darcy Kuemper in my own building in Tampa. I’ve watched it in Jordan Binnington. I’ve watched Logan Thompson the last two years … We have all the faith in the world in them,” he added.

As for the outside noise, Cooper made his stance crystal clear.

“To me, I understand people have to write about stuff, but our guys go through a wall for them and they’ll do the same for us. To me, it’s not a story. I don’t know where it comes from.”

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Team Canada is expected to take Tuesday off before returning to practice on Wednesday. Their Olympic schedule begins Thursday with a Group A matchup against Czechia, followed by Switzerland on Friday and France on Sunday.

Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey Preliminary Round Schedule