Jon Cooper, Bruce Cassidy, Rick Tocchet, and Peter DeBoer reunite to coach Team Canada at 2026 Olympic Games

Jon Cooper will return behind the bench for Team Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, and he won’t be going alone. Hockey Canada announced on Monday that Cooper’s support staff from the recent 4 Nations Face-Off triumph, Bruce Cassidy, Rick Tocchet, and Peter DeBoer will once again join him as assistant coaches, forming a familiar and experienced group aiming for Olympic gold.

Jon Cooper brings back 4 Nations Face-Off staff for Milan Olympic run

After guiding Team Canada to victory at this year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, Jon Cooper has opted for continuity as he leads the national men’s team into the 2026 Winter Olympics. Cooper, who also serves as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, will reunite with Cassidy (Vegas Golden Knights), Tocchet (Philadelphia Flyers), and DeBoer (former Dallas Stars head coach). The coaching unit was instrumental in Canada’s 3–2 overtime win over the United States in the 4 Nations final, with Connor McDavid scoring the game-winner.Hockey Canada is betting on familiarity and chemistry by keeping the same group intact for the Olympic campaign. Cooper expressed confidence in the returning staff, stating, “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.”

Hockey Canada finalizes full Olympic coaching and support staff

Alongside Cooper and the three NHL bench bosses, Hockey Canada has also confirmed that Misha Donskov will return as an assistant coach.

Donskov previously served as a Stars assistant and is currently Hockey Canada’s vice-president of hockey operations. The support staff includes goaltending consultant David Alexander, director of performance analysis James Emery, and video coordinator Elliott Mondou, all of whom were part of the 4 Nations Face-Off win.The men’s Olympic hockey tournament is scheduled for February 11–22, 2026, in Milan, Italy.

This will mark the first Olympic appearance for NHL players since the 2014 Games in Sochi, where Canada captured gold. With a familiar coaching staff in place and a roster likely to include elite stars like McDavid and Sidney Crosby, Canada enters the tournament with high expectations.By maintaining the core of its successful 4 Nations coaching team, Team Canada is signaling its intent to build on recent international success.

With Cooper at the helm and a strong foundation of leadership, the path to Olympic gold begins with continuity and confidence.FAQs1. When will the men’s Olympic hockey tournament take place? The tournament will run from February 11 to 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy.2. When was the last time NHL players participated in the Olympics? NHL players last competed in the Olympics in 2014, when Canada won gold in Sochi.Also Read: Florida Panthers celebrate National Ice Cream Day with Brad Marchand artwork