Jon Cooper shares ‘devastating’ call to injured Cirelli
The Tampa Bay Lightning delivered a thrilling come-from-behind win over the Boston Bruins in the Stadium Series on Sunday. in the game Anthony Cirelli is injured. Lightning is slated to make a long-term return to Team Canada after also representing his country in the 4 Nations showdown.
now, Jon Cooper shared that Cireli will not be able to play in the Olympics and debate making that decision with TSN’s Jay Recher.
Cooper, who is also the head coach of the Canadian team, said having to tell Cirelli he would not play in the Olympics was “devastating.”
“If Anthony Cirelli can’t be Anthony Cirelli,” and he’s not 100%, he can’t go, Cooper continued.
The Lightning forward played in all four games with Canada last year in the 4 Nations showdown, but did not have a point in the event. He had another quality season. In 49 games, Cirelli found the back of the net 15 times with 20 assists.
Cirelli was the 72nd overall pick of the Lightning in 2015 and broke into the NHL with the franchise in 2017-18. He played his entire career in Tampa, playing 560 games with 139 goals and 188 assists. He also won the Stanley Cup twice, but wanted to add Olympic gold to his list of accomplishments.
Cirelli will be replaced on the roster by another Stanley Cup champion as Sam Bennett joins the roster. Initially left off the Olympic roster, after playing in the 4 Nations for Canada, he scored a goal in three games.
The team Canada is one of the favorites to win gold at the Olympics. Canada plays its first game of the tournament on February 12 against the Czech Republic.
2026-02-04 13:48:00
