Cooper dismisses Canada's goalie concerns: 'It's not a story'

Canada men's hockey coach Jon Cooper doesn't agree with the notion that goaltending is a weak spot for his country at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

"I understand people have to write about stuff. But our guys go through a wall for them, and they do the same for us," Cooper said, per Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

"To me, it's not a story. I don't know where it comes from."

Canada opens its tournament Thursday with a clash against Czechia. Cooper hasn't officially named a starter, but Jordan Binnington is expected to get the nod based on Canada's practice routine. The St. Louis Blues netminder has the worst numbers this NHL season of the three goalies selected to Canada's roster, owning only eight wins in 32 appearances and a .864 save percentage.

However, Binnington's standout performance at last year's 4 Nations Face-Off put him in the driver's seat to start the Olympic tournament over Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper.

"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."

Binnington also has a Stanley Cup on his resume, playing an essential role in the Blues' 2019 championship.

Kuemper and Thompson entered the Olympic break with save percentages of .900 and .912, respectively. Kuemper, who won the Stanley Cup in 2022, was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, while Thompson finished fourth in voting.