Fans at Montreal's Bell Centre erupted in loud boos during the U.S. national anthem before Saturday's 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game against Canada – the second such incident in this NHL-hosted tournament. The jeering intensified despite arena announcements urging respect, with crowd hostility surpassing Thursday's matchup against Finland.
'You have free speech,' U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stated after Thursday's 6-1 win.
'We sing it for the troops that protected our freedom. Booing doesn’t mean anything to me – but they can do what they want.'
The tension traces to political friction between the neighboring nations. Analysts note increased Canadian fan backlash at NHL/NBA games since former President Donald Trump:
- Repeatedly referenced Canada as a potential '51st state'
- Threatened economically damaging tariffs
- Strained long-standing diplomatic relations
U.S. coach Mike Sullivan emphasized focusing on gameplay: 'We can't control crowds. Our mission is representing America through hockey excellence.' Canadian defenseman Drew Doughty publicly condemned the behavior:
'I understand frustration, but we should respect anthems. Nobody should boo.'
This recurring incident raises questions about:
Political symbolism in sports
The NHL's role in managing international fan dynamics
Balancing national pride with cross-border sportsmanship
With border rivalries intensifying in professional leagues, the 4 Nations tournament continues spotlighting how geopolitical tensions increasingly collide with athletic competition.