Montreal crowd jeers ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ for second time in tournament
In a moment of controversy at the 4 Nations Face-Off, fans in Montreal loudly booed the U.S. national anthem ahead of Saturday night’s game between the Americans and host Canada.
This marked the second time during the NHL-organized international tournament that “The Star-Spangled Banner” was met with jeers. The reaction was even louder than during the United States’ previous game against Finland, with booing persisting for the entirety of the anthem despite an appeal for respect from the public address announcer.
Announcer’s plea for respect ignored
Before the anthem, announcer Michel Lacroix addressed the crowd in both French and English, urging fans to honor the tradition of international sportsmanship.
“In the spirit of this great game that unites everyone, we kindly ask that you respect the anthems and the players that represent each country,” Lacroix said.
Despite his plea, the boos intensified, underscoring the charged atmosphere inside the Bell Centre.
U.S. players, coaches respond
U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who started in Thursday’s 6-1 victory over Finland, dismissed the crowd’s reaction.
“I paid no attention to it,” Hellebuyck said. “You have free speech. You can do whatever you want. If you’re going to boo the anthem, we sing it for the troops that protected our freedom. That doesn’t really mean anything to me. You can do whatever you want. But I don’t use it at all.”
U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing that his team’s focus remained on the game.
“That’s really not something that we can control,” Sullivan said. “We just want to play hockey. We want to compete. We want to represent our nation in the right way.”
Political backdrop fuels tensions
The booing of the U.S. national anthem is not new in Canadian arenas. Fans across the country have expressed similar reactions at NHL and NBA games, particularly in response to political tensions between the two nations. The latest instance follows renewed backlash against the United States after President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats against Canada—straining relations between the longtime allies.
Canadian players call for respect
While the crowd’s reaction reflected political frustrations, not all Canadian players agreed with the booing. Veteran defenseman Drew Doughty addressed the issue at a practice in Brossard, Quebec.
“Obviously, I know what’s going on, and I understand the Canadians’ frustration, but I think we should respect the anthems and stuff like that,” Doughty said. “I don’t think anyone should be booing.”
As the tournament progresses, the question remains whether the animosity will persist—or whether the spirit of sportsmanship will ultimately prevail on the ice.
