With tensions between the United States and Canada at their highest since the 1800s, American hockey players are speaking out after the national anthem was booed before a game.

The NHL has taken a pause for the ‘4 Nations Faceoff’ – a mini tournament held between the USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland as a tune-up before NHL players are finally allowed to compete again at the Winter Olympics.

But on Thursday night’s game between the US and Finland held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canadian fans in attendance began heartily booing the American national anthem.

As a result, Canadian fans have been voicing their opposition by booing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at NHL and NBA games in recent days.

When asked about the reception, USA alternate captain and Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk simply said, ‘I didn’t like it. That’s all I got.’

Amid a backdrop of heightened political tension between the United States and Canada, attendees at a 4 Nations Faceoff game featuring the US in Montreal booed the national anthem

Provocative rhetoric from President Trump has strained the relationship between the countries

Some American hockey players voiced their frustration. Others are using it as motivation.

In recent years, the fierce hockey rivalry between the US and Canada has only gained in its competitiveness. Because of that, some players are viewing the booing of the anthem as extra fuel to fire them up.

‘I think we like it,’ said New York Rangers forward JT Miller. ‘Not politically, but maybe just as a sense of, we know where we’re at in Canada and I think that fires us up more than anything. So it’s great.’ 

‘Everyone has their own views on things,’ said Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber. ‘I’m honored to wear the red, white and blue. For us, we’re just focused on winning games. 

‘Obviously, the fans here are going to be against us. And, you know, it’s going to be the same thing when it’s USA-Canada, or whoever, USA-Sweden back home in Boston, right?’ 

Team USA coach Mike Sullivan, who also coaches the Pittsburgh Penguins, says the booing won’t distract the team from its intended goal of winning the tournament and that everyone in the locker room is honored to represent the nation.

‘These guys are hockey players, and they’re here to play hockey,’ Sullivan said. ‘They’re also proud Americans and it’s a privilege to represent your nation, and all of us that have the opportunity to participate and be part of this U.S. team. It means a lot to all of us.

‘We just want to play hockey. We want to compete. We want to represent our nation in the right way.’

Brothers Brady (L) and Matthew Tkachuk (R) scored four of the US’s six goals vs. Finland

The Canadian-American hockey rivalry has grown in ferocity in recent years

A group of American fans cheer on Team USA at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Thursday

Plus, it’s not like the booing was particularly helpful. The United States thrashed Finland 6-1 thanks to a four-goal third period.

Matthew Tkachuk and his brother – Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk – were each responsible for two goals a piece. Minnesota’s Matt Boldy and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel added the other two.

Team USA next plays Canada at the Bell Centre at 8:00pm Eastern time on Saturday. The next games for all four teams and the inevitable final will be held at TD Garden in Boston.

The United States and Canada have had a long-established hockey rivalry – which includes multiple clashes in the medal rounds of the Olympics. Canada beat the United States in the Gold Medal Game at both the 2002 and 2010 Olympics – held in Salt Lake City, Utah and Vancouver, British Columbia respectively.

In recent years, the rivalry has been hottest at the World Junior Championships as the senior World Championships typically take place during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Since 2020, Canada and the US have won every edition of the World Juniors – with both nations winning three times. That included the 2021 World Juniors, where the US beat Canada to win gold.

After the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the NHL decided to stop sending players to the Olympics for the 2018 Olympics in Peyongchang. In 2022, the NHL initially planned to send players to the winter games in Beijing, but the Covid-19 crisis and strict quarantine policy resulted in no players being sent. 

This is set to change for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, with the NHL agreeing to let its athletes compete.