Team Canada Coach Jon Cooper Makes It Very Clear How He Views Leafs Star Mitch Marner
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Photo credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Team Canada's head coach Jon Cooper has made his feelings very clear about Mitch Marner as a player following Canada's win over Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Team Canada is coming off of a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against Team Sweden in their 4 Nations Face-Off debut, thanks to Mitch Marner's incredible game-winning goal in OT.
Jon Cooper, head coach of Team Canada and the Tampa Bay Lightning, has seen his share of talent over the years, with the Lightning remaining a powerhouse, consistently making the playoffs and winning two Stanley Cups under his charge.
His team's success has set a blueprint for other franchises, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, to follow.
Cooper has had a chance to coach Mitch Marner for the first time in this tournament. On Wednesday, he made his feelings about Marner very clear.
As per LeafsLatest on X, the Canadian head coach was asked:
"What can a goal do to a player like that?"
To which Cooper responded:
"I don't know. If you're saying that, like, is that a confidence-building goal? That kid oozes confidence. So I thought it was a big-time player making a big-time play at a big-time moment, and that's why guys like him are on this team. I thought he was fabulous."
Marner, who was placed on the top line with Connor McDavid and Sam Reinhart, is proving he belongs there after his game-winning performance.
Cooper's comments are particularly significant, as he is used to coaching elite talents like Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, and Steven Stamkos -- all of whom are extraordinary players in their own right.
Team Canada will need to raise their level of play even further as they prepare to face their top international rivals, Team USA, in what promises to be an intense matchup this Saturday night.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
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