Team USA reacts after fans in Montreal boo American national anthem at 4 Nations Face-Off

A Divisive Display: Booing of the U.S. Anthem at the 4 Nations Face-Off

The atmosphere at Montreal’s Bell Centre turned tense during a recent 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Finland, as large portions of the crowd chose to boo the American national anthem. The event, which took place on Thursday, saw the U.S. team emerge victorious with a 6-1 win, thanks in part to a stellar four-goal third period. However, the game was overshadowed by the disrespectful jeers directed at the U.S. anthem, a trend that has been observed at several NHL games across Canadian cities, including Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver, in recent weeks. Fans’ reactions appear to be a reflection of growing tensions between the two nations, exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s recent trade policies and musings about Canada potentially becoming the 51st U.S. state.

The booing began as soon as the American team stepped onto the ice for warm-ups and continued during player introductions. Anthem singer Alexandre Sylvestre’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was similarly met with disdain, despite public address announcer Michel Lacroix’s plea for fans to show respect to both the U.S. and Finland. The jeers were so loud that they drowned out a small but spirited “U-S-A! U-S-A!” chant attempted by American supporters just before puck drop. Finland’s anthem, on the other hand, was received with silence and respect, highlighting the targeted nature of the crowd’s displeasure.

A Pattern of Disrespect: Historical Context and Political Tensions

This is not the first time Canadian fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with U.S. policies through such displays. In 2003, following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, crowds in Montreal similarly booed the American anthem at NHL games. However, the current wave of disrespect appears to be fueled by President Trump’s recent actions, particularly his announcement of potentially crippling tariffs on Canadian goods—a move that was temporarily paused on February 3 but has left lingering animosity. On Monday, Trump further escalated tensions by imposing 25% duties on steel and aluminum imports, including those from Canada, adding fuel to the fire.

The booing has not been limited to hockey games. Fans at recent home games of the Toronto Raptors, Canada’s lone NBA franchise, have also jeered the U.S. anthem. This phenomenon underscores the deep-seated frustrations of many Canadians, who view these tariffs and Trump’s rhetoric as a direct attack on their nation’s sovereignty and economy. The 4 Nations Face-Off, a high-profile international hockey tournament, has become an unintended stage for these broader political tensions.

Player Reactions: Mixing Sports and Politics

While the jeering has been a source of frustration for some, it has also seemed to galvanize the U.S. team. American forward J.T. Miller acknowledged the crowd’s vitriol, saying, “I think we like it, not politically. But maybe just at a sense of, we know where we’re at in Canada, and I think that fires us up more than anything. It’s great.” Miller’s comments suggest that the team is using the hostile environment as motivation to perform better on the ice.

Other players, however, were less enthusiastic about the situation. Forward Matthew Tkachuk, who had a standout game with two goals and an assist, expressed his disapproval: “I didn’t like it, and that’s all I got.” Tkachuk’s reaction reflects the sentiment of many athletes who prefer to keep politics out of sports. U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan also weighed in, stating, “That’s really not something that we can control. We just want to play hockey. We want to compete. We want to represent our nation in the right way.” Sullivan’s comments emphasize the team’s desire to rise above the political fray and focus on their mission to compete and represent their country with pride.

Organizational Responses: Balancing Patriotism and Diplomacy

The booing of the U.S. anthem has also drawn attention from hockey’s governing bodies. When asked about the issue, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the situation but stopped short of promising any specific action. “It’s unfortunate, obviously, and we wish it wasn’t the case,” Daly said. “But from time to time, things happen, and people have strong feelings about it, and obviously, we’re aware of what’s been happening here. I think the negativity has probably lessened over