Jon Cooper expects Canadiens fans to applaud Brandon Hagel as Bell Centre playoff reality points to
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Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper genuinely believes Montreal Canadiens fans will applaud Brandon Hagel tonight at the Bell Centre.
Yes, you read that correctly. Jon Cooper is living in a fantasy world.
Cooper believes Hagel deserves applause for his success on the international stage, having represented Team Canada at the most recent Olympics and the 4 Nations Face-Off.
As journalist Renaud Lavoie said on BPM Sports, the chances of that happening are zero.
“He said ‘I hope people there will remember what Brandon Hagel did and they’ll applaud him.’
Come on. This is Montreal, not Columbus, not Ottawa….There’s no way we’re going to start applauding a player from the opposing team.”
– Renaud Lavoie
Jon Cooper’s Hagel applause expectation clashes with Bell Centre playoff reality
Hagel did briefly wear a Montreal Canadiens jersey early in his career before breaking out in Chicago and then Tampa Bay.
He was warmly applauded during the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal when he fought Matthew Tkachuk.
But this is no longer an international tournament.
And in the playoffs, an opposing player will never be applauded at the Bell Centre (except, perhaps, if that player is named Sidney Crosby).
Tonight, Hagel will be booed.
He understands the market.
The atmosphere at the Bell Centre will be electric for this first 2026 playoff game in Montreal.
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Jon Cooper expects Canadiens fans to applaud Brandon Hagel as Bell Centre playoff reality points to boos
Will Canadiens fans boo Brandon Hagel tonight at the Bell Centre?