Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Anthony Cirelli (71) during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game against the United States at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Well, it looks like Coach Jon Cooper isn’t going to have one of his most trusted forwards for Team Canada in the upcoming Olympic Games in Italy. Reports have surfaced that Anthony Cirelli will not be able to participate after suffering an injury in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s victory over the Boston Bruins.
To add insult to injury, he’s being replaced on the roster by a Panther. Florida’s Sam Bennett
Shortly after Boston scored to make it 3-1 on Sunday, Cirelli was skating at center ice. He had just released the puck when Mark Katelsic caught him with a shoulder-to-shoulder hit that Cirelli was not expecting. He was in obvious discomfort and didn’t return to the game.
Earlier in the day, Coach Cooper announced that Cirelli and Nick Paul would miss the Lightning’s final two games before the break, leaving them a bit light at center.