United States aims for gold in ice hockey at the Winter Olympics
PLYMOUTH, Michigan – The U.S. men’s ice hockey team, expected to field its best squad when NHL players return to the Olympics this February, doesn’t shy away from the magnitude of what’s at stake. The goal is clear: win the gold medal in Milan.The United States has not won an Olympic gold medal in men’s ice hockey since the historic 1980 team, known as the “Miracle on Ice.” However, the American team is no longer considered a modest “underdog.” Hockey has grown enormously in the United States, with a significant increase in participation since 1980. With the return of NHL players to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years, a golden generation of superstars is preparing for a golden opportunity.The expectation is to go to Milan and win the gold medal. I think anything less than that would be disappointing.
Jack Eichel, Vegas star player
While 44 players gathered this week for USA Hockey’s Olympic orientation camp in Plymouth, Michigan, the final roster of 25 players (two more spots than in the 4 Nations Face-Off) will be announced in early January. Bill Guerin, general manager of USA Hockey, expressed his satisfaction with how the American team came together for the 4 Nations last February, although he lamented the overtime loss to Canada in the final. Guerin’s staff faces difficult decisions, including the possible inclusion of players who were not selected for the 4 Nations, such as Jason Robertson, Tage Thompson, Cole Caufield, Seth Jones, and two-time Olympian Patrick Kane, who has stated that an Olympic gold medal is the only thing missing from his outstanding career. Guerin emphasized that he will rely on assistant coach John Tortorella as a scout during the start of the NHL season, paying special attention to players “in the bubble.” Versatility and adaptation to roles are valuable assets once again, according to Guerin. The general manager also talked about establishing a new culture and standard for USA Hockey, starting with a focus on the World Championships. The United States won gold at this event in May for the first time in 92 years. The American team invited several young members of that team, Jackson LaCombe, Frank Nazar, Alex Vlasic, and Shane Pinto, to their orientation camp as a reward for their commitment. Guerin highlighted the importance of the World Championships and their connection to the Olympic Games, emphasizing the need for players to demonstrate their commitment and desire to help USA Hockey win. The American team seeks revenge against a strong Canadian team, which won the 4 Nations Face-Off led by Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby. The tournament was a great success, attracting a massive audience in the United States. Interest intensified after Brady and Matthew Tkachuk starred in a series of fights at the beginning of the first match against Canada. However, this is unlikely to be repeated, as fighting is prohibited in Olympic hockey. Canada has won nine Olympic gold medals, including the last two in which NHL players participated (2010 and 2014). The United States feels it has matched Canada’s depth.The stakes are extremely high; they have never been higher. These events give us the opportunity to say that we feel the United States is at the top of the sport. We feel we are as good, if not better, than any country competing in this game. And these events give us the opportunity to prove it. Also, the expectation as an American is that we expect to win. We don’t expect to participate. There is a difference. And I think that’s what has changed.
Mike Sullivan, coach
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver’s captain, believes that a gold medal will be the culmination of efforts to grow the game. The United States hockey team has invested a lot of work in its youth development programs and its national team development program, and they are now seeing the results, with elite players and the best in the world. For him, it’s “gold or nothing”.We always used to say that Canada could put two teams on the ice to compete. Well, now, we can put two teams as well. We can put three teams and compete in these events. So I think that says a lot about the growth of the sport in the United States.
Mike Sullivan, coach
