There’s no Patrick Kane, Johnny Gaudreau, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel or Jonathan Quick, so the U.S. men’s hockey team is made up of Gionta, four college players, three from the American Hockey League and 15 playing in professional leagues across Europe. With 1,006 games played over 15 seasons, Gionta, 38, has by far the most NHL experience of the 23 players named. Because NHL players aren’t going, Gionta called the tournament “wide open,” something Canada coach Willie Desjardins and others have said in recent months. “It’s one thing I don’t have, I haven’t been able to achieve, is an Olympic medal,” Gionta said. “I would love to end my career with something like that.” The U.S. faces Slovenia in its Olympic opener on Feb. 14.

Source: thestar January 01, 2018 23:03 UTC