Some Canadians simply uninterested in Olympic hockey

Meanwhile, the US women’s ice hockey team enters the tournament having medaled at every Olympic Winter Games since the sport was introduced at the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, winning one gold (1998), three silvers (2002, 2010, 2014) and one bronze (2006). But he is a veteran who knows how to win, and that experience will be valuable.

Just like Canada was the most talented team back then, Russian Federation is likely to have that role at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

“Not everyone was there in Sochi”, U.S. forward Hilary Knight said. “Now it’s more creative and free-flowing”.

But in many ways, the game has mirrored the evolution of the men’s version with noticeable gains in pace, skill and athleticism. “I suspect it’s going to look different, it’s going to feel different and we’re excited to play”, Stauber said.

US defenceman Kacey Bellamy, who will be playing in her third Olympics, said the team has to drop a recent tendency to force another pass rather than just shoot. But Russia hasn’t medaled since 2002, including a disappointing showing on home ice four years ago. “Really a mindset, and I suspect you’ll see that”.

That last reason I understand because each performance leaves me so breathless, I wouldn’t know how not to give them all 10s.

A change in strategy brought about some changes in personnel, as well.

Reaching the end of his playing days, Kelly earlier told Postmedia Network that he’d be “more than OK” to put a capper on a solid career by helping Team Canada reach the gold medal game at Pyeonchang.

“It’s insane. I think about my first Olympics and I look at the team now … the game and the players just keep getting better and better”, said veteran Meaghan Mikkelson, who has been part of the national team since 2007. “I think that reflects very well on the type of people that hockey produces”.

“We have trust in every single one of them, no matter who’s in net”, said defenseman Kacey Bellamy, a two-time silver medalist.

Luck may have played a part for all of the players suiting up at the Games, but now that they are on the team, they aren’t just happy to be there, said Elliott.

Before he was hired in Vancouver, Desjardins’ long road to the best league in the world included stops in university hockey, the WHL, the AHL, and two years as an NHL assistant.

“Everyone on the team is expecting to win”, he said. “They always bring the offense, they always bring the grit”.

Veterans Viktor Stalberg and Anton Lander will anchor the offense, making this a complete team that won’t be easy for anyone to beat. I think she’s going to be one of the best defensemen in the world in the near future.

When Duggan was photographed in the picture now on the wall in Blaine, she was looking up to the team’s established stars: Natalie Darwitz, Krissy Wendell, Angela Ruggiero and Julie Chu. “A lot of the girls have been to the Olympics before so they will be relied upon a lot”.

The goaltending triad of Alex Rigsby, Maddie Rooney and Nicole Hensley have all proved themselves capable of handling duties in the crease, though Stauber has yet to name his starter with puck drop just a few days out on February 11.

The other two-time USA captain was Cammi Granato, who led the Americans to gold in the debut 1998 tournament and silver four years later.

“Our goalies are phenomenal”, Knight says. “I think that’s because of all the support systems that are in place now for our athletes”.