COLUMBUS, OHIO – John Tortorella, the coach of Team USA for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, isn’t backing off on his comments that he’d bench any player who didn’t stand for the US national anthem.
Advertisement
None of Tortorella’s 23 players have stated plans to sit out the anthem, but some have cautiously begun answering questions about their stance ahead of the event, which starts September 17.
The good news for hockey fans is you will see McDavid in this tournament, and regardless of which jersey he’s wearing, I’m sure he and his young teammates will wow fans.
But the Columbus Blue Jackets coach says he remains unequivocal in his belief that the flag and the anthem should be sacrosanct. They aren’t playing for a country, but those players will want to win just as much as the others.
The 44 players selected will take to the ice on two teams, Red and White, over the seven-day camp that will feature eight games along with practices at the Markin MacPhail Centre.
Many conservatives have claimed that protesters are dishonoring American veterans by refusing to stand. Others have insisted that these athletes should leave the country if they have qualms about the anthem. This shouldn’t come into the equation at all.
It seems like we have been waiting all summer long to get to this week and now were here, and its Okay, one more practice might be good, but Im sure Canada is feeling the same way, USA alternate captain Ryan Suter said. “It may bring in more people, let them see how great the game is and get them addicted to hockey like the rest of us”. But he said this tournament enjoys an anticipation level perhaps higher than the Olympics because of its infrequency. “What Nick is doing by far dwarfs what we do”.
Carey Price will start in net for Canada while Jonathan Quick gets the nod for the U.S. Even though it’s just an exhibition game, no one really thinks either side will take it easy on the other.
U.S. coach John Tortorella said he has pondered his World Cup goaltending outlook “for months” and he still hasn’t reached a conclusion about who his No. 1 goaltender will be. “So I don’t have to worry about that reaction”.
“This is probably a tournament where you have all the best talent from around the world in one tournament”, Stamkos said. And then when you get to do it on Canadian soil, that’s another thrill.
“He continued, “[Kaepernick] is going to do his thing, but I salute those who have stood for our country, who have died and given limbs and lives for us.
Advertisement
He added: “I’m going to have to play well to stay in there and I know that”.
