This is the first time that Pavelski will wear a letter of any kind for a USA national team.
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The Tampa Bay Lightning forward looked like a lock to get his first chance at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, but he broke his leg in November 2013 and didn’t recover in time to take part despite a frantic rehabilitation schedule.
A byproduct of this tournament will be that the players in it – the cream of the crop on their National Hockey League teams – will be at the top of their game when they head to their National Hockey League club camp, creating a different dynamic for the start of the season.
Why not (Pavelski)? Tortorella said.
The U.S. went out of its way to name Parise, McDonagh, David Backes and Ryan Kesler as part of the leadership group.
Tortorella said he’ll lead Team USA during the World Cup of Hockey beginning on September 17th.
Getting the label Captain America is on another level.
Pavelski, who also captains the Sharks, was fifth in the National Hockey League in goals scored last season with 38. “It’s a pretty special thing”.
So, if the US players want playing time, they will respect their coaches demands and stand for the national anthem. “There’s a number of guys that could do this job”.
Tortorella said Kane deserves the honor, but stressed it’s one that comes with great obligation. He’s always been one of my favorite players. “There’s usually guys left out that their countries don’t make it, whether it’s the Olympics or the world championships or the previous World Cup”.
The other preliminary round group features Team Finland, Team Russia, Team Sweden and Team North America, the under-23 squad of Canadian and American players that includes 2016 No. 1 pick Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and 2015 No. 1 pick and Newmarket native Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers.
Team USA is practicing in Columbus, Ohio this week in preparation for the World Cup of Hockey, which begins next week. These two teams absolutely loath each other.
The Blues will be looking to make changes all over the place in terms of their forward lines this season, so having four of the team’s forwards plus its GM (Doug Armstrong is heading up Team Canada) is somewhat of a bump in the road.
“Price is an elite, elite goaltender who gives you a great chance to win every night he’s in the net”, said Babcock. He’s ready for more responsibility as a leader of a U.S, team where before it was “Kaner, go play” and he’s really good at it. We just like to bring it up over-and-over again.
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How much opportunity either gets in the three pre-tournament games is yet unclear, though Babcock has indicated that none of his goalies would play on back-to-back nights with the Canadians playing host to the Americans in Ottawa on Saturday.
