PHILADELPHIA – It’s been 12 long years since the NHL participated in the Winter Olympics and four members of the Flyers organization couldn’t be happier to help bring it back.
Flyers coach Rick Tocchet, who will be an assistant coach for Team Canada, will be joined by Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (Canada), Dan Vladar (Czech Republic) and Rasmus Ristolainen (Finland) when the hockey portion of the Games gets underway on Feb. 12.
During a press conference at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday morning, Tocchet summed up the contingent’s feelings about taking part in this historic occasion.
“It’s huge for the world to see them – the (Connor) McDavids, the (Nathan) MacKinnons – set the stage, it’s been a long time,” Tocchet said. “I think it’s going to grow the game.”
Remember how the 2010 Winter Games ended with Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal securing the gold medal for Canada in front of a hometown crowd at Vancouver? Video of that brilliant play was showing around the world for weeks after the Games ended.
Now, many hockey fans will be eager to see NHL hockey on the world stage again.
This could be crucial for professional hockey in North America because of the possibility of a work stoppage in the not too distant future.
“I know people might think the work stoppage will stop momentum,” Tocchet said. “But I think in the grand scheme of things every once in a while, these things (the Olympics) are good for the game.”
Sanheim got a good taste of international hockey at the 4 Nations tournament last year. He learned some meaningful stuff from that event and hopes to add to that knowledge over the next couple weeks.
“I thought it was a good learning experience,” said Sanheim, who took home a gold medal with the Canadian team at 4 Nations. “It will help a lot of us, just being around those guys every day, (seeing) what they do.
“How they prepare – and winning on top of it. Really excited to get back with those guys.”
Tocchet said his players should make the most of what could be a once-in-a-lifetime dream come true.
“I’m proud of these guys to represent their countries,” he said. “You’re going against the best of the best. You’re considered one of the best in your country. You have to be ready for anything. There’s no personal agenda when you’re playing for your country.”
Sanheim was asked what Vladar’s excellence has meant to the Flyers and could it translate to the Olympics.
“He’s been awesome for us,” Sanheim said. “He’s a big reason why we’ve been in a lot of games. I’m not looking forward to playing against him, he’s been playing great.”
Ristolainen was injured and couldn’t play in the 4 Nations, so getting a chance in the Olympics could make up for some lost time when it comes to playing the world’s best.
“Very excited,” Ristolainen said. “Been injured in the past so it feels extra special being able to go.”
Canada is the heavy favorite to win this competition so there’s the usual pressure of being expected to win.
“I think that’s the mentality of Canada,” Tocchet said. “There’s a ton of pressure. I can’t speak for other countries but that’s the way Canada looks at it.”
Of course, there’s the two-way comfort level which Sanheim and Tocchet will enjoy. They speak daily around the Flyers, so a lot of the things they go over will be easily understood by both men.
“Just the relationship, I think that goes a long ways,” Sanheim said. “Starting off on the right foot. I was excited when he was named to coach this team.”
Flyers coach Rick Tocchet, who will be an assistant coach for Team Canada, will be joined by Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (Canada), Dan Vladar (Czech Republic) and Rasmus Ristolainen (Finland) when the hockey portion of the Games gets underway on Feb. 12.
During a press conference at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday morning, Tocchet summed up the contingent’s feelings about taking part in this historic occasion.
“It’s huge for the world to see them – the (Connor) McDavids, the (Nathan) MacKinnons – set the stage, it’s been a long time,” Tocchet said. “I think it’s going to grow the game.”
Remember how the 2010 Winter Games ended with Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal securing the gold medal for Canada in front of a hometown crowd at Vancouver? Video of that brilliant play was showing around the world for weeks after the Games ended.
Now, many hockey fans will be eager to see NHL hockey on the world stage again.
This could be crucial for professional hockey in North America because of the possibility of a work stoppage in the not too distant future.
“I know people might think the work stoppage will stop momentum,” Tocchet said. “But I think in the grand scheme of things every once in a while, these things (the Olympics) are good for the game.”
Sanheim got a good taste of international hockey at the 4 Nations tournament last year. He learned some meaningful stuff from that event and hopes to add to that knowledge over the next couple weeks.
“I thought it was a good learning experience,” said Sanheim, who took home a gold medal with the Canadian team at 4 Nations. “It will help a lot of us, just being around those guys every day, (seeing) what they do.
“How they prepare – and winning on top of it. Really excited to get back with those guys.”
Tocchet said his players should make the most of what could be a once-in-a-lifetime dream come true.
“I’m proud of these guys to represent their countries,” he said. “You’re going against the best of the best. You’re considered one of the best in your country. You have to be ready for anything. There’s no personal agenda when you’re playing for your country.”
Sanheim was asked what Vladar’s excellence has meant to the Flyers and could it translate to the Olympics.
“He’s been awesome for us,” Sanheim said. “He’s a big reason why we’ve been in a lot of games. I’m not looking forward to playing against him, he’s been playing great.”
Ristolainen was injured and couldn’t play in the 4 Nations, so getting a chance in the Olympics could make up for some lost time when it comes to playing the world’s best.
“Very excited,” Ristolainen said. “Been injured in the past so it feels extra special being able to go.”
Canada is the heavy favorite to win this competition so there’s the usual pressure of being expected to win.
“I think that’s the mentality of Canada,” Tocchet said. “There’s a ton of pressure. I can’t speak for other countries but that’s the way Canada looks at it.”
Of course, there’s the two-way comfort level which Sanheim and Tocchet will enjoy. They speak daily around the Flyers, so a lot of the things they go over will be easily understood by both men.
“Just the relationship, I think that goes a long ways,” Sanheim said. “Starting off on the right foot. I was excited when he was named to coach this team.”
Be the first to comment