There may not be any current NHL players on the roster, but there are so many reasons to be excited for Team USA hockey in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Here are some names to remember as we get closer to the Opening Ceremonies:
- Jordan Greenway – Greenway was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the 2015 draft and he will be the first African-American player to ever play ice hockey for Team USA.
- Brian Gionta – Gionta is an NHL veteran who spent seven seasons with the Devils, five seasons with the Canadiens and the last three with the Sabres. Gionta was actually Team USA’s top goal scorer back in the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy. He will also serve as team captain.
- Chris Bourque – Bourque currently plays for the Hershey Bears of the AHL, but has some NHL experience. He played 51 games in the NHL for the Capitals, Penguins and Bruins. He is also the son of NHL legend Ray Bourque.
- James Wisniewski – Wiseniewski is a defenseman currently playing in Germany. He has bounced around in the NHL, playing over 500 games and spending time with the Blackhawks, Ducks, Islanders, Canadiens, Blue Jackets and Hurricanes.
Preliminary Olympic hockey action will commence on Wednesday, Feb. 14 with Team USA taking the ice at 7:10 a.m. EST. Quarterfinal action begins on Tuesday, Feb. 20 with the gold medal game set for Sunday, Feb. 25. U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
