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#trending | Olympics in 2018 confirmed glimpses of future NHL stars – ABC News: US
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The 2018 Olympics was a missed alternative for a number of the NHL’s finest players. Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon couldn’t crew up for Canada, whereas Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel didn’t have the prospect to hitch Patrick Kane for the U.S. Henrik Lundqvist was unable to win a second gold medal with Sweden, this time with Victor Hedman in entrance of him. Kirill Kaprizov, Jordan Greenway, Ryan Donato, Eeli Tolvanen, Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Dahlin, Pavel Francouz, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Ilya Sorokin all starred in the event, which was a glimpse of what was to come back for these now-dominant NHL players. The 2018 Olympics was a missed alternative to see the world’s finest players face off towards every other on the worldwide stage, and plenty of of these players have since gone on to take pleasure in nice success in the NHL.
Connor McDavid couldn’t crew up with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon for Canada. Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel didn’t get the prospect to play alongside Patrick Kane for the U.S. Henrik Lundqvist by no means received an opportunity to win a second gold medal with Sweden, this time with Victor Hedman in entrance of him.The NHL skipping the 2018 Olympics seems in retrospect like a significant mistake, because the world’s finest players have but to face off towards every other on the worldwide stage. Seems, the event in South Korea supplied a glimpse of what was to come back for a handful of players.5 years since starring for the Russians on their strategy to gold, Kirill Kaprizov is now a dominant drive for Minnesota. He performs with Jordan Greenway who paused his faculty profession to symbolize the U.S. in Pyeongchang alongside Seattle ahead Ryan Donato. Earlier than becoming a member of the Kraken and scoring at will this season, Eeli Tolvanen was roommates with Dallas defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who together with then-17-yr-outdated Swede Rasmus Dahlin are among the many finest on the place.Few knew about Czech goaltender Pavel Francouz earlier than he beat the U.S. in an elimination shootout in that event; now his title is on the Stanley Cup after helping Colorado win it final season. From Kaprizov to Francouz, the success tales from the 2018 Olympics are actually enjoying out in the NHL.“It’s a testomony to how good the hockey was there,” stated Donato, who tied with Kaprizov and Ilya Kovalchuk for the event lead with 5 targets. “You had loads of guys who performed in the NHL for a very long time. You form of received a way that if these guys might cling round loads of longtime NHLers, that it could bode nicely for his or her profession.”It has for Kaprizov, who was one of the best participant on the ice for these two weeks whereas nonetheless being an unproven NHL prospect. Just one participant had more factors than Kaprizov and Tolvanen, who knew all about his Russian counterpart from their time dealing with off in the KHL.“Because the first game we performed towards them, I knew that he was going to be a very good participant,” stated Tolvanen, who had three targets and 6 assists in 5 games on the Olympics earlier than turning 19. “There was not much discuss in North America at the moment about him, however all people that performed in the KHL or performed towards the Russians on the nationwide stage knew that he’s the real deal.”Tolvanen and Heiskanen seemed just like the real deal on the time, too. Heiskanen was the third pick in the draft, Tolvanen went later in the primary spherical after which they have been roommates whereas teaming up for Finland.Heiskanen is now a standout for Dallas in the NHL Tolvanen languished with Nashville earlier than happening waivers this season. Claimed by the Kraken, he has since scored 9 targets in 20 games. “It appears like it’s actually helped him to get to the brand new place and get some more minutes there,” Heiskanen stated. “It’s nice to see the success.”For all their particular person successes, Francouz is the one participant from the 2018 Olympics to win the Stanley Cup since. The Avalanche turned the primary crew since 1972 to hoist the Cup after two goalies received no less than 5 games every throughout their run, they usually can, in half, thank Francouz’s experience 5 years in the past for placing him on the radar.“I suppose the scouts knew me from the KHL, they usually form of knew what my game seemed like,” Francouz stated. “However I really feel like it undoubtedly helped me that they noticed me in particular person on the event and noticed what I’m able to.”Dahlin, now with Buffalo, received into simply two games with Sweden; New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin performed in one for the Russians; and Rangers Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin was the No. 3 goalie behind veteran nationwide crew starter Vasili Koshechkin.Sorokin stated Koshechkin “confirmed me how he works and performs in very large-stress games, essential games.” Dahlin felt the identical approach working towards with older Swedes.“I was having fun with each second,” Dahlin stated. “I didn’t play much, however I had a blast.”Now the Sabres’ top defenseman, Dahlin is enjoying loads. Solely 2010 Olympic gold medalist Drew Doughty and 2022 Norris Trophy winner and playoff MVP Cale Makar — who turned down Canada’s invite to the Olympics 5 years in the past — are seeing more ice time this season than Dahlin.Lastly seeing high quality ice time in the NHL, Tolvanen is thriving with Seattle.“It seems like again in 2018: that yr when I performed in the world juniors and the Olympics and KHL,” Tolvanen stated. “That was a fun yr, and I form of really feel the identical approach proper now.”Now professionals, Donato, Greenway and Co. look again fondly on the bonds constructed enjoying at what Donato known as a “excellent storm” Olympics with no NHL players.“The blokes who you probably did that with and skilled that with, you’ll at all times have that connection,” Greenway stated. “We discuss it. We at all times will.”After pandemic-associated schedule interruptions saved the NHL out of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the plan is for players to participate in 2026 in Milan.Those that participated in 2018 received sufficient of a style to need to go once more.“You see all of the other athletes, you see all of the buses going across the Olympic village, and also you go see other athletes compete,” Tolvanen stated. “It’s a dream come true to play there as an 18-yr-outdated, however it’s one thing that for positive I need to be part of once more.”___Follow AP Hockey Author Stephen Whyno on Twitter at NHL: and
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Dave Petchy
