USA Olympic Hockey Team Gets Boost from NHL Stars Ahead of Winter Games
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The United States Olympic hockey team is gearing up for the Winter Games in Milan, Italy, with a star-studded lineup. Clayton Keller, Tage Thompson, and Seth Jones are among the newcomers joining Team USA, marking the first time NHL players will compete in the Olympics since 2010. The trio, along with six previously named players, will face off against Latvia, Denmark, and Germany in the preliminary rounds. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Sullivan, Team USA aims to secure its first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' team. Keller, a St. Louis native and captain of the Utah Mammoth, has a rich history with Team USA, having led the Americans to a World Championship gold in May. Despite a challenging season, Keller has posted 33 points in 40 games, tying for the team lead. Thompson, a Phoenix native and Buffalo Sabres forward, has enjoyed a strong season, leading the Sabres in scoring with 34 points in 38 games. He previously won a gold medal with Team USA at the World Championships. Jones, a 13-year NHL veteran, will bring his experience to the team, having earned a Stanley Cup ring with the Panthers in June. He has posted 24 points this season in 39 games and is looking to make a strong impact in his Olympic debut. The U.S. team will be announced on Friday morning on NBC's 'Today' show, with the Winter Games kicking off on February 11. Team USA is eager to bring home the gold and make history, as stated by forward Jack Eichel, who believes that anything short of a gold medal would be disappointing.
