Fox said his conversation with Guerin was about not making the team, so while it’s possible he could be an injury replacement should the U.S. need one on defense before the Olympics begin on Feb. 11, he’s not certain about that possibility.
“It was more just the news of not making it,” Fox said. “You never know with injuries, but I guess if that happens to come we’ll see, you know.”
Fox and Rangers coach Mike Sullivan, who is also the U.S. Olympic team coach, did not appear to be concerned that their relationship could be adversely affected by the decision to keep him off the roster.
Rangers assistant David Quinn is also an assistant on Sullivan’s staff for the Olympics, and New York general manager Chris Drury is part of Guerin’s executive staff that selected the team.
“The focus from the start of the year has been with the Rangers and whatever that decision it’s still a season, we’ve got a lot of games until that break,” Fox said. “I think my focus is still with the Rangers and trying to win some games here.”
Sullivan said he’s had conversations with Fox about the Olympics, but he would not reveal the details of those.
“What I will tell you is that these teams that are being picked are the best of the best and there’s so many good players, and there are very, very difficult decisions that have to be made,” Sullivan said. “It is a collaborative effort on everybody’s part and that’s just the reality of these circumstances. We’ll do our very best to be as professional and straightforward as we can be with everyone that’s involved. ‘Foxy’ and I have had a number of conversations, and I’ll keep those between us.”
