Team Canada’s men’s hockey team will begin its tournament at the Winter Olympics on Thursday against Czechia, and excitement is mounting for players on the star-studded roster.
Forward Brad Marchand spoke with TSN’s Ryan Rishaug following a closed-door practice on Monday to discuss the mindset and mood around the Canadian team as they get set to start their journey for gold in Milan.
“The guys here are so competitive, and obviously everyone’s here for a reason. I think you gotta enjoy it too,” Marchand said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – except for [Sidney Crosby] and [Drew Doughty] – but you just gotta be able to enjoy the moment, have fun with it.”
The last time NHL players were allowed to compete in the Olympics was in Sochi in 2014, where Crosby’s goal in the second period helped Canada defeat Sweden 3-0 in the gold medal game. Doughty led all Canadian skaters with six points and four goals in that tournament.
Of the 25 players on this year’s roster, 23 of them are experiencing the Olympics for the first time.
“[Staying in the Olympic village] was great, it was really cool to be around all the different athletes,” Marchand said. “You can tell there’s a lot of excitement. I didn’t really know what to expect, but it’s been awesome, it’s just such an incredible environment in what it represents. I’d love to be able to be in the other villages as well, and meet all the athletes, see all the different sports, but it’s been awesome so far.”
Marchand, who carries a reputation around the league of being a pest and trash talker on the ice – and a comedian off of it – has enjoyed a laid-back mood in the opening days in the Olympic village so far.
“I think especially right now, where we have a few days in between games, [there’s a lot of room for joking around],” he said. “Once the games get going it’s going to get a little more serious. Everybody has built really good connections, especially with the [4 Nations Face-Off tournament] last year, so there’s a lot of joking around. Guys have really good relationships.
“Obviously there’s a time and a place where you gotta be really dialed in, really focused, but there’s definitely a place for playing around and having a good time because this is a pretty special opportunity,” Marchand said.
Marchand even took an opportunity to joke around with Rishaug after the reporter was not allowed to watch Monday’s practice session.
“Yeah I do [have some new linemates], I’m playing with Sid and [Connor] McDavid,” Marchand said with a laugh. “There’s your headline. I just got dirt on the right people.”
Canada is vying for its 10 gold medal in men’s hockey at the Olympics in Milan. The country won its last gold in 2014, with Olympic Athletes from Russia taking the gold in Pyeongchang in 2018 and Finland earning gold in Beijing in 2022.
