Team USA’s roster is comprised entirely of NHL players, who are returning to the Games for the first time since 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
“We’re excited about the opportunity in front of us,” said Mike Sullivan, head coach of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and also the head coach of the NHL’s New York Rangers. “There’s nothing like the Olympics and I know our players are really excited for the chance to compete.”
Team USA arrived in full to Milan on Sunday (Feb. 8) and has had three practices and a morning skate today to get ready for tonight’s contest.
The U.S. and Latvia have met just once in Olympic play, ironically also in Italy in 2006 with the teams skating to a 3-3 tie in Torino to open preliminary round play. Current U.S. general manager Bill Guerin, who competed in three Olympic Winter Games, played in that contest.
Auston Matthews is serving as captain of Team USA, with Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk are the alternate captains. The trio held the same roles for the U.S. Men’s National Team in last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
