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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporterJun 28, 2024, 04:34 PM ET
CloseKristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.
LAS VEGAS — Auston Matthews has represented Team USA in the past. But never for something like this.
The Toronto Maple Leafs center and Scottsdale, Arizona, native was one of six initial skaters named on Friday to the United States’ roster for the league’s upcoming 4 Nations Tournament, which also features Canada, Finland and Sweden. The showcase will run from Feb. 12-20, 2025, in both Boston and Montreal.
NHL players haven’t been allowed to take part in the Olympics since 2014 (although they’ll be eligible to go again in 2026) and 4 Nations will be the first NHL-run best-on-best opportunity since the 2016 World Cup. During that event a then-18-year-old Matthews was part of the upstart Team North America. This time around he’ll be starring for his home country and Matthews couldn’t hide his excitement about the prospect of donning that jersey again.
“It’ll be really special,” Matthews said during a media availability Friday ahead of the NHL Draft at the Sphere. “It’s always special to put (the USA sweater) on, and it’s obviously a huge honor. I’ve been fortunate to wear it before, but nothing like the stage of a 4 Nations or the Olympics. That’s a different level and a very big honor. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Matthews will be joined on America’s roster by fellow forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel, plus defensemen Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy and Adam Fox. The rest of their 23-man team — along with full rosters for the other three competing nations — will be announced at a later date.
All six of Team USA’s players came up through the U.S. National Team Development program, with several of their tenures there overlapping. Matthews recounted his fondest memory while there was winning gold at the U-18 tournament in 2014, with a lineup that included Eichel too.
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Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40453491/matthews-proud-part-team-usa-special-roster
Author : Kristen Shilton
Publish date : 2024-06-28 21:42:57
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