Patrice Bergeron Excited NHL Gamers Will Compete At Winter Olympics

The passing years haven’t dimmed the Olympic flame, which burns inside Patrice Bergeron.

The Boston Bruins captain provided a easy rationalization to reporters Monday why he’s excited NHL gamers will compete on the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. NHL gamers haven’t featured within the Olympics since 2014, and Bergeron believes their return to the occasion in 2022 solely will improve publicity and curiosity in hockey.

“The Olympics is the best sports activities occasion on the planet,” Bergeron mentioned. “And also you need to have the most effective athletes competing in that occasion. It’s been an honor personally to be there twice and compete with my teammates and attempt to symbolize a rustic to the most effective of your means. It’s clearly nice information that as NHL gamers we’re going to be there and competing.

“I believe it’s among the finest hockey which you could watch. The followers all the time appear to be very enthusiastic about it. I’ve heard so much about it from the previous few Olympics (during which NHL gamers competed) the place in Sochi (Russia in 2014) and Vancouver (Canada in 2010) have informed me that it’s among the finest hockey that they’ve seen, so it was entertaining and enjoyable to look at. So I believe it’s thrilling for everybody, for the followers, for the gamers.”

Bergeron helped Canada win gold medals within the 2010 and 2014 Video games. He’ll vie to symbolize his nation once more in 2022.

“I believe as a participant you need to compete and be at your finest and be in these tournaments. Clearly, it’s not straightforward to do, and I don’t take it as a right in any respect,” Bergeron concluded. “Clearly it’s going to be exhausting to be on that crew, however it’s clearly an ideal problem.”

If Bergeron earns a spot on Canada’s roster, he’ll be a part of his Bruins boss, Bruce Cassidy, who’s one in every of Group Canada’s assistant coaches. Brad Marchand, Taylor Corridor, Charlie McAvoy and different Bruins gamers additionally would possibly compete in Beijing for his or her respective nations.