If you are an ice hockey fanatic like most Canadians, you have already heard the good news. “Pietrangelo submitted by Canada” has been making headlines since general manager Doug Armstrong made his decision. Looking at the team line-up so far, the 2022 Beijing tournament will be one to look forward to!
Names of McDavid, Crosby, and Pietrangelo submitted by Canada for the 2022 Olympics
On Sunday, Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong announced that Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Alex Pietrangelo are the first names submitted to be a part of Canada’s men’s hockey team for the 2022 Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee asked the participating teams to declare at least three players last month. The choices for the Canadian hockey team were pretty straightforward. The names of Crosby, McDavid, and Pietrangelo were sent to the Canadian Olympic Committee, which was later forwarded to the International Olympic Committee.
Curious to know what led to the decision? Read on!
Sidney Crosby was voted as team leader.
In an interview with NHL.com, Doug Armstrong said that McDavid, Crosby, and Pietrangelo are at the top of their game in the League, and they have proven to be winners time and again.
Even fans know all three have amassed a wealth of professional experience from playing in the 2014 Sochi Olympics Team, the World Cup Hockey Team of 2016, and the Stanley Cup.
Crosby has the most experience out of the three, and before it was even mentioned that he could be the captain, he was the unsaid team leader. The Beijing Tournament will be Crosby’s third Olympic Games. The first two were in Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi in 2014, where Crosby led the Canadian team to win the gold medal.
The 34-year-old ice hockey player is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he was also the team captain when Canada emerged victorious in the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.
When Crosby was the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, he led one of hockey’s most memorable moments in history. He scored overtime in the gold medal game and gave Canada a 3-2 victory against the United States team at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Doug Armstrong also mentioned that he trusts Crosby more than any other player to lead the team because of their past relationship. After numerous conversations with Crosby, he is certain that there is no better man to lead the Canadian Hockey Team than Crosby.
There are many reasons behind Armstrong rooting for Sidney Crosby to be the team leader. The rest of the teammates are always in awe of Crosby’s abilities, and they seem to respect him. Besides, Crosby can help the coaching staff by delivering their expectations to the rest of the team.
McDavid’s first Olympics
24-year-old Connor McDavid has created quite the name for himself by acting as the team captain for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NFL). At just the age of 24, he is considered to be one of the best players of his era. He is a two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner, as the most promising player in the NHL/
The 2022 Olympics will be Connor McDavid’s first Olympics tournament. McDavid told reporters on Tuesday that it’s a great honor to be among the first choice for the Canadian Hockey Team. Additionally, the opportunity is humbling and exciting, especially since he has been named along with elite company (referring to his teammates Sidney Crosby and Alex Pietrangelo).
If you cannot visit the games in real life but still want to feel a part of the entire adrenaline rush, then you can safely place your bets on the most popular NHL betting odds. You know where the odds lie when it comes to ice hockey.
Alex Pietrangelo submitted by Canada
Last but not least, 31-year-old defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was the third name submitted by Canada to the International Olympic Committee for the 2022 Beijing tournament. Pietrangelo is one of the few players to have an extensive career of experience. For his first 12 NHL seasons, he was with the Blues and was the team captain for the final four. Afterward, he entered a seven-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020. It will be Pietrangelo’s second Olympics for Canada.
Pietrangelo was at the center of anchoring Canada’s dominant blue line during its gold medal run at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He also won the Stanley Cup for the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
Doug Armstrong has publicly stated that his relationship with Alex Pietrangelo goes way back. Armstrong had been the St. Louis Blues general manager since July 2010 and had witnessed Pietrangelo’s leadership in the Stanley Cup.
Therefore, Alex Pietrangelo will be an invaluable addition to the team. It is also believed that the elite trio may prove to be lucky for the Candian Hockey Team at the 2022 Olympics.
Doug Armstrong has been voted as the Canadian general manager
There are only a few Canadians who have as much experience as Doug Armstrong does in matters related to hockey. Armstrong was appointed to his post earlier this year, on February 3.
He was thought of as the best man for the job, given his involvement in Team Canada’s management group for the 2002 Olympics, followed by 2010 and 2014.
Canada’s coaching and management staff held several meetings last month in Alberta and Banff where the decision to list Sidney Crosby, Alex Pietrangelo, and Connor McDavid was made. Their upcoming task will be to fill out the remaining team roster and submit it to the International Olympic Committee. They have to list 55 players, and this has to be completed by October 15.
Conclusion
The Canadian Hockey Team has been drawn into Group A of the men’s ice hockey tournament, where they will compete for the trophy against the United States, China, and Germany, in Beijing 2022.
The Beijing Tournament is predicted to be held between February 4 to 20, where the ice hockey matches will be played at the Wukseong Arena and the Beijing Indoor National Stadium.
