“It’s terrifying” to play waiting game as USA Womens’ Olympic team to be selected Friday

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
May 4, 2017

Wesley Chapel, Fla. – After four days of intense competition at Olympic selection camp, the waiting game is the only one left to be played.

Since Monday, 42 players have been a part of Team USA’s camp at Florida Hospital Center Ice vying for the right to be among the group of 23 players that will represent the United States in February at the 2018 Games in South Korea.

The final step in that process comes on Friday when the players selected will be revealed during a live broadcast on NHL Network at 1 p.m. EDT during an event at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

Waiting for the call to determine whether or not you have been selected to the team is a nerve-wracking experience no matter how experienced the player.

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”Whether it’s your third Games or your first Games, it’s terrifying, no one is really going to sleep well tonight,’’ two-time Olympian Hilary Knight said. “But that’s the greatest thing about this that this is going to be a tough decision, the coaches are going to have tough decisions to make and we are going to have the best team on the ice to represent our country.’’

As head coach Robb Stauber, a former NHL goaltender, and his staff of assistants and team scouts gather together to compare notes, review film and start to make their final evaluations to pare down the roster, it can make for some sleepless moments for the players awaiting their fate.

The key might be, however, to just try to stay as relaxed as possible. After four days on the ice, that included three scrimmage games, the work has done.

”I think you just have to enjoy the company of others, there’s really nothing else you can do,’’ said defenseman Megan Bozek, a member of the 2014 U.S. Women’s Olympic team. “The past five days here, it’s blood sweat and tears that go in to it. So just enjoy each other, we all know what is coming (Friday), so just enjoy the last night.’’

This years camp has been the most competitive, according to those who have done through the selection process before. Even with 14 former Olympians in camp, including eight two-time Olympians, there are very few secured spots on the final roster. Even with the 2017 IIHF World Championships having been completed last month, and the U.S. capturing the gold, jobs are on the line.

”This is a highly competitive group and a very competitive roster to get on to,’’ Knight said. “What we have accomplished this year off the ice only translates even more so on to the ice. So there’s a lot of chemistry that is going and it’s tough to slide in and make this team.’’

Tensions were running a bit higher than normal during the final scrimmage Thursday afternoon. During second-period action veteran Kacey Bellamy took a hard hit from Meghan Duggan along the end boards – checking is not allowed in the women’s game – that sent Bellamy hard in to the glass and sent sprawling on to the ice.

Bellamy took exception to the play and after getting back to her skates, went back at Duggan and delivered a hard cross check to the back. The two exchanged pleasantries, including a minor shoving match, before each were sent to the penalty box.

Bellamy and Duggan have both worn leadership letters during international play and have been teammates on two prior Olympic teams.

Seeing the two go at each other speaks to how competitive of a camp this has been and the difficulties in earning a roster spot.

”It’s the nature of the sport,’’ Bozek said. “Everybody is battling for a spot, battling for a position and if you see us play any other team, any other country, it’s the same exact way. There is no taking it easy here.’’

It’s become the culture of the program.

”We have 42 players here and it’s very competitive,’’ Stauber said. “At the end of the day, we expect that and every time our team gets together, it’s very competitive … And it has grown, the cuts are much more difficult every time.’’

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