Imagine Mike Buckley as a sort of undercover operator. He’s not the villain who leaks sensitive state secrets for personal gain; rather, he possesses limited yet significant information that could influence high-stakes outcomes. Buckley serves as the goalkeeping coach for the Los Angeles Kings, with Darcy Kuemper as his primary student. Kuemper is set to represent Team Canada at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Hockey Tournament, while Buckley will be coaching Team USA. If all goes well, the two teams might face off in the final.
This setup raises the question: would Buckley sacrifice his NHL gear to help his national team secure gold? Buckley indicates that, while his daily interactions with players offer some insight, ultimately, the players must execute their skills—like knowing where to shoot or pass. He suggests he probably would be willing to give up his NHL equipment if it meant a gold medal. However, in reality, Buckley likely won’t face this dilemma—most of Canada’s starters, including goaltender Jordan Binnington, are expected to be in Milan, along with a handful of other NHL players split across various teams. Several Olympic participants such as Drew Doughty, Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala, and Joel Armia will face their club teammates in the tournament due to their national allegiances.
The Olympics often bring together athletes from rival countries—sometimes even teammates—creating a complex dynamic. For example, Finland’s Mikael Granlund and Sweden’s Leo Karlsson, both from the Ducks, won’t be playing against each other directly, but other matchups, like Armia of Finland versus Kempe of Sweden, will create intriguing tensions. Gudas, who plays for the Czech Republic, admits it’s odd seeing former teammates compete against each other but emphasizes it’s temporary.
This year’s Olympic Games mark a return of NHL players after two Olympics skipped due to controversies surrounding insurance, travel, and scheduling. With 147 NHL players representing 12 different teams, the tournament is a true showcase of talent. Nonetheless, some top players, like Russia’s Alexander Ovechkin, will miss out due to bans related to political issues, which dim some of the potential star power.
For many players, competing in the Olympics is about national pride. Finland’s Granlund, a bronze medalist in 2014, describes the experience as a profound honor, one that ranks high on his list of career highlights. Drew Doughty, already a two-time gold medalist, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the pride of wearing his country’s jersey—an experience he only truly feels during the Olympics, not during NHL games. Even team staff, like equipment manager Darren Granger, consider their role an immense honor, despite not receiving medals because of Olympic rules.
The event also highlights how international competition can temporarily pit teammates against each other—a reminder that, despite club loyalties, national pride often takes precedence. The Olympic atmosphere taps into a deep-rooted desire among players to represent their countries on the world stage, with many expressing immense pride and sentimental value tied to that honor.
Fan Take: This story underscores how the Olympics are more than just a tournament—they’re a celebration of national pride that can unite or divide teammates, adding a unique layer of emotion and rivalry to the sport. For hockey fans, it’s a reminder that the international stage is where true patriotism shines, often redefining what it means to be a team player.
