By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
The Boston Bruins organization has a rich history of showcasing its top talent on the world stage. The last time National Hockey League players were permitted to participate in the Olympics was in 2014 in Sochi, Russia. During that event, the Bruins had players who won medals at each level: Patrice Bergeron won Gold with Canada, Loui Eriksson earned silver with Sweden, and Tuukka Rask took home bronze with Finland. As we look ahead to the upcoming Olympic cycle, the organization will likely achieve similar success, with many players expected to make a significant impact by representing their home countries.
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Jeremy Swayman – United States
Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman is expected to be one of the three goaltenders selected to represent the United States. This won’t be Swayman’s first time representing his country; he was part of the 2018 US World Junior Championship team that won a bronze medal in Buffalo, New York. He had a brief opportunity to play in the bronze medal game against Czechia, where he made one save on one shot and finished the tournament with a 1.000 save percentage. Swayman has had a sluggish start to the 2024-25 season, but he has still proven to be a world-class goalie; given the injury to Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, the Anchorage, Alaska native will play a more prominent role than initially thought.
David Pastrnak – Czechia
David Pastrnak recently represented his country and won the 2024 World Hockey Championship. He joined the Czech national team after the Bruins’ second-round playoff exit and played a crucial role in their success. Pastrnak electrified the crowd by scoring a game-sealing goal with ten minutes remaining, contributing to the team’s gold medal finish. He is expected to play on the first line in future games. His goal sent the nation of Czechia into a frenzy as fans crowded the streets during the parade to support the team. So far this season, Pasta has eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 24 games, showing off his elite vision and shot-creating ability.
Joonas Korpisalo – Finland
Finland has established itself as a powerhouse for developing goaltenders, producing players such as Pekka Rinne, Tuukka Rask, and Juuse Saros. Joonas Korpisalo has represented his country at nearly every level, competing for the U16, U17, U18, U19, U20, and World Championship teams. While it’s unlikely he will be the starting goalie for Finland over Saros, he may still see playing time during the round-robin stage. Initially, Korpisalo was off the projections to make the Olympic team, but he deserved a mention due to his stellar play as of late.
Brad Marchand – Canada
Canada has been gradually announcing its roster as the Four Nations Cup approaches, and Brad Marchand has already secured a spot on the team. The last time Marchand represented Canada was during the 2017 World Cup of Hockey, where the team won a gold medal. Brad recorded 8 points in 6 games during that tournament. Since then, he has demonstrated that he is a skilled goal scorer and a strong leader on and off the ice, which will be a significant asset for Team Canada. Despite the tough start to the season, Marchand looks like he found his stride, scoring two goals in a recent game against the New York Islanders.
Charlie McAvoy – United States
Like Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy has been selected to represent the United States in international competition. He is one of six players chosen in the initial selection wave for the Four Nations Cup. McAvoy will be a valuable addition to the US’s strong defensive lineup. He played a crucial role in the US’s victory at the World Junior Championship in 2017, where he scored an important goal in the Gold Medal Game against Canada. The US ultimately won that match in a shootout. McAvoy will be expected to lead this United States defense.
Hampus Lindholm – Sweden
Hampus Lindholm is a player well-acquainted with representing his home country, Sweden. Since the age of 16, he has participated at every level for the national team. According to Elite Prospects, Lindholm has yet to score a goal for Team Sweden in any tournaments he has played. However, he typically doesn’t leave these tournaments empty-handed, as he often records numerous assists and maintains a positive plus/minus rating. Lindholm had a solid start to the season before, unfortunately, getting injured, but he is expected to come back before the Four Nations Cup.Ā
I think it’s essential to consider a few points. The Olympics are over a year away. A lot could change. Dans Locmelis recently helped his home country, Latvia, secure Olympic qualification. Although Locmelis is a draft pick for the Bruins, he has yet to sign with the team. He returned to UMass Amherst this fall to continue his development and has taken the nation by storm with 14 points in 14 games. Additionally, newcomer Nikita Zadorov could participate in the Olympics if Russia is allowed to compete. If Russia cannot compete, France will take its place in Group D. Once again, the Bruins will have a strong showing in the Four Nations Cup and the Olympics.
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