Patrick Kane has a history of making things a big deal.
When Blackhawks teammate Adam Burish and his agent Bill Zito wanted to put in a charity game during the previous NHL lockout in 2012-13 Jaelen Strong Jersey , Kane jumped on board and helped generate buzz for the event in the Chicago suburbs.
Zito hasn’t forgotten that and on Monday got to name Kane as the United States captain for the upcoming IIHF World Hockey Championship next month in Denmark.
”When we talked to him about this, his passion for hockey, his enthusiasm for the game is wonderful,” Zito told The Associated Press by phone. ”Just thrilled that he’s part of it.”
Kane last played at the world championships in 2008, his first in the NHL and the last time the Blackhawks missed the playoffs. The three-time Stanley Cup winner’s presence should improve the quality of play at the tournament and the interest in fellow U.S. players to join him.
”I think what it says is it doesn’t matter where you are in hockey, if you love the game T.J. Green Jersey , you want to be part of it and respect USA Hockey and Pat Kane showed up,” Zito said. ”It’s really exciting. I think it’s exciting for the whole tournament. It’s a great day for USA Hockey and for hockey in general.”
Kane played for the U.S. at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and next month will lead a strong team that includes Buffalo Sabres rookie and world junior MVP Casey Mittelstadt and possibly Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin.
”Any time you get to wear the USA sweater, it’s super exciting,” Mittelstadt said. ”So for me, to go out there and get to play with some of the best American players and obviously make a push for a gold medal, it’s going to be something that’s really good for my development.”
Jeff Blashill Kenny Golladay Jersey , who coaches Larkin in Detroit, is back after making his international coaching debut at worlds a year ago.
”He’s experienced,” Zito said of Blashill. ”He’s been there before. He was hungry to go. And I think he brings a nice balance. He brings a great balance of the technical expertise of the game – he’s a student of the game and he’s studying, he’s always into the little nuances that make up a game – as well as the personal, one-on-one to get the most out of the individuals.”
Former Pittsburgh Penguins and Sabres coach Dan Bylsma, Blackhawks assistant Don Granato and U.S. National Team Development Program coach Seth Appert were named as Blashill’s assistants. Granato is an assistant months after brother Tony was coach of the U.S. Olympic team.
Hockey Canada named Bill Peters of the Carolina Hurricanes as its head coach for the tournament with Florida’s Bob Boughner and St. Louis’ Mike Yeo as assistants. NHL leading scorer Connor McDavid and likely rookie of the year Mathew Barzal are among those expected to play for Canada.
”Canada has always managed to bring together elite-level coaches and players Brandon Linder Jersey , and we’re again fortunate to be led by an experienced coaching staff for this year’s world championship,” co-general manager Sean Burke said.
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AP Hockey Writer John M. Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, contributed
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The ”Honey Badger” is leaving the desert.
The Arizona Cardinals released one of the team’s most popular players, safety Tyrann Mathieu, on Wednesday after the two sides couldn’t rework his contract.
Mathieu was due for $18.75 million of his contract to be guaranteed when the league year officially begins. By cutting him Todd Gurley II Jersey , Arizona will save close to $5 million in cap space.
Mathieu became a star in the Arizona secondary and a fiery leader of the defense after being selected in the third round of the 2013 draft following a troubled college career at LSU. He was an All-Pro in 2015, when he had five interceptions and 17 passes defensed.
But he also has been plagued by injuries and only last season did Mathieu appear in all 16 games.
”I’ve never made a secret that Tyrann has always had a special place in my heart and always will,” Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said in a statement announcing the release. ”While we all understand this is a part of the business, that certainly doesn’t make it any easier. We all wish Tyrann nothing but continued success in his career and beyond.”
