Hockey fans might not be happy that NHL players won't be at the Olympics, but they should be excited about the players that are going because they'll be realizing a lifelong dream and they'll be representing their country on the biggest international stage.

 

 

Exactly one year ago today I laid in a hospital bed after having surgery to fix a broken neck. Today I am so proud and excited to have been named to Canada’s Olympic Hockey Team. I look at the picture of me in the hospital and can’t help but cry. Mostly tears of happiness, but I am filled with so many emotions about what I have overcome. I could never have imagined that I would be so lucky one year later. I want to take this moment to thank everyone for all the amazing support along the way. Without my family and friends, I don’t think any of it would be possible. @jesselammers has been an absolute superstar through all of it. Thank you and I Love you. When I say family and friends that most definitely includes @matt_nichol @mgivelos @mikeprebeg @sk8onhockey @marylalancette @dmartella12 @carnz74 @biosteelsports , Dr.Forman, Dr.Ford, Dr.Galea . This amazing group helped me literally get back on my feet and then back on the ice. Absolutely thrilled to be representing Canada and defending Gold in Pyeongchang. @hockeycanada @teamcanada @olympics #olympics

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It's all about the stories of these players that have worked so hard and now have this incredible opportunity to represent their country.  

When it comes to Team Canada, these are players that once played in the NHL and are now playing in other countries because they love the game and want to keep playing the game they love.

One of the best things about representing your country at any international event from a player's perspective is getting that call, and in an interview with Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt, Team Canada GM Sean Burke talked about some of the calls he made to break the news to the players.

SB: We let [former NHL forward] Steve Thomas do the announcement to his own son, Christian, while we were on the other line. That was pretty cool to listen to how excited the family was. Chay Genoway was really funny about it. He said, “Hey, is everyone else being a lot cooler than I am?” He didn’t want to be as excited as he really felt. He was worried that the was going to be acting different. I said, “No, everybody’s excited Chay, you’re okay.” Wojtek Wolski, that was a good one, just because he’s come a long way. Then Quinton Howden, we had his [younger] brother [Brett] make the announcement to him, because he had just won the world junior and he played it off like, “Hey, have you heard anything?” We were on the other line. Quinton said, “I haven’t heard anything yet.” So Brett said to him, “Well I’m calling to let you know that you’ve made the team.” That was really neat to see another family story. Just a couple that had family hockey connections, we tried to do it a little differently with those guys, to stir up some pretty cool reactions. They were pretty incredible.

Our favourite story from the moments Burke shared was the Howden phone call.

Brett won gold with Canada at the World Juniors in Buffalo and for him to be the one to tell his brother he would be representing Canada at the Olympics was special to say the least.

These stories are the first of many we'll be hearing about these players and we ca't wait to hear other incredible stories about the players that will be chasing gold in February.

(H/T: Sports Illustrated)