It was doubtless that a number of members of the Boston Bruins would characterize their house nation within the 2022 Beijing Olympics in February. However on account of COVID-19 and a possible five-week quarantine in China ought to somebody take a look at optimistic, the NHL determined to not ship its gamers.
David Pastrnak already was a lock to play for Czech Republic, with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy prone to be chosen for Staff Canada and Staff USA, respectively.
For McAvoy, whereas he understands the choice, it would not make it any much less disappointing.
“Disappointment, for certain. Positively just a little little bit of disappointment,” McAvoy mentioned over Zoom on Thursday when requested how he felt concerning the choice. “I feel it is one thing that, if given the chance, I used to be completely going to go. I actually assume I used to be going to take pleasure in each second of it. I’ve dreamed of that for a very long time. So, disappointing. That is actually the one technique to describe it. However given the circumstances, it type of simply is what it’s.
“All people on the Bruins, all of our teammates that I feel had anticipated going or planning on having that probability, I feel everyone’s fairly saddened by it. I feel it was unanimous, all of us actually needed to go.”
Pastrnak echoed McAvoy’s sentiments, calling it “robust.”
“I am clearly annoyed, unhappy,” Pastrnak mentioned. “It is simply robust. I’ve mentioned many occasions, I do know that for European gamers, rising up as a child, that is your dream, to make it. It’s extremely unhappy that that is technically the second Olympics in a row that you just’re lacking as a participant.
“It is clearly no one’s fault. I do not blame anyone. It is simply the world we’re dwelling in. It is actually unlucky as a result of the Olympics do not occur each single 12 months. It is actually irritating and unhappy, however on the identical time I perceive the scenario we’re in, and the entire world is. … So it is actually unhappy, however I am lucky that I nonetheless have hope, and I actually hope that someday I’ll take part within the Olympics.”
For younger gamers like McAvoy, 24, and Pastrnak, 25, they will doubtless get one other probability to put on their nation’s jersey. However in relation to Marchand, 33, and Patrice Bergeron, 36, this will have been their final probability.
“It positively crossed my thoughts. I used to be fascinated about him,” Pastrnak when requested about Marchand. “Who would’ve thought 5, 10 years in the past he would’ve by no means had an opportunity? Clearly he is in a distinct scenario taking part in for Canada, the place there are such a lot of nice skills and a whole lot of gamers to select from.”
Now the main focus shifts again to the common season, getting wholesome and getting again to recreation motion.
The Bruins are set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 27 at TD Backyard.
