OLYMPICS: Ice hockey-US carry bruises and scars into Games campaign, says coach

MILAN – The United States women’s ice hockey team will start their Olympic campaign on Thursday at the Milano Cortina Games with confidence, not nerves, said coach John Wroblewski. The top-ranked team enters the tournament as the favorites, aware that every opponent will be aiming to knock them off their stride.

The world champions come off a dominant four-game sweep of Canada, their long-time rivals and the defending Olympic champions, in the Rivalry Series.

“In February 2023 or 2024, Canada was cleaning us up in Rivalry. We weren’t even getting the puck. I remember those bruises and scars,” Wroblewski said. He has assembled a youthful squad designed to handle the physical and mental demands of the Olympics. “I want to give them the confidence that they’ve earned their spot here.”

The U.S. opens against the Czech Republic, whose team is considered a potential podium contender despite only one previous Olympic appearance. The preliminary stage also sets up a rematch of the 2022 gold medal game when the U.S. faces Canada on February 10.

“If you’re white-knuckling now – if it is all about just competing and effort – you are in trouble,” Wroblewski said. “There has to be a lot of muscle memory and confidence that you are ready to go out and perform, rather than just compete.”

-Reporting by Amy Tennery in Milan; Editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters