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ARLINGTON, VA — 4 years ago, Jonathan Quick was the No. 3 goaltender for Crew USA behind Tim Thomas and starter Ryan Miller. He did not see any motion within the 2010 Olympic Games, nor was he expected to. Coming off his rookie season in the NHL, Quick’s presence in Vancouver was strictly with an eye towards the longer term.
Four years later, that future is now, and with a Stanley Cup victory under his belt and four seasons of strong play, Fast has discovered himself now combating for the No. 1 job when Crew USA heads for Sochi in February.
As a 24 yr old on the Vancouver Video games, Quick was nonetheless studying his craft, and getting the opportunity to spend two weeks working alongside NHL veterans in Ryan Miller and Tim Thomas was useful.
“I used to be pretty young in the league at that time in my profession,” Fast stated at U.S. Olympic camp on Monday in Arlington, Va.
“I didn’t know many guys, especially guys around the staff. It gave me a possibility to meet a bunch of the guys and likewise watching [Ryan Miller] and how he prepared for games of that magnitude. It’s little issues here and there that you just decide up on.”
Part of the criteria that Team USA’s administration workers will use to judge gamers is their physique of labor and how they’re playing through the primary three months of the 2013-14 NHL season. Making a call on three goaltenders include the largest stress.
“I believe goaltending is the one position that’s extra in order that than the body of work,” said Group USA head coach Dan Bylsma. “How you’re taking part in and your play within the subsequent three-and-a-half months goes to be most essential for on the subject of that position and making choices in that regard.”
No matter who the Group USA staff decide will be the three goalies they take to Sochi, it’ll be a powerful bunch. Fellow gamers like Ryan Kesler and Keith Yandle have already recognized the staff’s biggest strength as goaltender, with Fast and Miller joined by Craig Anderson, Jimmy Howard and teenager John Gibson.
“It’s a deep, deep pool with a whole lot of good players who have good expertise,” stated Bylsma. “They’ve executed a good body of work. They’ve received championships; so it’s a tricky determination not just for the starter, but who are going to be the three goalies on our team.”
Even Fast’s rivals know he could be an asset for the U.S.
“I see [Fast] loads as a result of he’s in the West,” stated Yandle. “He’s normally shutting us out quite a bit, so it’s not a lot of fun playing against him, but it surely’s good to see him here the place he may doubtlessly be on this team.”
Miller was the most effective participant of the 2010 tournament, however his game, along with the Buffalo Sabres has slid. What was as soon as thought of as a lock is now anybody’s guess as to who will get the reigns for Sochi. That’s opened the door for Fast.
He wasn’t on the ice four years in the past, however to Fast, there was a lot to take out of that experience and use this time round.
“We completed quite a bit,” said Fast. “We weren’t anticipated to do much as a staff getting into to that match and the way in which we came together as a group and what we had been capable of accomplish means loads. It’s one thing that we will construct off.”
Jonathan Quick aims for U.S. starting role after taste of Olympics in Vancouver
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