Torey Krug in not on Olympic Team, but he’s focused on being a Boston Bruin.
Dec 28, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) during warmup prior to game against Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins are a very international team. The Bruins will be sending players to play on four different Olympic teams, and I think we were all hoping that a certain American player would hit the bubble and make it five. A lot of us knew that Torey Krug at best had an outside chance of making this year’s Olympic team. Those dim hopes faded when they announced the US Olympic team after the Winter Classic and Krug wasn’t on the list.
Torey Krug knew his odds were dim to start with, and he expressed that to ESPN.com.“I knew I didn’t really have much of a sniff in the first place.” “They can say all they want, but I never really had a sniff. I’m a younger guy, and coming into the league at my age gives you more opportunities to put yourself in a position to be considered for an Olympic team.”
Krug did have a chance to impress Team USA’s head coach Dan Blysma when the rookie Krug got put into the lineup to cover injuries on the squad. He complied an impressive string of goals including an overtime winner in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals against Blysma’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Looking at the roster of the current selected blueliners for Team USA, Krug’s 5′ 9″ height does stand out in contrast. Krug commented on that in a separate interview with USA Today.
“I’ve never been a player that USA hockey has liked all that much, for whatever reason.”Maybe it’s a size thing? I don’t know. I’m just worried about things that are going on with the Bruins. If down the road I’m considered for such a thing it would be pretty special, and pretty cool. I’ll just keep working hard, and if they do send the call my way then that would be cool.”
Krug currently leads all rookie defensemen in the NHL with twenty points(eight goals). He’s still prone to the occasional rookie mistake which could have been the biggest reason why Team USA chose to exclude him. He’s more worried about getting the Bruins solid positioning in the post season. Krug has done an excellent job since training camp, and has earned the right to wear that spoked ‘B’. Besides, there is always the 2018 Winter Olympics. That’s four years away, and Krug just wants to pay attention to the here and now.
“I’m not really focused on it. When you hear about it, I’m really more focused on my spot up here [at the NHL level]. There have been ups and downs, and I’m just focused about getting out of the downs. I haven’t really thought much about it.”