Bruce Cassidy ‘Was Actually Wanting Ahead’ To Teaching At Olympics

It’s wanting increasingly more seemingly that NHL gamers received’t head to China for the 2022 Beijing Olympics after COVID-19 made its manner by way of a number of organizations, together with Bruce Cassidy’s Boston Bruins.

It was seemingly gamers resembling Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand would signify Staff Canada in China, whereas David Pastrnak already was named to Staff Czech Republic. Cassidy was named as an assistant coach for Canada for the primary time to signify his residence nation, however he is aware of the choice is out of his management.

“I do know there’s some dialogue whether or not the gamers are going or not and clearly, as I mentioned earlier than, to signify your nation is an honor with the most effective gamers on the planet. You’re taking part in in opposition to the most effective gamers on the planet, you’re round the most effective athletes on the planet the entire entirety of it, for me, recollections you’d always remember,” Cassidy mentioned over Zoom on Tuesday. “However I don’t know in the event that they’re going to go or not. Like I mentioned, there was discussions about staying again. I don’t know the place that’s at. … However we’re planning on persevering with to organize till we’re instructed in another way.”

Studies surfaced Tuesday that the NHL and its gamers’ affiliation came to a decision to not ship gamers abroad.

“Sure, I’ve heard the rumblings. I’d be very upset. I’ve by no means been, as most individuals haven’t,” Cassidy mentioned. “I used to be actually wanting ahead to it. … Till we hear from the NHL and Doug Armstrong, in our case, who’s the final supervisor for Staff Canada, we’re going to hope they discover a approach to get it executed. If not, then hopefully down the highway there will likely be one other alternative.”

For older gamers like Bergeron, 2022 could be the final likelihood to play within the Olympics.

On the finish of the day, the Bruins are targeted on getting wholesome and (hopefully) returning to sport motion Dec. 27 in opposition to the Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Backyard.