The International Ice Hockey Federation, along with the National Hockey League and NHL Players' Association, announced this week the provisional rosters for the participating teams in the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
As of Friday, 11 of the 12 countries competing in the games have announced the first three players for their roster, all of which being players under contract in the NHL. The only country that did not announce its provisional roster was China.
The Buffalo Sabres have one player already named to an Olympic roster this February, as Zemgus Girgensons will represent his home nation of Latvia in the Winter Games.
“It’s definitely cool," Girgensons said on Friday following practice at KeyBank Center. "I went in Sochi, it’s an unbelievable experience to have as a player and I’m just happy to be a part of it again.”
This will be the second time Girgensons will represent Latvia in the Winter Games. He also played at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where he scored a goal and picked up an assist in five games.
Girgensons helped Latvia qualify for the Olympics back in August, where he picked up an assist in three qualifying games. Latvia punched its ticket to the Winter Games with a 3-0 record playing in group action against countries like France, Italy and Hungary.
“We had a great tournament," Girgensons said. "We played France the last game, it was a sold-out building. It was a great feeling to be in front of the fans. And for the guys, we’re celebrating like we won the [Stanley] Cup or something. For the guys back home, it means a lot. I’m glad to be a part of something like that.”
While NHL players will be eligible to play at the 2022 Winter Olympics, at the time of the qualification tournament, no one playing had any idea whether they would be heading to Beijing.
“It was tricky, even with the qualification because it wasn’t really decided if the players were going to go or not," Girgensons said. "But I still decided to go over and compete in the qualification because even if I wasn’t going, what it means to other players back home to go is a big thing.”
As for what it means for Latvia competing in the Winter Olympics, Girgensons said it means a lot to a country of just under two million people.
“It’s huge. Hockey’s big back home," he explained. "Every World Championship, they take it serious. Olympics is just the next level."
Girgensons is getting ready to return to action for Buffalo this fall after missing the entire 2020-21 season following season-ending surgery to repair a hamstring injury suffered in training camp.
The 27-year-old veteran is not only looking forward to getting back to game action with the Sabres, but he is liking the group of players he'll suit up with on a nightly basis.
“I mean, the young guys have been unbelievable in the camp," Girgensons said. "The way they carry themselves, the way they practice, workout, it definitely as taken a higher step since I got in the league. The young guys are willing to work and they’re ready to take the job right away. They don’t want to wait anymore.”
Also named to Latvia's roster for the 2022 Beijing Games includes San Jose Sharks prospect Rūdolfs Balcers and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Kristiāns Rubīns.
You can find the list of provisional rosters for the Winter Olympics here:
At Friday's practice, Buffalo was still without forwards Victor Olofsson and J-J Peterka, as well as defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. None of the three players will dress for the preseason finale on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings, according to head coach Don Granato.
Granato did sound optimistic that all three players could be ready to return to practice by Monday ahead of the 2021-22 regular season opener on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.
Here is a look at the lines from Friday's practice:
Forwards:
Skinner - Mittelstadt - Hinostroza (Hayden)
Asplund (Caggiula) - Thompson - Ruotsalainen
Jonsson-Fjallby - Cozens - Bjork
Eakin - Girgensons - Okposo
Defense:
Butcher - Jokiharju
Hägg - Pysyk
Bryson - Miller
Davidson - Fitzgerald
After practice on Friday, the team announced that defenseman Brandon Davidson has been assigned to the Rochester Americans, pending he clears waivers. Teams will have 24 hours to claim Davidson, if they choose to, and Buffalo will know that answer by 2 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Faceoff between the Sabres and the Red Wings is set for 3 p.m. ET at KeyBank Center on Saturday. Join Brian Koziol for official Sabres pregame coverage on WGR Sports Radio 550 starting at 2 p.m. ET.
