Olympic pride on Nailers
February 27, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - All the buzz in the hockey world is about the exciting Olympic tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Games. And the talk and pride is no bigger than among the Wheeling Nailers players. The United States take on Canada Sunday at 3:00 p.m. eastern in the big rematch to decide who gets the gold.
Wheeling features mostly Canadian born players who are pulling for their home country to win gold on home soil for the first time in the proud history of the sport they invented. And the handful of Americans on the team are getting behind this young squad that has shocked the hockey world by going 5-0 en route to the Gold Medal game.
Jordan Fox was raised outside of St. Louis in Kirkwood, Missouri but he has dual citizenship since he was born in Canada.
"I'm rooting for Canada. That's where I was born," Fox said."
"My Mom after the U.S. vs. Canada game (last week) texted me all happy that the U.S. won. So it's kind of a split battle between the family. My grandparents are from Canada and then some of my other family are from the states. So it's a little bit different but I think Canada is going to get the win for sure."
The cheering for each side within his family is similar to some of the good-natured talk among the Nailers players and the split allegiances.
Aaron Clarke hails from Peterborough, Ontario. The third year Nailers forward said he's been enjoying the games. "The Canada vs. U.S. game last week: I didn't see that coming. But it's all been entertaining so far."
Clarke added that these Olympics are a particularly big deal to his home country. "Back home a lot of people watch it and they expect them to win gold so if you don't it's kind of a letdown. It's a lot of pressure when you're playing on your home soil to win a gold."
Colin Power is a rookie forward from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland who played collegiately at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He echoed Clarke's sentiments on the importance of the games. "Just like anything I guess, if you're playing at home it's a great privilege to win in front of your home crowd."
T.J. Fox is in the minority among the Nailers as an American citizen. The Oswego, New York native has been impressed with the surprising performance of the Americans. "I'm happy to see the U.S. do as well as they are. I feel like they've come a long way with their program and it's good for the youth today to be watching this and want to be a part of it. It's all heart on that team. They work together as a big group. The main thing is that they're outworking a lot of the teams and wants they're getting their wins. And it's good for the program."
T.J. Fox continued that if the U.S. could bring home the gold it could be a big deal for his favorite sport in his home country. "Winning the gold would be a huge boost and I feel like that could put hockey back on the map in the States. It's not one of the major sports as far as television is concerned but I feel (last week's) win vs. Canada really opened some eyes. Hopefully they win gold and the sport gets some more coverage in the U.S."
Thomas Beauregard is in his 3rd season playing professional hockey in the United States having spent two years with Cincinnati and now enjoying his first year with Wheeling. So the Montreal native has some thoughts on how important a gold medal is to Canadian fans. "I don't think (the Americans) realize how important it is to us because hockey is not their national sport. If you look on the TV everyday it's basketball or football every day and you barely see hockey."
Ryan Schnell is not just from Cary, Illinois but also can identify with playing for one's country due to his experience with the U.S. National Developmental Program.
"It would be huge (if the USA won gold). Looking back it just seems every year U.S.A. Hockey gets closer to making more of a name for ourselves every year. Obviously Canada and Russia have really made they mark on hockey and I think we're getting really close to that. So it would be great if we could get the win."
All the Wheeling Nailers will be closely watching on Sunday as they cheer for their respective countries. And one group will be able to beam with pride that their country took the gold.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from February 27, 2010
- Idaho completes series sweep, 7-1 - Alaska Aces
- Steelheads sweep Aces - Idaho Steelheads
- Chiefs cruise past Cyclones - Johnstown Chiefs
- Stingrays Fall in Overtime 5-4 to Everblades - South Carolina Stingrays
- Devils Explode Past Royals In Standings, On Scoreboard - Trenton Devils
- Checkers struggle to find back of net, lose 5-2 to Wings - Charlotte Checkers
- Jackals silence Nailers - Elmira Jackals
- Everblade Kevin Baker Nets Hat Trick with OT Game-Winner Against South Carolina - Florida Everblades
- Royals Throttled by Devils, 7-1 - Reading Royals
- K-Wings clip Checkers - Kalamazoo Wings
- Nailers lose in road-trip finale at Elmira - Wheeling Nailers
- Johnstown Drops Cyclones, 6-2 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Gladiators Sink Walleye - Atlanta Gladiators
- Walleye Fall To Gwinnett - Toledo Walleye
- Olympic pride on Nailers - Wheeling Nailers
- Taylor Returns to Gwinnett - Atlanta Gladiators
- New York Rangers Reassign Miika Wiikman to ECHL Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder At Las Vegas Wranglers - Stockton Thunder
- Game Preview: Condors Vs. Victoria - Bakersfield Condors
- Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Jackals Game Preview: Wheeling At Elmira - Elmira Jackals
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Head South To Battle Everblades - South Carolina Stingrays
- Thunder drop third straight behind second period Las Vegas rally - Stockton Thunder
- Reign Defeats Grizzlies, 7-3 - Ontario Reign
- Condors reel in Salmon Kings, 3-2 - Bakersfield Condors
- Victoria loses 3-2 in Bakersfield - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Wranglers Cruise Past Thunder 5-2 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Ontario Breaks 3-3 Third Period Tie; Beats Utah 7-3 - Utah Grizzlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
