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

It’s wanting increasingly more probably that NHL gamers gained’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 probably gamers equivalent to Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand would symbolize 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 symbolize his house 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 stated earlier than, to symbolize your nation is an honor with one of the best gamers on this planet. You’re taking part in in opposition to one of the best gamers on this planet, you’re round one of the best athletes on this planet the entire entirety of it, for me, recollections you’d always remember,” Cassidy stated over Zoom on Tuesday. “However I don’t know in the event that they’re going to go or not. Like I stated, 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 otherwise.”

Reviews 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 disenchanted. I’ve by no means been, as most individuals haven’t,” Cassidy stated. “I used to be actually wanting ahead to it. … Till we hear from the NHL and Doug Armstrong, in our case, who’s the overall supervisor for Staff Canada, we’re going to hope they discover a solution to get it accomplished. If not, then hopefully down the street there shall be one other alternative.”

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

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