BOSTON – President Trump will not attend TD Garden for Team USA's game against Canada, but he will call the Americans Thursday morning ahead of the 4 Nations championship game.
Players have repeatedly emphasized that they don't want the tournament to be a political setting, but Americans, as they heard from the president, were respected, politics aside.
“It's pretty unbelievable,” Brock Nelson said. “Whenever I have the opportunity to meet, talk or hear the president, that's a big deal. I'll take time from his days to wish us good luck and just talk about enjoying the moment. To talk a bit about hockey players is pretty special. Something I will remember forever.”
Defensive man Zach Welensky said the conversation wandered out of hockey. Trump has spoken about golf along with other topics.
“To be honest, half of Cole wasn't even about hockey,” he said. “He was just talking, so I was a bit blacked out as I listened to him, but it was definitely cool.”
The political atmosphere around the tournament has been sideshowed by Trump, who has transformed Canada into a 51st province and threatened to call Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and “Governor Trudeau.” “Star Spangld Banner” met Booing in Montreal in the first week of the action.
In his true social post about the phone, Trump said it had annexed it into Canada.
“We're calling for a great American hockey team this morning and driving them towards tonight's victory over Canada,” Trump wrote. “I'll talk to the governor tonight in DC. So, sadly, I'll be present. We can't. But we're all watching. If Governor Trudeau wants to join us, he's welcome. Wishing everyone good luck and playing a great game tonight. So exciting!”
Team USA GM Bill Guerin told Athletic that Trump temporarily raised Canada as the 51st state while talking to the team.
Team Canada coach John Cooper jokes that he can come up with “one hell for a hockey team.” If the two countries were combined, Canadians wouldn't say much about it, but everyone involved was impressed by the tournament. .
“It's crazy to see how big this has grown,” Vincent Trocheck said. “Obviously, we have a great time with it. These games mean a lot to us, so to see how meaningful these games mean to everyone outside, no one. It's a good feeling to know that he's a bit involved.”
