The Rangers’ gold-medal winning team returned to their training facility on Wednesday, facing a stark contrast to their recent success at the Championship game in Milan, as they found themselves at the bottom of the standings.
Tired forwards Vincent Trocheck and JT Miller, along with Team USA’s head coach Mike Sullivan, hit the ice again as the Rangers geared up to resume their regular-season schedule. Their first game back is against the Flyers at the Garden on Thursday night.
“Before we even started the tournament, we knew how significant it was to win,” Miller reflected after practice in Tarrytown. “Then, once we were there, it felt surreal, like some sort of dream. Honestly, I haven’t had a moment to really digest everything. I’ve just been in the moment for the last few days, and I’m looking forward to sitting on the couch and chatting with my family about all this.”
The Rangers’ captain mentioned that he and Trocheck returned to New York around 2 a.m. after attending President Trump’s State of the Union address at the Capitol on Tuesday night, along with several other American players.
Earlier, they had celebrated in Miami, where Miller was in the spotlight for crowdsurfing and singing during a nightclub outing.
When asked if he had ever crowdsurfed before, Miller replied, “No, never. I’ve done karaoke once or twice, but this was a first for me. I figured, why not give it a shot if the opportunity arises?”
Sullivan returned home Wednesday afternoon, expressing pride in the U.S. team for securing its first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 Miracle on Ice team.
“It was an incredible performance. Working with such a talented group was a true honor,” Sullivan commented. “As I told everyone before heading there, it met all my expectations. For many, coming back with the gold medal was an extraordinary thrill, and I couldn’t be prouder of the players.”
Trocheck described the victory as “validation,” addressing doubts some had regarding their selection for Team USA.
“I think we demonstrated that we had a really strong team,” he noted.
Sullivan also beamed about Miller and Trocheck, two key forwards who stepped into fourth-line and penalty-killer roles in Milan.
“We felt confident that they would significantly contribute to our unity as a team,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder of those two.”
“They’re Rangers, but above all, they’re wonderful individuals and proud Americans. Their performance speaks volumes,” Sullivan added.
Trocheck labeled the gold medal win as “validation,” considering the skepticism surrounding their roster spots.
“We won the gold medal, right? That’s validation,” he stated. “For me, it’s about recognizing the chaos beforehand and seamlessly filling my role alongside JT, being fully engaged on the penalty kill, winning faceoffs in our defensive zone. Honestly, it feels validating. Bringing home a gold medal is something I’ll cherish forever.”
This achievement might ease the sting of a challenging season for the Rangers. Before the break, they had won only three out of their last 18 matches, sinking to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 22-29-6 as the March 6 trade deadline approached.
“I didn’t get much sleep today, but I know I need to get back on the ice with the team,” Miller mentioned. “There’s a game on Thursday, and I want to rejoin the guys and fall back into the rhythm. It’s good to reconnect with everyone.”
“This is where we, as professionals, realize our responsibilities. We need to shift the narrative in these last six weeks of the season.”
