Ryan Kesler talks about representing Detroit at Olympic Winter Games
By Stefan Kubus –
DETROIT – Livonia native Ryan Kesler will be representing the entire United States in Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics, sure, but he’ll also be representing his metro-Detroit hometown and the state of Michigan.
Kesler was among the Sochi-bound Olympians from both Vancouver and Detroit that were honored prior to puck drop Monday night in the Red Wings’ last home game before the Olympic break. This will be the 29-year-old center’s second time donning the USA jersey in the Winter Olympics, as Kesler was a crucial part of his country’s run to a silver medal in 2010 – he had two goals and a plus-five rating in six games.
“It’s gonna be fun,” Kesler said. “It was a lot of fun in Vancouver and to be able to do it again is unreal.
“To represent Detroit over there is going to be fun. I know they’re all going to be watching.”
The former Selke Trophy winner and first-round draft pick won’t be making as many seasonal appearances in his native Detroit now that the Red Wings are in the Eastern Conference, so he said coming back to play in an arena just miles from where he grew up is even more enjoyable for him.
“It’s fun being back, it’s always fun coming back to Detroit, seeing friends and family,” Kesler said. “(I’ve been) getting prepared to go to Sochi. We’re on a 10-day road trip or something like that before we go over. It’s a whirlwind experience and I’m excited for it.”
In 57 games this season, the former Detroit HoneyBaked standout has racked up 19 goals – five game-winners – and 18 assists, and has been a dangerous, reliable forward in all situations for the Canucks. After the morning skate Monday, Detroit head coach Mike Babcock referred to Kesler as a “world-class player” and “the guy” for Vancouver.
Though he has to battle against the likes of the Swedish Sedin twins and Canadian goaltender Roberto Luongo – his teammates in Vancouver – for those two weeks, Kesler said those friendships are absolutely put on hold.
“For those two weeks we’re opponents. I’m not going to go out looking to hurt them, but I’m going to play them hard. I expect the same out of them. It’s a honor to play for your country and you’ve got to play hard when you play for your country.
The Olympics truly will feature the best players from each country battling it out for world supremacy, which makes it such an exciting hockey extravaganza. While the NHL boasts the best players in the world, there’s still others out there that remain elsewhere. With some talented former Russian NHLers like Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Radulov having defected back to the Kontinental Hockey League, some premier talent still lurks outside of the NHL.
“They’re all good teams, that’s why it’s the Olympics; the best players playing for the best teams,” Kesler said of the competition.