Posted on 02/06/2018 5:27:16 PM PST by UB355
There are an incredible number of Badgers who have competed in the Olympics (by my count, well over 100), and seven current or former UW-Madison athletes will add their names to this prestigious list in Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Olympics from Feb. 8–25. In total, 14 current or former Badgers will either coach or play hockey in the coming games for USA or Canada.
Unfortunately, Jim Johannson, who passed away Jan. 21, will be greatly missed by Team USA. The former Badger and Admiral great was serving as Team USA men’s hockey’s general manager before he left. Perhaps it should be argued that he is indeed the 15th Badger at the games, as he will be followed on Team USA by fellow Badgers Tony Granato and Chris Chelios.
Let’s take a look at which former Badgers are going to be involved in the Olympics, how to watch them, and what storylines to consider when watching.
(Excerpt) Read more at buckys5thquarter.com ...
I have a friend whose son played for Wisconsin and was on the 2006 Frozen 4 winning Badgers team. He was able to visit and attend a number of games over those years and couldn’t believe the size and enthusiasm of the crowds for US college hockey. In Canada Major Junior hockey is king and university hockey an afterthought. It’s unfortunate because most players on Canadian university teams are former Major Junior players who are bigger and stronger than when they played Junior. The hockey is fast and hard hitting.
I graduated UW in Dec. 1979, just before the 1980 Olympics. There were so many Badgers involved, including speed skaters Eric and Beth Heiden and many players and coach from the Miracle on Ice team, that after the games there was a celebration with all involved at the football stadium! Still have those pictures somewhere, along with the autographed Time magazine with the Heidens on the cover.
I consider Eric Heiden to be the greatest US Olympian, ever. Imagine someone who wins the 100 yard-dash, the 10,000 meters and the marathon....for all intents and purposes, that’s what Eric did in speedskating.
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