The United States and Canada will play for Olympic gold on Sunday! After the thrilling final of the 4 Nations Face-Off last season, it feels fitting that these two countries are the last ones standing in the men’s hockey tournament. Eyes will be on Milan to see if the United States can win its first gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” or if Canada continues their dominance over Team USA.
For fans of the St. Louis Blues, this can be a tough game to choose who to support. There are current Blues players on Team Canada, but some St. Louis residents are on Team USA. Regardless of who you root for on Sunday, here’s a guide for all the players tied with St. Louis playing for the gold medal.
Jordan Binnington – Team Canada
It’s no secret that Jordan Binnington is the most important Blue in the Olympics. His success could increase his trade value. That alone is an important storyline. However, there is more to his story than that.
Related: 3 lessons from Canada’s 3-2 win over Finland
If Binnington leads Canada to the gold medal, he would become only the fourth goaltender to win a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal as a starter. His company would be Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy. Joining this elite company would cement Binnington’s place in NHL history. Will he one day be considered the greatest of all time? No. However, he would go on to be known as one of the most consistent great goaltenders in NHL history. Binnington’s place in Blues history is already established, but he has the opportunity to expand his legacy across the league and the hockey world.
Colton Parayko – Team Canada
Colton Parayko was part of a closing defensive pairing as the Blues won the Stanley Cup. His partner was Jay Bouwmeester, whom Parayko has credited as a mentor to him in the past.
Why does this matter? Well, Bouwmeester won a gold medal and a Stanley Cup in his career, as well as a World Championship. A gold medal for Parayko would show how much the 32-year-old has achieved in his career, even winning things that his mentor did. This will not be a historic moment like it was for Binnington, but it will be a great moment for Parayko to follow in Bouwmeester’s footsteps.
Matthew Tkachuk – Team USA
Matthew Tkachuk moved to St. Louis when he was three years old after his father, Keith, was traded to the Blues. Matthew was constantly surrounded by hockey growing up, whether it was attending the All-Star Game to watch his father play, or playing a young David Backes lives in the Tkachuk house. He also played minor hockey with a youth division in St. Louis. It goes without saying that Matthew’s journey to becoming a two-time Stanley Cup champion began in St. Louis.
An Olympic gold medal would be just the latest accolade of Matthew’s hockey career. How fitting would it be for him, after helping the Florida Panthers win their first Stanley Cup, to help Team USA win its first gold medal since 1980?
Brady Tkachuk – Team USA
Brady Tkachuk’s story is very similar to Matthew’s. The big difference, however, is that Brady hasn’t won the Stanley Cup yet. He won a gold medal alongside his brother at the 2018 U18 World Championship, but that is the only gold medal or championship he currently owns. For Brady, an Olympic gold medal would give him the opportunity to win with his brother on the big stage.
Additionally, Brady has played a huge role in Team USA’s success thus far, scoring three goals in five games.
Clayton Keller – Team USA
Clayton Keller was born in Chesterfield, Missouri, in 1998. He played youth hockey with Matthew Tkachuk in a hockey league in the St. Louis area.
Keller grew up playing hockey in St. Louis. During his NHL career, he loved playing in return for St. Louis. In 35 games against the Blues he scored 15 goals. Yet no Blues fan will deny his talent. Seeing the Chesterfield native win a gold medal alongside a childhood teammate would be a feel-good moment for fans of St. Louis hockey history.
Who should you advocate for in St. Louis?
Binnington and Parayko currently wear the Blue note and helped the franchise win its only Stanley Cup. Matthew, Brady and Keller have deep roots in St. Louis and represent the United States. Who should St. Louis fans root for?
There is no wrong answer. If you want to see one Blue note winning gold, that’s understandable. If you want to see the United States win gold alongside three St. Louis residents, that’s understandable.
Do you want my advice that you definitely didn’t ask for? Well, I’ll share a few anyway. Enjoy the game no matter who you choose. This is the first Olympic gold medal game featuring NHL players in more than 10 years. It’s the latest chapter in the hockey rivalry between the United States and Canada. Sunday will be fun in St. Louis, even if we have to get up at 7 a.m. to watch the game.
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