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U.S. team looking forward, not back
By Jody Genessy
Deseret News Olympic specialist
Feel free to ask U.S. hockey players and coaches about competing on the big ice, or playing without a red line, or Canada — even about Canada's now-famous figure skating couple, or about Belarus, or miracles and 1980, or Olympic spirit or, well, about almost anything.
Just stop asking them about Nagano. That was then. This is now. Get over it, please.
"It happened. It's over. It's done," said U.S. coach Herb Brooks on Monday. "I don't think any of us are looking in the rearview mirror, other than to learn from some of those things."
That sums up the message players and coaches — who play Finland in the round-robin tournament opener tonight at 8:45 at the E Center — have given at Olympic news conferences this week.
"I think you were the one millionth questioner. It's been asked so many times," said U.S. forward Bill Guerin of the Boston Bruins on Thursday.
"Nagano was four years ago," Guerin said. "We've put that behind us. We've put it to bed. What we're concentrating on is now. . . . We're better than what happened last time. We have our sights set on the gold medal."
U.S. assistant coach Lou Vairo wasn't in Japan and doesn't know who did what and exact details, nor does he care to learn more. All he claims to know is what's been published: After their earlier-than-expected quarterfinal loss, some U.S. players damaged their hotel, then captain Chris Chelios apologized and gave Olympic organizers a hefty repair check.
Vairo came to his players' defense several times during Thursday's interview session.
"These are good guys," he said. "I bet a couple of you guys (media) have busted a couple of chairs when your wife showed up with the credit card bill at the end of the week."
A colorful character who tells it like he sees it, Vairo pleaded with the media to "drop it."
"Let's get on with these Games," he said. "They are going to be fantastic. That building (the E Center) is going to pulsate with life. America is going to stop and watch hockey. Let's celebrate the greatness of this."
Many are saying this could be the best hockey tournament ever. Canada general manager Wayne Gretzky calls it "something special, spectacular."
The parade of hockey stars who flew into Salt Lake City Wednesday and Thursday — after the NHL ceased operations for only the second time ever — seems to support that claim. Huge names like Mario Lemieux, Paul Kariya, Brett Hull, Mike Modano and Dominik Hasek will grace the ice at the E Center and The Peaks Ice Arena over the next week. Nearly all of the top six squads — Dream Teams from the U.S., Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden and Russia — are comprised of NHL stars.
"I think this is a terrific showcase for the National Hockey League," said Boston Bruins' Brian Rolston of the United States.
"It's a great opportunity for us," Guerin added. "We're proud to be here."
And, by the way, he is not ashamed of the Americans' performance in Nagano. The U.S. went 1-3, losing to eventual gold-medal winning Czech Republic 4-1 in the quarterfinals.
"In Nagano," Guerin said, "I was not disappointed in the effort, but in the results."
A good showing in Salt Lake — not to mention good behavior — could work wonders in helping everyone forget all about Nagano. This is definitely a prime time for the U.S. to get a P.R. makeover.
"If we play smart, and hard, and do it with class," Brooks said, "we'll be able to sleep at night."
And the furniture at Olympic Village can rest soundly, too.
E-MAIL: jody@desnews.com
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February 15, 2002
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