NHL Returns with Olympic Buzz
NHL returned with buzz around standings shake-ups and Olympic returns, while Olympic hero Connor Hellebuyck is set to be awarded the Medal of Freedom. The recognition highlights both his ice prowess and impact as a role model for the sport.
- This was the first time NHL players participated in the Winter Olympics since 2014, with nearly 150 players from all 32 league teams competing in Milan. - In the gold medal game, a 2-1 overtime victory against Canada, Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves on 42 shots to secure Team USA's first men's hockey gold in 46 years. - Hellebuyck was named the tournament's Best Goaltender, finishing with a perfect 5-0 record, a 1.23 goals-against average, and a .947 save percentage. - The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States' highest civilian honor; past athlete recipients include Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Simone Biles, and Muhammad Ali. - Off the ice, Hellebuyck has supported youth mental health initiatives, donating $25,000 to the Project 11 program along with teammates after a charity video game tournament. - While Team USA won gold, Canadian captain Connor McDavid was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after setting a new Olympic scoring record for an NHL player with 13 points. - As the NHL season resumes, the Colorado Avalanche sit atop the league standings with 83 points, while an intense playoff battle is shaping up in the Eastern Conference, where just six points separate the fourth and ninth seeds.
