By Stephen Whyno The Associated Press
MILAN (AP) — When organizers designed the 4 Nations Face-Off to be played in February 2025, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the intent was for it to serve as an appetizer for hockey at the Olympics.
What it turned out to be, beyond a smashing success that put the sport firmly in the limelight, was a blueprint for the U.S. and Canada to build their rosters. The tournament was the first in international play to feature the best in the world in nearly a decade. The lessons learned informed what USA Hockey and Hockey Canada did over the past year.
It worked, with the U.S. and Canada advancing to Sunday’s gold medal game, a rematch of the final of the 4 Nations. Canada won that in overtime and put the two teams on a crash course for a rematch. It’s not a two-team tournament and there was no guarantee they’d play, but now a lot of the big decisions on either side will be tested, once and for all.