RayMartyniukTotems
Registered User
- Jul 8, 2022
- 5,667
- 2,247
Mike Keenan has been trying to build his team for the Olympics in the Host Nation in Italia for a couple of years now! There have been many games watched and evaluated. And many more will come I'm sure!Developing players(youngsters) is all well and good and seems the Italians are making head way in that area. Recently at the 4 Nations Tournament they beat Slovenia(home of Anze Kopitar)5-0 at the U16 on 09 November,2023! But the question begs to be asked should Keenan and Associate coach Mike Foligno(Father of Nick and Marcus) try to entice Italian Canadians to play for the "Homeland"...a Terra? If it was me I think there would be many NHLers with Italian background who would and should play for Team Italia in Milano and Cortina-d'ampezzo in Febbraio(February) 2026! The list of players that could play would be many...Jason Spezza maybe,Sean Durzi for sure,e figli a Foligno, Gabriel Vilardi, Tyler Toffoli, Andrew(Andrea)Mangiapane, Matt Coronato(Americano), Alex(Alessandro)Pie-tran-gelo(Paetran gelo)Pietrangelo,Victor Mete,and maybe Michele(Michael)Del Zotto and Mike Cammalleri could be coaxed out of retirement! The Italiani have an up and coming huge 6-6(197cm) Goaltender Damiano Clara to build for the Future! He was a 2nd Round choice 60th overall (by the Anaheim Ducks) in the 2023 NHL draft of Amateurs/Entry throughout the World...Thomas Larkin could play RightDefense also...Larkin has represented Italia many times and he'll just be 35 at the Olympics in 2026! I think and there might be others Playing in Italia and Switzerland who may owe their Allegiance and provide much more needed excitement to the Nation, to take notice of this Glorious Game of l'hockey played on Ghiaccio(Ice)con la Sticcha (Stick) and the Wind in ones Hair as they take flight(Volare) down the Ice to score,score,score and pass,pass,pass and skate,skate,skate...