1. The United States of America
Connor Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor, and Blake Wheeler
The United States may have the most Winnipeg Jets on their roster compared to any other country at the tournament.
We could see three Jets, and even potentially a fourth, wearing the red, white, and blue come mid-February.
Since the start of the 2016-2017 regular season, no American goaltender has won more games in that time span than Connor Hellebuyck.
The former Vezina Trophy winner is set to lead the United States in goal and has performed outstanding when wearing his country’s colors. Hellebuyck has been called up for the USA three times for the World Championships, although he only appeared in games during two of those tournaments. During those tournaments, Hellebuyck has a record of 9-1-0 with a 1.59 goals against average and a .942 save percentage.
The second player to make the cut for the USA is Kyle Connor. Connor has been extremely consistent with the Jets the past four seasons and has scored 246 points in 285 games played. The twenty-four-year-old fits in extremely well with a group of fast American forwards.
Blake Wheeler may be the third Jet to make USA’s roster at the games. Wheeler may play a bottom-line role and provide the USA with depth and a needed veteran presence. Some hockey analysts predict that Wheeler will make the team while others say that he may be one of the ones to miss out on the games.
On the Bubble: Neal Pionk
Pionk may miss the cut due to a number of fantastic offensive defensemen that the USA coaching staff has to choose from. Therefore, Mike Sullivan and his coaching staff may look to complete their roster with two-way defensemen and/or defensive-defensemen rather than adding the offensive Pionk.
As we all know, injuries do happen and with a strong run of performances in the early part of the season, Pionk may work himself on to USA’s roster for the games.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: If NHL players are allowed to compete at the 2022 Olympics, which Winnipeg Jets players do you predict will represent their respective countries at the games? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by Elite Prospects*