Glen Gulutzan has plenty of teams to root for as the Winter Olympic hockey tournament heads into its semifinal round.
The last four teams in the tournament are Canada, Finland, Slovakia and the United States. Stars defenseman Thomas Harley is representing Team Canada, while Finland features Stars standouts like Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Roope Hintz and Mikko Rantanen. Meanwhile, goalie Jake Oettinger is representing Team USA.
Gulutzan told Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM) that he plans to remain neutral for the semifinal showdowns. Several Stars players watched Wednesday’s Canada-Czechia game in the locker room after finishing practice in Frisco.
“It is going to be interesting for me now because I am a Canadian, but we have four guys on that [Finland] team. I think I’m pretty neutral for that game,” Gulutzan told The Ticket. “I’d like to see a good hockey game. No injuries is the biggest thing I’m praying for. I’m not celebrating a gold medal, no matter who gets it.
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“I just hope our guys get back here healthy.”
Gulutzan added that he thought hockey was one of the major highlights of the Winter Olympics. He said the international competition is good for the growth of the game moving forward.
“I think it’s a big deal. It is great for the growth of the game. It’s just so much exposure, and I think everyone benefits from that,” Gulutzan said. “I know, probably, the 32 [NHL] owners don’t like it, but I think long-term, it’s so healthy for the growth of the game that everyone benefits.”
Listen to the rest of Gulutzan’s radio appearance here.
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