‘Never taking anything like that for granted’: Connor pumped for 4 Nations Face-Off

OTTAWA – Kyle Connor has been looking forward to this second act for nearly a calendar year.

After missing out on the high-stakes championship final of the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Winnipeg Jets sniper is determined to be a difference-maker for Team USA at the Olympics in Italy next month.

Named to the team on Friday morning as part of an announcement on the Today Show, Connor spoke to reporters prior to Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators about what it meant to get the call from general manager Bill Guerin.

“Yeah, it was cool. Never taking anything like that for granted,” said Connor. “And there’s nothing better than representing your country and playing for them and playing for something bigger than you.

“It’s going to be exciting. We got a taste of it from the 4 Nations. And, obviously having a lot more countries being involved in the Olympics, and the hype behind it, and not being there for a while, I think there’s gonna be a lot of buzz, a lot of media. And, players are equally as excited.”

The Jets, who have dropped nine consecutive games (0-6-3), are back in action Tuesday against the Las Vegas Golden Knights as they open a five-game homestand.

Connor will be joined on the U.S. team by teammate Connor Hellebuyck, who will share the crease with Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman.

“Really proud of those guys. Obviously, they both had the opportunity last year at 4 Nations,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “With KC, I hope they realize he’s a goal scorer they need. At the same time, they’ve both earned it. Their play over the last few years, (Hellebuyck) with what he did last year and KC what he’s again doing this year, it’s special. They’re both elite players in this game.”

While Hellebuyck held the starting job for Team USA and was rock solid between the pipes for the gold medal game against Canada, Connor was made a healthy scratch for the final, a decision that led to plenty of second-guessing considering the overtime defeat.

By his own admission, Connor didn’t get off to the start he’d hoped at the event and he was quickly dropped down the lineup after opening on the top line with Jack Eichel.

Limited to one assist in three games, Connor is eager for another chance to shine in best-on-best competition.

“It’s just completely different tournaments,” said Connor, who has 19 goals and 48 points in 40 games for the Jets this season. “So, it’s just like any other game, you kind of learn from it, from what you have done. And as a player, there are certain areas that you’re constantly working on in your game, whether it’s regular season or in the 4 Nations.

“I don’t think it necessarily changes the way that I play. There’s a style of play that I like to play, and dictate the pace. And, play with lots of speed. And I don’t think that really changes.”

Arniel was impressed by how Connor took being scratched in stride and didn’t let it affect his game when he returned to the Jets.

“He handled it about as professionally as he probably could,” said Arniel. “He still wanted to make sure he was on the team this year, too, so you don’t want to go out there throwing some things out there that maybe come back to haunt you.

“He knows what he can do. I think if you put him in that position, you put him in those situations, 99 percent of the time he’s going to come out and do the right things. I think for him it’s a little inspiration too, to go out in the Olympics here and be the best player he can be.”

Having the opportunity to be part of the first Olympic men’s competition involving NHL players since 2014 is something Connor relishes.

“It was definitely a big focal point for the players in the last CBA to go back to the Olympics, and we know how big of a stage that is, and what it does for the game,” said Connor. “We want to get that chance to play against the best. A lot of these USA Hockey teammates, or Canadian teammates, you play with these guys growing up, and you go your separate ways a lot of times in the NHL.

“They bring that group back together and build a bond that’s special. And not just this Olympics, but now, we’ve got a roadmap for years to come. This is kind of just a taste of what’s going to come in the next 10 years.”

Like many of his Jets’ teammates, Connor remembers tuning in for the 2010 Olympics, where Zach Parise scored a late goal to send the game to overtime but Sidney Crosby ultimately delivered the Golden Goal.

“Obviously, I watched the 2010 Olympics there,” said Connor. “And just overall, I’m just a fan of not just hockey, but the Olympics. And in general, all these athletes work so hard to be at the peak. And whatever sport it is, I’ve always found myself drawn to the TV when it comes around.”

Connor will be part of a talented forward group that includes Eichel, Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, Dylan Larkin and Brock Nelson, all of whom could serve as his centre.

Team USA should also benefit from having Quinn Hughes in the lineup after he was forced to sit out the 4 Nations Face-Off with an injury.

Goaltending also figures to be a strength, with Hellebuyck hoping to lead his team to a gold medal.

“It’s kind of a mixture of everything,” said Connor. “We’ve got a lot of pace, we’ve got big bodies, and we’ve got players that can handle different roles, it seems. And, I just think we created that special bond at 4 Nations, even though we didn’t win. It’s some of the most fun hockey that everybody was a part of. And hopefully, we’re building on that. Four Nations was a year ago, but it also feels like it was yesterday.

“Everybody was pretty close knit and we built that bond. Overall, the team is just going to play with a lot of pace. You see on the back end too. A lot of the guys can skate and get up the ice, and so it’s kind of not one area.”

Connor also voiced support to longtime linemate Mark Scheifele, who wasn’t named to Canada’s 25-player roster.

“Well, we’re a family for a reason, and we’re obviously here to support him,” said Connor. “We think he’s one of the best players in the league — and it’s pretty crazy he didn’t get the call. Personally, I play with him every single night. I think he’s a Top 5 centre in this league. And he’s up there, Top 10 in points. So it’s unfortunate, but it doesn’t change any way that he plays. From what I saw, it almost motivates him.

“At the same time, you deal with anything like you do in life, you support each other and obviously, everybody’s happy for Josh (Morrissey), Connor (Hellebuyck) and me, and you just kind of go about your business and keep going.”

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