Fifteen years after netting the “Golden Goal” that secured an Olympic gold medal for Canada on home ice in Vancouver, and eleven years since he led his country to another victory in Sochi, Sidney Crosby is stepping back into a familiar role for an upcoming international event.
Crosby will take on the position of captain once again at the 4 Nations Face-Off set to take place next month in Montreal and Boston, mirroring his leadership in both the 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. This time around, Auston Matthews is leading the U.S. team as captain for the first time, having recently accepted that role with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier in the year.
Matthews has no plans to change his approach to leadership, while Crosby, who has been the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins since he was just 20, recognizes that short international tournaments present a unique challenge. “There’s always a learning curve,” Crosby remarked during a video conference with reporters. “With a new group and a situation like this, the learning curve is rapid, so it’s crucial to absorb as much information as possible. However, everyone is selected for a reason, based on what they can contribute, so it’s important to showcase that and perform at your best right from the start.”
Due to the annual scheduling of the world championships in the spring amidst the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs and the league’s absence from the last two Olympics, the 4 Nations Face-Off marks the first international tournament featuring the world’s elite players since 2016. Notably, the previous World Cup was somewhat diluted by the inclusion of a Team North America that featured star players like Matthews, Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon, preventing their participation with their national teams.
This international competition will see Crosby, McDavid, and MacKinnon united on the same roster for the first time, an exciting development for Crosby. “With the group we have, there hasn’t been much opportunity for us to come together before,” Crosby stated. “I’m eager to get everyone in the same place to practice and develop our teamwork.”
Practices are set to begin on February 10, followed swiftly by games. With no training camp to reinvent strategies, Matthews plans to maintain the effective leadership style that has already worked for him in Toronto. “I don’t feel the need to change my approach into something I’m not,” Matthews noted. “That’s just not my thing. I intend to approach this the same way I do with the Maple Leafs: being myself, supporting my teammates, and striving to perform at my peak.”
Crosby has already achieved immense success in his career, having won the Stanley Cup three times and Olympic gold twice. He aspires to achieve a trifecta in both categories next year in Milan, while his immediate focus is on the upcoming tournament. The timing of this break in the season is particularly advantageous for him and the Penguins, who currently sit at the bottom of the standings, with a potential roster overhaul looming ahead of the March 7 trade deadline.
“Regardless of whether we’re on a winning streak or struggling to find victories, this opportunity to compete is something we haven’t had in a while, so there’s a sense of excitement for that,” Crosby shared. “Personally, I’m looking forward to it, especially as we’ve been fighting hard. That’s part of the scenario, but hopefully, that urgency and desperation will aid in getting me ready for the 4 Nations.”
Team USA hasn’t clinched a “best-on-best” tournament victory since the 1996 World Cup of Hockey— a time before Matthews was born and long before his journey into hockey began in Arizona. Although the burden of expectation rests on his shoulders as captain, Matthews is focused on positioning his team for success. “Building chemistry and unity as a team is key,” Matthews said. “This won’t be easy, as each team has exceptional players, and the competition will be fierce. Everyone is honored to represent their country, and we’re all eager for the challenge and opportunity ahead.”
