On Sunday, the United States and Canada will play for Olympic gold! After the thrilling finale to the 4 Nations Face-Off last season, it feels appropriate that these two countries are the last ones standing in the men’s hockey tournament. Eyes will be on Milan to see if the United States can win its first gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980 or if Canada continues their dominance over Team USA.
For fans of the St. Louis Blues, this may be a hard game to choose who to root for. There are current Blues players on Team Canada, but some St. Louis natives are on Team USA. Regardless of who you choose to root for on Sunday, here is a guide to all players with St. Louis ties playing for the gold medal.
Jordan Binnington – Team Canada
It is no secret Jordan Binnington is the most important Blue in the Olympics. His success can increase his trade value. That alone is a major storyline. However, there is more to his story than that.
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If Binnington leads Canada to the gold medal, he would become just the fourth goaltender to win a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal as a starter. His company would be Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hasek, and Patrick Roy. Joining this elite company would cement Binnington’s place in NHL history. Will he ever be considered anywhere close to the greatest of all time? No. However, he would be known as one of the most consistent big-game goaltenders in NHL history. Binnington’s place in Blues’ history is already established, but he has an opportunity to expand his legacy across the league and the hockey world.
Colton Parayko – Team Canada
Colton Parayko was part of a shutdown defensive pair when the Blues won the Stanley Cup. His partner was Jay Bouwmeester, whom Parayko has credited as a mentor to him in the past.
Why does this matter? Well, Bouwmeester won a gold medal and a Stanley Cup in his career, as well as a World Championship. A gold medal for Parayko would show how much the 32-year-old has accomplished in his career, even winning things his mentor did. This will not be a history-making moment like it may be for Binnington, but it will be a nice moment for Parayko to follow in Bouwmeester’s footsteps.
Matthew Tkachuk – Team USA
Matthew Tkachuk moved to St. Louis when he was three years old after his dad, Keith, was traded to the Blues. Matthew was constantly surrounded by hockey growing up, whether it was attending the All-Star Game to watch his dad play, or having a young David Backes living in the Tkachuk house. He also played minor hockey with a youth affiliate in St. Louis. It goes without saying that Matthew’s journey to becoming a two-time Stanley Cup champion began in St. Louis.
An Olympic gold medal would be just the latest accolade in Matthew’s hockey career. After helping the Florida Panthers win their first Stanley Cup, how appropriate would it be for him to help Team USA win its first gold medal since 1980?
Brady Tkachuk – Team USA
Brady Tkachuk’s story is very similar to Matthew’s. The big difference, however, is that Brady has not yet won the Stanley Cup. He did win a gold medal alongside his brother at the 2018 U18 World Championship, but that is the only gold medal or championship he currently holds. For Brady, an Olympic gold medal would give him the opportunity to join his brother in winning on the big stage.
Furthermore, Brady has played a big role in Team USA’s success so far, scoring three goals in five games.
Clayton Keller – Team USA
Clayton Keller was born in Chesterfield, Missouri, in 1998. He played alongside Matthew Tkachuk in youth hockey in a St. Louis-area hockey league.
Keller grew up loving to play hockey in St. Louis. In his NHL career, he has loved playing against St. Louis. In 35 games against the Blues, he has scored 15 goals. Still, no Blues fan will deny his talent. Seeing the Chesterfield native win a gold medal alongside a childhood teammate would be a “feel-good” moment for fans of St. Louis’s hockey history.
Who to Root For in St. Louis?
Binnington and Parayko currently wear the Blue Note and helped the franchise win its only Stanley Cup. Matthew, Brady, and Keller have deep St. Louis roots and represent the United States. Who should St. Louis fans root for?
There is no wrong answer. If you want to see a Blue Note win gold, that is understandable. If you want to see the United States win gold alongside three St. Louis natives, that is also understandable.
Do you want my advice that you definitely did not ask for? Well, I will share some anyway. Enjoy the game regardless of who you root for. This is the first Olympic gold medal game with NHL players in over 10 years. It is the latest chapter in the United States-Canada hockey rivalry. Sunday will be fun in St. Louis, even if we do need to be up at 7 a.m. to watch the game.
