Ask any NHL player what they've dreamed of achieving their entire life and professional career, and most will say it's winning a Stanley Cup.
The Cup is the epitome of perfection in professional hockey, and only a select few have the chance to hold it. However, Boston Bruins left wingers P.J. Axelsson and Marco Sturm will do something that even fewer NHL players have the opportunity to do: represent their country on the world's stage at the Olympics.
As the games kickoff this weekend in Torino, many NHL players will be taking a brief hiatus from their respective teams. While most players will be following the Olympics on a sandy beach, a select few will battle it out on the ice against the world's best.
The veteran Axelsson, who was unavailable to speak to The Daily, will suit up to represent Sweden, and Sturm, a recent Boston acquisition, will play for his native Germany. Both players will be making their second trip to the Olympics, having competed in the 2002 Winter Games, but neither has won a medal.
Sturm came close in the quarterfinals with Germany in the 2002 Games and is looking forward to a second shot at a medal this time around.
"I'm very excited and it's always fun, especially for me to see all my friends and [fellow] Germans," Sturm said. "I know everyone; there are a lot of young guys on the team, and it's exciting to see them because I don't see them often."
With roughly a third of NHL players hailing from foreign countries, the Olympics provide many of these international players with the honor of representing their country and playing alongside their friends and countrymen.
When asked to make a prediction about Germany's chances at taking the gold this year, Sturm merely chuckled, but he did forecast a possible upset and a made few early predictions.
"We just try to make some damage, maybe upset some teams if we can and stay in it," Sturm said jokingly. "Its tough to say, but Canada is always up there, and the Czechs and Swedes are pretty good teams."
As the defending gold medalists, Canada is an early favorite to win it all again this year. Along with Russia, Canada has a long tradition of success at the Games. Of all the countries, Canada and Russia have won the most gold medals, combining for 15. But a few Bruins players aren't counting out the U.S. just yet.
"There's a lot of good teams this year," Bruins defenseman Hal Gill said. "I think Canada is always a favorite, and I think the U.S. is going to have to play really good to have a chance. [The U.S.] has good skill and talent on paper, but that doesn't always mean you're going to win."
The U.S. won the silver medal in 2002, losing to Canada in the gold medal game by a score of 5-2.
Although Sturm is looking forward to the chance at winning a medal on the world's stage, he says that nothing can replace a Stanley Cup victory.
"There's no question about it; I want to win the Stanley Cup," Sturm said. "It's nice to have gold, but all the guys in [the Bruins' locker room] want a Stanley Cup."
Those players who aren't making the trip to Torino this year agree - the gold medal would be a great honor, but the Cup is still the ultimate achievement.
"I'd take either one; a gold medal is something special, but we're working all year for a Stanley Cup," Bruins defenseman Brian Tanabe said. "When you're battling with the same group of guys for all the games and the playoffs, it's a nice thing to get. But not everyone has a gold medal - they're both tremendous achievements."
