GANGNEUNG, South Korea, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- His grandfather is from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Xinhua News Agency reporter Wei Hua.
The U.S. team is one of the most talked-about teams at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon-do, not only because they are the favourites, but also because they have a well-known surname in the ice hockey world, Trotier.
There is no shortage of "big names" at this Winter Olympics, such as luge rider Hazel Reid, whose father competed in five Winter Olympics. Another example is the protagonist of this article, Parker Trotier.
On the left shoulder of Parker's jersey, a big "C+" is embroidered, which means that he is the captain of this team, but even with the heavy responsibility, I am afraid that not many people know this 15-year-old teenager. But if you mention his grandfather, it's definitely the temple figure in ice hockey - Brian Trotier.
Brian's career is legendary, as he won seven championship-winning Stanley Cups as a player and coach in the National Hockey League, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame after retiring. The New York Islanders, who he played for many years, also retired his No. 19 jersey.
With such a senior in the family, the young Parker also naturally embarked on the road of ice hockey. At least on his current trajectory, he lives up to his name: last year, Parker was a stellar performer for St. Mary's U14s in Shattuck, scoring 45 goals and registering 46 assists in 59 games, and his performances earned him a selection in Team USA's squad for the Winter Youth Olympic Games. After being promoted to the Under-16 team, Parker can still hand in 11 goals and 11 assists in 22 games, even in the face of a more competitive environment.
In the mixed mining area, the reporter met the burly Parker. Just minutes earlier, the U.S. had been beaten by the Czechs on penalties with a two-goal advantage, and Parker's mood was decidedly not high as the Czechs walked past him elatedly.
You narrowly won the last game through a penalty shootout, but this game was not so lucky, and the team did not do a good job? The reporter asked.
There's nothing special, it's ice hockey, and even if we have a two-goal advantage, we can't guarantee a win. Parker said.
With such a grandfather, are you stressed? Faced with a question that he had probably answered many times, Parker replied without hesitation: "No, it's more of a motivation." Ever since I was a child, my grandfather taught me to play ice hockey, and I never felt that it was a pressure, but it inspired me to keep going. ”
The U.S. ice hockey team won the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, but missed out on gold in the 2020 final. Despite the optimism about the U.S. comeback, Parker is low-key: "We're going to go down one step at a time, because there are a lot of strong teams here. ”
It seems that Parker understands very well that maybe his grandfather's aura can help him light the way under his feet, but there is no shortcut to the championship. (ENDS).