Defenseman Jonathon Blum (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) is making his Olympic debut after previously representing Team USA at the 2017 Deutschland Cup, where he recorded an assist in two games. Blum also represented the U.S. National Junior Team twice in the IIHF World Junior Championships (2008, 2009), including captaining the team once (2009) and the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in 2006. Blum has played for two KHL teams this season, Admiral Vladivostok and HK Sochi, for a combined 21 points in 51 games this season. Prior to the KHL, Blum played 110 NHL games, 335 AHL games, and 248 in the Western Hockey League, where he was honored with the Bill Hunter Trophy in 2009 for the league’s top defenseman.
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American hockey player you enjoyed watching:
Chris Chelios
Three things you love about hockey:
The competitiveness, excitement and friendships
One youth hockey coach you would like to thank:
Jack Bowkus, California Wave
Favorite food:
Mexican
Other sports played as a kid:
Surfing
Defenseman Matt Gilroy (North Bellemore, N.Y.) is making his Olympic debut after previously representing Team USA at the 2017 Deutschland Cup, where he skated in two games. Gilroy also represented the U.S. at the second-place winning 2015 Deutschland Cup and the 2010 Men’s World Championship. Currently playing for Jokerit of the KHL, Gilroy has recorded 27 points in 54 games this season. Prior to the KHL, Gilroy played 225 NHL games, 81 AHL games and four years at Boston University, where he captained the team his senior year and was honored with the Hobey Baker Award for NCAA Top Collegiate Player in 2009.
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Best memory of own playing career:
My first college game
Best advice you’ve been given:
Never give up, do your best and have fun
Biggest obstacle you have had to overcome:
Being a college walk-on
Favorite TV show:
Friday Night Lights
Someone you would like to meet:
Elon Musk
Defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti (Wilmington, N.C.) is making his Olympic debut after previously representing Team USA at the 2017 Deutschland Cup, where he played in two games and recorded a goal. Sanguinetti also represented the U.S. at the 2008 World Junior Championship, where he notched a goal and two assists. Currently playing for HC Lugano of the NLA, Sanguinetti has registered 25 points in 43 games this season. Prior to the NLA, Sanguinetti played 45 NHL games, 263 OHL games and 378 AHL games, where he recorded the AHL most playoff points by a defenseman in 2015
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One youth hockey coach you would like to thank:
Danny O’Brien, New Jersey Rockets
Three things you love about hockey:
The competition, discipline and teammates
Best memory from own playing career:
First NHL goal
Biggest obstacle you have had to overcome:
Being born with paralysis in my right arm
Favorite movie:
Shawshank Redemption