These thoughts came shortly after the USA Olympic Men’s Hockey Orientation Camp wrapped up on Thursday at the World Arena. 

Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Suter, winner of USA Hockey’s 2003 Bob Johnson Award, and New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro, the first ever goaltender picked number one in the NHL entry draft, both 2006 Olympic hopefuls, explained that they have gold medal ties close to home.

Suter’s biggest hockey influences as a kid were his dad (Bob Suter), his Uncle Gary Suter, and Chris Chelios. “I kind of grew up around those guys,” he said. “They all had a big impact on me.”

Suter’s father Bob played on the 1980 USA hockey team that shocked the world by defeating the Soviet Union and winning gold in Lake Placid. Although the ‘Miracle on Ice’ occurred before the 20-year-old was born, the team’s legacy played an important role in his life as a young athlete.

“When I was younger, I would always take my dad’s medal and Olympic ring to school for show and tell,” Suter said.

But now, Ryan Suter wants a gold medal that he can call his own.
 
DiPietro also shares close ties with a member of the 1980 Olympic team. 

“I live in the same town as Mike Eruzione,” DiPietro said.

“Every time you walk down the street you pretty much hear about his success in the 1980 Olympics. He’s a guy my mom went to school with and a friend of the family.”

Eruzione served as a major inspiration to DiPietro. “Watching the movie Miracle, watching the 1980 Olympic tapes, and hearing the stories; that has to be the greatest feeling of all time,” DiPietro said. “That’s something that we are always striving for, and hopefully we will be successful.”

Suter, DiPietro and 37 other 2006 Torino hopefuls – a mix of young newcomers and seasoned veterans – are all striving to make the team and bring home some hardware in February.

Suter used his time at the orientation camp to learn from several veteran players who are vying for spots on the team.

“I just wanted to fit in and be one of the guys. I’m trying to keep up with them and trying to establish myself among them,” Suter said. “It was a difficult task, but I had a lot of fun with it. I think I got a good feel for what to expect.”

Suter has competed for Team USA in three IIHF World Junior Championships, bringing home gold in 2004, and serving as team captain in 2005.

 He has confidence that his young age won’t hinder his chances of making the team. 

“I hope they just pick the best 20 guys, because otherwise it won’t mean as much to the guys who do make the team,” Suter said. “I just want to be given a fair chance like everyone else.”

Now, following the camp, both Suter and DiPietro will use the first part of the NHL season to prove that each has what it takes to be a part of team USA’s quest for gold in Torino.