On Tuesday, Feb. 11th, several NHL players participating in the 4 Nations Face-off met with the media following the conclusion of practices.
Included in the list of players available to the media were New York Rangers Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers have six members participating in 4 Nations play, with four players representing the red, white and blue. Kreider is one of these four Blueshirts on the Team USA roster, while Zibanejad is the lone blueshirt with Sweden.
Here's what the two said when discussing the upcoming best-on-best tournament and their latest developments.
Significant 1/11/25 Quotes from Kreider
Getting to play once again under John Tortorella is a positive, said Kreider.
"13 years ago now. He always treated me really well. I had a really positive experience with him as my first pro coach and I took a lot away from that," Kreider said. "It's good to see him again"
Kreider was also asked about what its going to be like when he faces off against friend and Rangers' teammate Zibanejad when the USA takes on Sweden.
"I think he knows all of my tricks and unfortunately his bag of tricks is a lot deeper than mine," Kreider said. '[I'm] not sure how often I'll be on the ice against him, he's on a whole other level."
On a more somber note, Team USA is saving a stall for the since-passed Gaudreau brothers. Team USA is looking to honor Johnny Gaudreau, Kreider said.
"He's here in spirit. The biggest thing I took away from playing with and getting to know Johnny is how much fun he had playing the game of hockey," Kreider said. The greatest way to honor him, outside of winning, is to enjoy every second"
Significant 1/11/25 Quotes from Zibanejad
"It's different. A break from the Rangers — I think we've been better since New Year's, same goes for me personally," Zibanejad said. "Any time you get to play for your country is going to be exciting"
Zibanejad is a native of Stockholm, Sweden. He said representing your home nation allows him to be more of himself on the ice.
"I've said this before, I don't think my personality comes out as clear in English as in Swedish," Zibanejad said. "I think you kind of get to be yourself a little bit more in Swedish. I think you can tell by my face how happy I am to be here."
Zibanejad also went on to say how much joy being a member of Team Sweden has brought him.
"I feel like a kid again, honestly. Speaking Swedish to my teammates, having meetings in Swedish, it brings you back. I've been away 14 years from Swedish hockey," said Zibanejad.
4 Nations Face-Off Schedule
All games will be played at either the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada or at Boston's TD Garden.
At Bell Centre, Montreal
Wednesday, Feb. 12
Canada vs. Sweden, 8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS
Thursday, Feb. 13
United States vs. Finland, 8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS
Saturday, Feb. 15
Finland vs. Sweden, 1 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS
United States vs. Canada, 8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS
At TD Garden, Boston
Monday, Feb. 17
Canada vs. Finland, 1 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS
Sweden vs. United States, 8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS
Thursday, Feb. 20
Championship game, 8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS