During the Winter Classic between the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers, USA Hockey announced the roster for the Men’s Olympic Hockey team despite no NHL players allowed to participate in the games.
While no NHL players that are on standard player contracts playing in the AHL are allowed to partake either, players on AHL-only contracts playing in the league are allowed to go.
For players like Milwaukee Admirals forward Bobby Butler, who plays on the Nashville Predators AHL affiliate despite not being property of the club, it opened up an opportunity of a lifetime to represent his country on an international stage.
The 30-year-old's solid season with the Admirals caught the eye of U.S.A. Hockey, as the Marlborough, MA product leads the AHL club with 13 goals and 12 assists in 32 games. Butler was one of the 14 forwards selected to the U.S. roster.
With the Pyeongchang just over a month away, Butler informed his pops that he’d wearing the red, white and blue when he showed at Admirals practice.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
Now that’s heartwarming. We all know the role parents play in helping their kids graduate through the hockey ranks in hopes of one day turning their careers into something special.
Based off the hug Bobby and his dad shared, you know their bond over hockey is a special one. This is why we love sports today.
(h/t Milwaukee Admirals)
