LAS VEGAS – The NHL’s Four Nations Challenge will offer players from the NHL to do something they haven’t done in a while: represent their country in a best-on-best tournament.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin wants to play on the team but understands that the decision is out of his control.
“Anytime you get to wear your country’s sweater, it’s an honor for anybody,” Hanifin said. “For me right now, it’s just controlling my game here. I want to help our team here win games. If I get called to play for the country, I’d obviously be honored.”
Hanifin hasn’t had discussions with Team USA brass regarding possible selection, but the United States top four spots are already taken by more established stars. He is in the conversation for one of the remaining spots on the blue line, according to ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie’s projection for the Team USA roster.
Hanifin’s recent play is giving Team USA management a reason to make the roster. After tallying only three assists through the first 11 games, Hanifin has come to life offensively. He’s scored five points (five goals, two assists) in the last three games.
It starts with his skating. One of Hanifin’s strongest assets is his skating ability and when that is in rhythm on both the offensive and defensive side, things start to “click.”
“It’s always just comes back to skating,” Hanifin said. “When I’m moving my feet and skating offensively and defensively, my game starts to click and connect a bit. That’s been the difference. Early on this season, I was thinking a little bit too much trying to get those details back into my game and being a little bit too hesitant. Recently I’ve just been trying to just go and let my skating take care of things and just keep building my game in that regard.”
