Josh Morrissey: Olympic Fever and Team Canada’s Pursuit of Gold
Milan – Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey is experiencing a whirlwind of emotions as he competes in the Olympics with Team Canada. Since arriving in Milan last Sunday, he’s been captivated by the Olympic spirit and the incredible skill surrounding him.
“It’s inspiring. It inspires you to want to get a medal,” Morrissey shared with the Winnipeg Free Press on Wednesday. He was particularly moved by Canada’s silver-medal performance in short-track mixed relay speedskating, an event he’d never witnessed live before. “It was just incredible to see the athletes on the biggest stage compete and perform, and the medal ceremony was pretty inspiring.”
A Sense of Belonging
Morrissey emphasized the powerful feeling of being part of something larger than himself. “When you come over here to the Olympics and you get to experience being part of the broader Team Canada and broader Olympic games and sports, to be able to go there and support the other athletes, the other Canadians, is really cool,” he said. He even joked with fellow defenceman Cale Makar about trying speedskating at Calgary’s Olympic Oval next summer, acknowledging the difficulty of switching from hockey skates.
Focus on the Game
Despite the excitement, Morrissey remains focused on his own performance. Team Canada opens tournament play Thursday afternoon in Milan (9:40 a.m. CT) against Czechia. Morrissey described Canada’s strategy as “connected and fast,” emphasizing the importance of teamwork and aggressive defense. He noted a noticeable increase in tempo during Wednesday’s practice, a sign of the team’s readiness.
Pairing with Parayko
Morrissey is expected to play on a pairing with St. Louis Blues defenceman Colton Parayko, a familiar partner from last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. “It’s great. I think obviously as partners, the more time you can play with anybody it helps,” said Morrissey. “It seems like we kind of had an instant connection last year. I think we suit each other’s games really well.” He’s eager to avoid a repeat of last year, when illness sidelined him for the gold-medal game.
Upcoming Schedule
Canada’s schedule includes a game against Jets teammate Nino Niederreiter and Switzerland on Friday (2:10 p.m. CT), and a final pool play game against France on Sunday (9:40 a.m. CT). The quarterfinals begin on Feb. 18.
Morrissey is looking forward to having approximately 20 family members and friends in the stands cheering him on. He’s also enjoying reconnecting with Jets teammates Niederreiter, Connor Hellebuyck, and Kyle Connor, who are representing the United States.
With the return of NHL players to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, Morrissey is embracing the excitement and anticipation. He’s determined to make the most of this opportunity and contribute to Team Canada’s pursuit of Olympic gold.
Read more about Josh Morrissey and Team Canada at Winnipeg Free Press.
