Who Sang I Can Feel It Coming Back Again

Team Canada forward Josh Ho-Sang lacks the typhoon pedigree of Owen Power (outset overall) or Mason McTavish (3rd overall). He's appeared in simply 53 NHL games compared to helm Eric Staal (1,293) and David Desharnais (524).

But there'southward no denying Ho-Sang is an NHL-calibre talent. On good nights, the puck appears glued to his stick every bit he dances up the ice and embarrasses defenders who try to interruption up the play.

He has speed. He's a slick passer. He's a regular on the highlight reels. And he's arguably the Canadian men's hockey player with the most to gain from a stellar showing at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.

Ho-Sang is the X factor — the variable that could have the greatest impact on Canada'south medal chances in the non-NHL men's Olympic hockey tournament.

The 26-yr-onetime Toronto product is expected to play on the first line with McTavish and Staal Th when Canada opens the preliminary-round against Deutschland.

"I'm trying everything in my power to stay present and really embrace every unmarried day with this group and this staff," said Ho-Sang, who has 11 goals and xx points this flavour with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. "Considering this is a moment that is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"And information technology's fleeting. It goes by equally quickly every bit information technology comes, and I don't want to glimmer."

The Olympic opportunity, for Ho-Sang, will likely include a spot on the No. one power-play unit for a Canadian side that struggled to score at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

"He's a guy that patently has an incredible corporeality of skill and somebody that can go effectually the ice," Squad Canada general manager Shane Doan said. "When you watch him move and you watch him handle the puck and do the things he can do, in that location's not a lot of people in the world that can do that."

Ho-Sang last played for Hockey Canada with Team Ontario at the 2013 World Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.  Among allegations of selfish play and questionable work ethic, he later chosen it "insulting" that he didn't receive an invitation to evolution camps for the world nether-18 tournament and world juniors.

His brazen self-confidence — and lack of a personal mute push — undoubtedly played a part in so many teams taking a pass at the 2014 NHL entry draft. The New York Islanders finally selected Ho-Sang, an under-16 Triple-A teammate of Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, 28th overall.

From there, Ho-Sang's reputation followed him to the NHL where he bounced between the Islanders and the minor leagues before playing nine games in 2020-21 for two teams in Sweden.

Video: Captain Eric Staal recaps Canada's five-ane men's hockey win over Germany (cbc.ca)

Captain Eric Staal recaps Canada's 5-one men'south hockey win over Germany

Terminal summer, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas offered Ho-Sang an NHL tryout, which and so turned into a ane-way contract with the Marlies.

"I feel very heard there," Ho-Sang said. "My opinion seems like it matters. And that inspires me to go do and be improve on the ice, because I feel like I have a lot of stake in what'southward going on. I want our team to do well for my teammates and my coaches.

"And I think that that really inspires players when they feel continued to their arrangement rather than a piece of meat."

Ho-Sang practising patience

At present, Ho-Sang is working on condign more than of a "200-foot-player" committed to dorsum-checking and puck management.

"I call up my game has get a trivial more tame," Ho-Sang said. "I like to go all gas, all the time. That's merely my nature when it comes down to it. I recall to get to the side by side level, I demand to be an efficient hockey player. You've got to learn when you need to live to fight another day.

"It'southward kind of like punting in football. There's a reason why teams don't go for it on fourth down all the time. Because you put yourself in a bad position when you endeavor to take a chance information technology all."

That'south true in football. True in hockey. And true in life, equally Ho-Sang is discovering.

"Being a riverboat gambler is fun," he said. "But it's non conducive to winning consistently."

© Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press Ho-Sang, seen here during pre-season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, is taking a more than patient approach to his game as of tardily.

In Beijing, Ho-Sang realizes the magnitude of the opportunity before him, and he has a plan to keep his emotions in check.

"I myself endeavour to try my best to do Buddhism," Ho-Sang said. "I take these prayer chaplet that I keep on me almost all the time. When I get anxious or I feel overwhelmed, I can just count the chaplet individually until I start to calm down.

"I think information technology'due south important that you have tools to deal with your anxiety and nerves. For me, it's a actually nice outlet."

He's called "Buddha" by his fellow Marlies for a reason.

"Nicknames are good," he said. "Specially when they're existence used past your teammates.

"It ways that they care enough to requite you a nickname."

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Source: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/winter-olympics/talented-torontonian-ho-sang-an-x-factor-for-mens-hockey-team-in-beijing/ar-AATFBA6

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