18 of the 25 Chinese players on the Beijing Olympics men's hockey team were born in North America. Many have no Chinese heritage or connection.
Jake Chelios (30 years old), a defenseman from the United States, is one of them. He is the son of Chris Chelios (three-time Stanley Cup champion) and American hockey legend.
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The younger Chelios grew up watching his father compete in the 2002 Winter Olympics. He will now face his father's team as well as his home country on February 10.
Chelios stated that half of the family was initially confused about what was happening, but they are now beginning to see how special it is.
Chelios moved to Beijing in 2019, after he was purchased by the Chinese-owned Kunlun Red Star hockey team, which is widely regarded as the best hockey league in the world.
"Since we have been here for three years, no matter what it is, we feel a closer connection to China. He said that we have been eating Chinese food and living Chinese culture for three years. This makes it easier to feel like we are going to represent China and want to win.
Chelios is one of the players who can play for China. The International Ice Hockey Federation allows players to represent a country after they have lived there for at least two years.
All the Kunlun players are overwhelmingly from abroad. The IIHF confirmed that non-Chinese nationals are eligible to play for China despite the fact that the team relocated to Moscow in the midst of the pandemic.
American goaltender Jeremy Smith insists that he wasn't asked by Chinese officials to renounce American citizenship. He also said that he was extremely excited to play for China.
Smith replied, "Ofcourse I said yes," and adorned his mask in Chinese with his name. "It's an honor to be a part of the Olympics. To dream of being a host city for the Olympics was a dream I had.
China's professional hockey players could be serious rivals to the American team made up largely of NCAA-athletes after the National Hockey League announced that NHL players would not have the right to participate in the Olympics.
Chelios stated, "It's much more realistic to do some harm for us." "We want the teams to be challenged and we need to show respect for China."
Chelios acknowledged that it was uncomfortable playing against the Americans but said that he did not regret his decision.
