NHL’s Seth Jones Details The Differences In How The Best Hockey Countries In The World Approach The Game

If there’s anyone who can speak to the nuances of regional hockey, it’s Seth Jones.

The Columbus Blue Jackets alternate captain helped shepherd the United States to back-to-back gold medals at the 2011 and 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships, and earned the US it’s first gold in a decade at the U20 level the following year in a 3-1 win over Sweden.

Jones, who’s strong play helped him secure an ambassadorship with Uncle Bud’s Hemp & CBD, sat down with us on Endless Hustle to discuss how the greatest hockey countries on the planet approach the game.

SWEDEN

“Definitely more of a puck control team. So they’re not going to dump the puck in every shift. They’re always going to bring it back. They’re going to try to create offensively and not just give it back to you. Their passing is going to be sharp. Their power plays are going to be good.”

RUSSIA

“You’re going to have a lot of skill up front, for sure. They’re going to try to out-skill you, and they’re going to put the puck in the net. And they’re going to be good at it.”

Prime example:

FINLAND 

“Straight ahead, hard-working team.”

CANADA

“A mix of everything. That’s why they’re so successful, because they have hard-working lines, they have the skill lines, they have the goalies, they have the defensemen. They’re kind of dominated international play for a while now.”

U.S.A. 

“I think we’re right there [with Canada] as well.  I think we play a hard, straight game. But then you have guys like Patty Kane that can make plays and be some of the most skilled players in the world.

So very excited about international play. Hopefully we sign that deal with the NHL to play in the 2022 Winter Olympics and hopefully I’m part of that. That’s definitely a goal of mine to play there, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jones will look to earn his fourth gold medal in international play if he’s selected for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, which rests in the hands of Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. Team USA (Men’s) has not won an Olympic Gold Medal since the 1980 “Miracle” team won Gold in Lake Placid. Let’s change that!

Check out our entire interview with Seth Jones (and comedian Jo Koy below!)

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