Don Waddell
Don Waddell
Donald Douglas Waddellis the former, and last President of the Atlanta Thrashers and a former professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently President of Gale Force Sports & Entertainment, parent company of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League...
best compete confident continues country difficult extremely gold group hockey means pleased pool position process selection solid statement talent team terrific together united
We are extremely pleased with our team and feel very confident that we've put a solid group together that will best put us in a position to compete for the gold medal. The selection process was an extremely difficult one and that's a terrific statement for hockey in the United States. It means our talent pool in this country continues to grow.
bubble certainly goal guys himself played selecting themselves
Certainly he was on the bubble as we started, but played himself on the team. That's what our goal was when we were selecting this team. Let guys play themselves on or off the team.
against continue
If we continue to play as well as we did against Slovakia, we are going to be fine.
accident cap car caught doctor exactly knee normally parts rut says shattered
I don't know exactly how it happened. From what I've been told, he caught a rut or something and parts of his knee cap shattered off. His doctor says it's the kind of accident you normally see in a car accident.
brings capable certainly challenge experience felt handle himself key next peter proven ranks ready type
Peter has proven himself through the ranks as a coach. This is the next challenge for him. I think he's very capable and ready to handle these duties. I always felt that international experience is a key for this type of position, and Peter certainly brings that to the table.
legal patterns
Some of his patterns come in legal and some come in illegal.
amateur best past scouts seen
One of our scouts said he was the best amateur goalie he had seen in the past 10 years.
change decision guys injury maybe named performed positions roll ryan team three today wish
We made a decision back in December. We all wish we could make this decision today on your whole team because maybe some other positions would change also. Ryan has come back from his injury and has performed very well, but we're very comfortable with the three guys we've named and we're going to roll with them.
confident excited franchise group next players poised step taking
We're excited about where this franchise is headed. I'm very confident in the group of players we've put together. We're taking it one step at a time. But this franchise is poised to take the next step, and we will take the next step.
confident few follow good next ok paperwork reported send within
We're confident that it'll be reported back to us within the next 24 hours. Once they OK it, they'll just send us an e-mail immediately, and then the paperwork will follow in a few days. Once we get that, he'll be good to go.
game hockey mentioned name national respected speaks usa volumes
Chris's name was the first name mentioned by everyone. That just speaks volumes for how he's respected in the game of hockey, and for what he's done not only in the National Hockey League, but for what he's done for USA Hockey over the years.
choice game high mentioned name pick respected speaks volumes
Chris' name was the first name mentioned by everyone. That just speaks volumes for how he's respected in the game of hockey. He does everything at a high level. There was no other choice for us but to pick Chris.
challenge coach next past peter proven
I can't say Peter is an up-and-coming coach because he is past that. He has proven himself. This is the next challenge for him.
chance franchise gives next pieces position step
We've put a lot pieces in place this summer. The franchise is in position to take the next big step. Ilya gives us a better chance to take that step to go even further.