From Flanders to 2022 Olympic gold? Kenny Agostino to play for USA Hockey in Beijing

Kenny Agostino wasn't able to do much during his first trip back home to Flanders in almost six months. He spent time with his family and trained at Larry Robbins' indoor ice rink in Alpine.

Agostino's goals were to stay in shape before joining the United States hockey team at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing — and avoid COVID. 

Agostino was invited to join Team USA the night before Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod was scheduled to play a Russian Kontinental Hockey League game against HC Sochi. He got a call from USA Hockey general manager John Vanbiesbrouck, timed perfectly since Sochi had hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics.

"It's definitely a moment and a phone call I don't think I'll ever forget," said Agostino, a 29-year-old left wing. "I absolutely love the Olympics, too. ... As a kid growing up, my three biggest dreams in hockey were to win the Frozen Four, which I was fortunate enough to accomplish (at Yale); to win a Stanley Cup — unfortunately, that didn't happen — and to go to the Olympics, which is definitely a dream come true."

From New Jersey to the Olympics

Agostino joked the New Jersey Colonials "own me," having played in their system from Mites to age 18. Agostino was part of three NJSIAA titles at Delbarton, and graduated in 2010 as the school's all-time leading scorer, with 50 goals and 33 assists as a senior.

Originally drafted by Pittsburgh in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Agostino was part of a blockbuster trade to Calgary leading up to the 2013 Frozen Four with Yale. He helped Yale win the NCAA title as a junior — the school's first in any team sport — then turned pro after his senior season, signing a two-year contract with the Flames.

Agostino made his NHL debut on March 21, 2014, but appeared in only 10 games with the Flames. Agostino believes he was "typecast in the NHL as more of a bottom-six forward," totaling eight goals and 22 assists in 86 starts with Calgary, St. Louis, Boston, Montreal, and the Devils.

Agostino was named the AHL MVP after an 83-point season with the Chicago Wolves in 2016-17 as a member of the Blues organization, but his production dropped off with Boston's AHL affiliate the following year. 

Agostino signed a one-year deal with the Torpedo in June, then extended his contract for a second season on Dec. 28.

With 20 goals and 20 assists in 46 games for the Torpedo, Agostino ranks 14th in the KHL in points — the No. 2 American in the league. 

"I'm not grateful I was only playing that role, but grateful in the sense it showed other areas of my game I could do well," Agostino said. "I love scoring goals. There's nothing like scoring goals. I hope that's something I'm asked to do with this team."

Building Team USA

Most of the national team gathered Sunday in Los Angeles for a couple of practices before flying to Beijing. Everyone in the traveling party was required to test negative for COVID twice in a row during the three days in L.A. 

USA Hockey arrived in China the morning of the Opening Ceremony. Agostino was able to walk with his teammates.

"That'll be a really cool thing to be a part of," Agostino said. "That's pretty special in itself."

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The Americans open against host China on Feb. 10, then will play prelims against Canada and Germany, followed by a qualification playoff on Feb. 15. Quarterfinals will be Feb. 16 and semis on Feb. 18. The bronze-medal game is Feb. 19. The gold medal will be determined Feb. 20.

The United States has only won men's ice hockey gold twice: in 1980 following the so-called "Miracle on Ice" defeat of the Soviet Union in a semifinal, and 1960. The Americans have not won a medal since a silver in 2010. 

"We're excited about the mix, a great blend of youth and experience," USA Hockey coach David Quinn said. "The challenges are, you're throwing 25 guys together in a short period of time, and trying to become a cohesive unit in a quick, small window. ... This is a lifetime opportunity for all our players and everybody involved in the Olympics. USA Hockey has never had a deeper player pool. We feel very confident we've got an opportunity to win a gold medal."

This isn't the first time Agostino has worn a USA jersey. However, it will be his first international experience in red, white and blue. Agostino was invited to play a two-game series with the Under-18 national team at the University of Maine during his senior year at Delbarton. When at Yale, Agostino was part of the last set of cuts prior to the World Junior Championships. 

"I don't think anything can compare to the feeling I'm sure I'll get during the Olympics. It'll be a pretty special one for sure," Agostino said. "I want to win a gold medal, plain and simple. That's what everyone's goal is. That's our team goal."

Agostino's golden dream became more realistic on Dec. 22, when the NHL announced its players would not participate in the Olympics. The league had planned an Olympic break, but was forced to reschedule dozens of games due to COVID outbreaks. 

Only six of the American Olympians have NHL experience, including Agostino. The average age is 25.1 years, the youngest since 1994. Fifteen of the Americans are currently playing college hockey.

"It's perfect for his game: playing on a bigger sheet, having an opportunity to puck possess and make plays, play with your hair on fire a little bit, rather than playing every shift is life or death," Delbarton coach Bruce Shatel said. "In the Olympics, he's going to have a ton of pressure to perform for your country, but he's not going to worry about being re-signed, or to play in your next game. I think you're going to see great things from him at the Games."

Jane Havsy is a storyteller for the Daily Record and DailyRecord.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis, subscribe today.

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