Which Olympic Teams Got a Boost Without NHLers? Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg2Nzg3MTI1NjMzNDkyNjc5/usatsi_10632184.jpg] With the 2022 Winter Olympics mere weeks away, nations have begun to unveil the rosters that will lead them on a quest for gold. Slovakia is the latest nation to announce the 25 players they have selected to represent their country in Beijing next month, with the full list of players being found below. FORWARDS: Peter Cehlarik, Michal Kristof, Marko Dano, Kristian Pospisil, Adrian Holesinksy, Pavol Regenda, Marek Hrivik, Milos Roman, Libor Hudacek, Jurag Slafkovsky, Tomas Jurco, Samuel Takac, Milos Kelemen, Peter Zuzin. DEFENSEMEN: Michal Cajkovsky, Mario Qrman, Peter Ceresnak, Samuel Knazko, Marek Dologa, Martin Marincin, Martin Qernat, Simon Nemec. GOALTENDERS: Branislav Konrad, Patrik Rybar, Matej Tomak. Despite the NHL withdrawing its participation to this year's Games back in December, the 2022 version of Team Slovakia still carries a number of former big-league faces. Leading Slovakia's blueline is Martin Marincin, the lanky defender who spent 227 total NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs, and was actually one of the longest-tenured members of the Leafs' roster last season before ultimately signing with Trinec Ocelari HC of the Czech league this summer. Kristian Pospisil gives Slovakia another Maple Leafs alumnus in its ranks, with the 25-year-old having previously spent time in the Leafs organization with the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears and the AHL's Toronto Marlies in 2017-18. Pospisil now currently plays for HC Davos in Switzerland. Aside from Marincin, Marko Dano has the longest NHL resume on the team, suiting up in 141 career games from 2014-2019 for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets, and Colorado Avalanche. Dano even had the makings of a quality contributor at one point, as the former first-round pick racked up 21 points in 35 games as a rookie for the Blue Jackets before ultimately bouncing around the league. With one of the most even playing fields in recent Olympic history, this year's Gold is anyone's to earn.
