Rangers Players Get Personal About The 4 Nations Face-Off

The 4 Nations Face-Off has caught the eyes of many including New York Rangers players who spent their vacation watching the tournament.

The competitiveness, physicality and fast-paced play of the 4 Nations Face-Off intrigued many of them.

“It’s good, it’s really good,” Alexis Lafrenière said. “It’s some of the best hockey you’re going to see. Especially that Canada-U.S. game was unbelievable. So many good players out there. It’s fun to watch some of your friends, teammates out there too, so it’s good.”

Many players with the Rangers right now represented their country at some point in time.

That includes Zac Jones, who played for Team USA in a few international tournaments before his time in the NHL as he still speaks fondly about those memories.

“There is no other feeling like it, there really isn't,” Zac Jones said about representing his country. “Especially as a kid growing up watching the World Juniors all the time, it means something to represent your family, everybody that supported you growing up and obviously to represent the greatest country in the world. It doesn't get much better than that.”

It’s hard not to get amped up watching the Olympics, the World Junior Championships, and now the 4 Nations Face-Off.

For Braden Schneider, watching this tournament makes him want to put on that Canadian jersey again.

“When you see those guys playing at that level and that group of players, to represent your country at any level is so awesome,” Schneider emphasized. “If there's another chance to play, I would love to go and represent because it’s so much fun.”

Team USA will play Team Canada on Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game and you better believe the Rangers players will be watching.

“It’s going to be a good game, it’s going to be a really good game,” Jones said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there was overtime. If Saturday was the appetizer, this is going to be the main course right here.”