Doug Weight was a member of Team USA's silver medal winning team in Salt Lake City.

Weight likes underdog role
By Rich Libero | NHL.com
Feb. 15, 2006

TORINO, Italy - The 2006 U.S. Olympic hockey team isn't a bunch of rag-tag college kids coached by a visionary named Herb Brooks, but that doesn't mean Team USA can't play the role of underdog.

Not many pundits are giving the United States a chance at winning a medal at these Winter Games. After winning the silver at Salt Lake, this new American team boasts a blend of young and old; experienced and raw.

"The underdog role doesn't bother you, but when you start seeing six, seven, eighth, it gets to you in a good way," says Carolina Hurricanes center Doug Weight.

The first test begins on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET (NBC), when the Americans face off against Latvia, another team that has a long way to go in the eyes of many experts.

"The teams that are the top two or three deserve to be there," Weight said.

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The top two or three teams consist of Canada and the Czech Republic. Who fits in at number three -- Russia, Sweden or Slovakia -- is open for debate. The Americans quietly think they have a shot of climbing to at least those heights, but only playing time will tell.

This year's squad is banking that a core of experienced players in Weight, Mike Modano, Chris Chelios, Bill Guerin, Brian Rolston and Keith Tkachuk can lead a mix of talented young forwards such as New Jersey's Brian Gionta (33 goals in 58 games) and Carolina's Erik Cole (54 points in 57 games). The Islanders' Mark Parrish is a high-energy forward who's got 21 goals in 52 games.

Weight, who is playing in his third Olympics (1998 and 2002) broke into the NHL with the New York Rangers in 1991. Taken 34th overall in the 1990 Entry Draft out of Lake Superior State, Weight was among a new breed of American players that began to flood the NHL in the late 1980's and early '90's.

Some could say that Weight's presence was a product of the 1980 Miracle on Ice and to a degree he admits that he was, but his first real Olympic impression was that of Pat Lafontaine playing for Team USA in the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo.

"I remember watching Patty Lafontaine growing up and knowing that he was from Detroit," said Weight, a native of Warren, MI. "Seeing him out there and knowing that I watched him playing and was playing in the same system as him. Growing up in the same ranks -- and I don't know if anyone scored as many goals as Patty did in those leagues -- but certainly you get the belief of wanting to fill those shoes."

Like Lafontaine, who was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003, Weight was considered a playmaker and point-getter. He enjoyed his most productive season with Edmonton in 1995-96 when he notched 79 assists and 104 points. Weight has never scored more than 26 goals in a season, but he's dished out more than 50 assists seven times.

While Weight enjoyed eight seasons in Edmonton, he spent the last 3 1/2 in St. Louis. That relationship ended in late January when he was traded to Carolina.

While some might call the trade an elevator deal, sweeping Weight from a team at the bottom of the NHL standings to one at the top, Team USA would label it fortuitous. Weight is part of a large Carolina contingent along with head coach Peter Laviolette, defenseman Bret Hedican and Cole.

Laviolette has led the Hurricanes to the second-best point total (82) in the NHL at the Olympic break. He also coached Team USA in the 2005 World Championships where they slipped on the mantle of underdog.

Weight is part of a large Carolina contingent along with head coach Peter Laviolette, defenseman Bret Hedican and Erik Cole.

At the World Championships, the U.S. nearly stunned the host Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. The U.S. was leading the match 2-1 with 10 minutes to go. But the Czechs tied the game and beat them in a shootout to avoid what would've been a stunning upset.

"We had a lot of pride in that tournament," Weight said.

Which is a good thing because 10 of the players from that World Championship squad have been selected for the Olympics. The World Championships helped those players not only get a feel for one another, but also Laviolette's system.

"When you get a new system, as a hockey player, if you think, you slow down," Weight said.

He said with a good three periods under their belts, Team USA should have things down pat. "I think by the weekend we'll be fine."

And Weight should know. This will be his ninth appearance for Team USA in either the Olympics, World Cup or World Championships. He captured a World Cup trophy in 1996 and a silver at the 2002 Olympics.

Could Weight conclude this tournament with another precious medal around his neck?

The first step starts with getting by an unknown Latvian squad that boasts former NHL goalie (and Hurricane) Arturs Irbe as well as defensemen Sandis Ozolinsh (a former Hurricane) and Colorado's Karlis Skrastins.

"The coach sends an idea into the locker room and then it has to be executed by the players," Laviolette said.

With Doug Weight in the room, Laviolette will sleep better knowing that his ideas have a good chance of being executed.