BLOG: Commesso Named to U.S. Roster for 2022 Winter Olympics

Blackhawks prospect
Drew Commesso
has been named to the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, one of three netminders headed to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing for the Americans.
With the NHL and NHLPA announcing in late December
that NHL players would not be headed to this year's Winter Olympics
, Team USA turned its focus to the minor league, college and international ranks to fill its roster for the Beijing games. Commesso, a 2020 second-round pick (46th overall) who started the lone game for the U.S. at the 2022 World Junior Championship before the tournament was cancelled, was a top choice in net for U.S. general manager John Vanbiesbrouck and head coach David Quinn.

"First of all, it is an incredible honor for Drew to be able to represent his country on a stage like the Olympics," Blackhawks interim general manager Kyle Davidson said. "This will be an experience he will never forget and he should be proud -- the Blackhawks are extremely pleased to have him representing the organization. Drew is developing into a great young goaltender and playing in the Olympics will only help him. We wish him the best of luck in Beijing."
Commesso is in his sophomore season at Boston University. He has played in 30 games for the Terriers over his first two campaigns, posting a 14-10-4 record. In 19 games this season, he has a 2.67 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage while playing the third-most minutes among Hockey East netminders (1,099 min.).
He stopped 23 of the 25 shots faced (.920 SV%) in a 3-2 win over Slovakia on Dec. 26 at this year's World Juniors before the tournament was cut short due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.
The U.S. Olympic Men's Team will compete in Group A of the 12-team tournament beginning on Feb. 10, with Canada, Germany and host nation China rounding out the group.
The tournament's top four teams after Preliminary Round will earn automatic placement in the Quarterfinal Round, which is set for Feb. 16. The remaining eight teams will compete in the Qualification Playoff on Feb. 15 with the winners of the four matchups advancing to the Quarterfinal Round.

U.S. Men's Olympic Team Qualifying Round Schedule

• Thursday, Feb. 10vs. China - 7:10 a.m. CST
• Friday, Feb. 11 vs. Canada - 10:10 p.m. CST (Feb. 12 in China)
• Sunday, Feb. 13 vs. Germany - 7:10 a.m. CST

Men's Olympic Tournament Dates

• Feb. 9-13: Qualifying Round
• Feb. 15: Qualification Playoff
• Feb. 16: Quarterfinal Round
• Feb. 18: Semifinal Round
• Feb. 19: Bronze-Medal Game
• Feb. 20: Gold-Medal Game