2 hockey players poised for big role, big stage in coming season

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Auston Matthews
Center, Toronto Maple Leafs

Matthews, raised in Arizona, is a shining example of the NHL’s success in growing the sport in what is often called the nontraditional hockey markets. He also happens to be perhaps the league’s best young American talent playing in Canada’s largest media market. While he would have likely starred in the Olympics for Team USA, the league hopes the 19-year-old quickly becomes a household name in both countries.

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Hilary Knight
Forward, U.S. women’s national team and Boston Pride

The best women’s hockey players in the world will look to take over the spotlight in Pyeongchang. There are few better than Knight, arguably the face of the U.S. women’s national team and the NWHL. After nearly boycotting the World Championships before the team struck a new deal with USA Hockey, the team won gold at the event. The Olympics will be another moment to win a medal, and to advance women’s hockey in the U.S.