Repeat Olympian Rolston ready to roll

Originally published on IIHF.com in 2002

By Lucas Aykroyd

In the National Hockey League, Brian Rolston of the Boston Bruins is generally viewed as a solid defensive forward with good wheels. But as a member of the American Olympic team in Salt Lake City, he may prove that he has more than just speed to burn.

The 28-year-old native of Flint, Michigan is enjoying an outstanding year with the Bruins. Entering the Olympic break, he’s already topped his previous career-best in goals with 25 tallies. And Rolston knows what it takes to score at the Games.

NHL fans typically associate Rolston with New Jersey’s first Stanley Cup victory in 1994-95, when he was a rookie. But before breaking in with the Devils, he led Team USA at the Lillehammer Olympics with seven goals. Only Slovakia’s Miroslav Satan outdid him, scoring nine times.

There’s much more to Rolston’s international career. He notched 20 points in 22 games at the IIHF World Junior Championships from 1991 to 1993, capturing a bronze medal in 1992.

In 1996, the 6-2, 205-pound center snared another bronze with the USA at the World Championships in Vienna and appeared in one World Cup game that fall as his countrymen toppled Team Canada.

But for Rolston, Olympic gold would top all of these accomplishments on the world stage. He’s already soaking up the atmosphere in Salt Lake City.

“Just to be a part of the whole Olympic experience is tremendous,” said Rolston. “It’s quite an honor for myself to be here, and for all of us.”

Rolston flew into town Wednesday with teammates Sergei Samsonov (Russia), P.J. Axelsson (Sweden) and Bill Guerin (USA), along with members of the Vancouver Canucks.

“It’s nice to get in here and get everything set,” Rolston said. “You have a day of rest before you practice again. I’m glad that the schedule went the way it did for [Boston], at least.”

Rolston has been the victim of some unfortunate timing in the NHL since his first Stanley Cup. The Devils sent him to Colorado when reacquiring Claude Lemieux in November 1999, and Rolston missed out on New Jersey’s second Cup.

He didn’t stick with Colorado long enough to share in their 2001 triumph. The Avalanche shipped him to Boston in the highly anticipated deal for Ray Bourque, who finally fulfilled his dream of 22 years.

At these 2002 Games, Rolston hopes he isn’t left out in the cold again. He’ll be a role player under USA Head Coach Herb Brooks, but he has confidence in his talented teammates ranging from Jeremy Roenick to Mike Richter.

“There’s a few teams that could legitimately win gold here,” said Rolston. “I believe we have as good a chance as anybody. We have a strong team from front to back. It’s a matter of coming together as a team in a short period of time.”

Rolston is conscious that the patriotic pandemonium in the E Center could inspire Team USA to perform at its best.

“The tournament’s in our backyard, so to speak. With the tragedy that happened on September 11, I’ve heard the patriotism has been incredible. If you’re going to play in the Olympics, to play in the United States as an American athlete, you couldn’t ask for anything more.”