Josh Ho-Sang's line mates for the Olympic Games revealed
It's been a bit of a Cinderella story season for Toronto Marlies forward Josh Ho-Sang. The 26-year-old winger has spent the majority of his pro hockey career playing in the American Hockey League, primarily due to his supposed "attitude issues" during his time in Long Island.
Ho-Sang had taken his pro career overseas last season, ultimately being cut from a pair of clubs in Sweden, which turned out to be a bit of a wake-up call for the skilled winger. Ho-Sang credits his time in Sweden as a key factor in his shift in perspective.
The 28th overall pick in 2014, Ho-Sang signed a professional try-out contract with the Leafs this past summer and looked very good during training camp. Although he didn't end up with an NHL contract, he was thrilled to sign an AHL deal to play with his hometown Toronto Marlies and to have the opportunity to work his way towards an NHL contract.
Now Ho-Sang finds himself in the enviable position of earning a spot on Team Canada's Olympic Men's Hockey roster and he has his hard work and his brand new attitude to thank for that. Simply put, this could end up being a very big year in Ho-Sang's life - and it could still result in him returning to the NHL at some point this season.
Since it was announced that Ho-Sang had made Team Canada's roster, there was a sense that he could play a pivotal role for the club in Beijing, but it was unclear exactly where he would play and who he would play with. Well, that question appears to have been answered.
Per Josh Clipperton of The Canadian Press, Ho-Sang is expected to play on Team Canada's captain Eric Staal's wing. On the opposite flank, Anaheim Ducks top prospect Mason McTavish has drawn the assignment.
This line could do some damage for Team Canada. Obviously, we know what Eric Staal has been able to do over a lengthy and decorated NHL and International career. Ho-Sang, a skilled playmaker, will likely be the primary setup man on that line, looking to find McTavish and Staal in the offensive zone, but the Toronto native is also a very capable goal scorer in his own right.
Last month, it was reported that Ho-Sang was drawing interest from several NHL clubs, so you'd have to believe that a strong showing at the Olympic Games would earn him an NHL contract shortly after he returns from Beijing.
Ho-Sang has already given the Leafs the first rights to sign him and has also announced that he would not accept a deal elsewhere without first sitting down and discussing it with Leafs GM Kyle Dubas. The loyalty is nothing less than heartwarming, and I sincerely hope that the Leafs can find a spot for him upon his return. If not, we have seen Dubas work with players in the past to find the right opportunity in the right city. We saw this most recently with defender Mikko Lehtonen (traded to Columbus) and forward Alexander Barabanov (traded to San Jose).
