"It's been a minute since I represented Team USA, but it's a complete honor and something I never even expected," explained the 5-foot-8, 175 pound forward known as much for his grit as he is for his speed. "When our season was over in New Jersey, I was just packing up, getting ready to go home, but I was very excited to get the call and appreciate the opportunity. We want to win, but hopefully we can have some fun along the way and enjoy getting to know different guys and spend time with guys you haven't seen in awhile.
As if on cue, his former Boston College linemate Cam Atkinson (Columbus Blue Jackets) walked by and Gibbons smiled and added: "To be honest, I didn't even know where the tournament was, but looked up the roster and saw Cam was there and I said, 'I'm in!'"
Although he doesn't have any points in three games for USA so far in the tournament, head coach Jeff Blashill (Detroit Red Wings) likes what he's seen defensively from Gibbons as he's been primarily used in a shut down role on the fourth line and on the penalty kill.
"He and I talked before the tournament and I told him he was going to be an important piece, certainly on the penalty kill, and he's bought into that and done a good job," the coach explained. "He knows how to manage his minutes and make the most of limited ice time and that's critical. You gotta get good minutes out of everybody and, looking ahead, I think he's got the ability to score goals for us, as he's shown this year in New Jersey, and continue to do a good job on the penalty kill. I like what he's brought to our team a lot."
For Gibbons, it's an opportunity to play for his country, extend his season a couple weeks, continue to prove his worth and hopefully get better along the way.
"I didn't have too many expectations because I really didn't get to think about it too much. I found out I was coming and then it felt like I left the next day," Gibbons said. "So it's been a fun first week getting to know the guys and hanging out with guys you're usually playing against and starting the tournament with three wins, is just about all we can ask for right now. We just want to keep it going and keep improving.
When asked what that means, he responded, "[I want to] score goals, play my role, create chances offensively when I can and be sound defensively. As a team, we want to play well, win and, hopefully, go home with a medal. A gold one."
Team USA plays Latvia on Thursday at 10 a.m. ET on NHL Network.
