Host hockey team has seven North Americans

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA» Mike Testwuide is playing at the Olympics for a country he couldn’t find on a map.

As a kid growing up in Vail, Testwuide dreamed of playing college hockey and reaching the NHL. He accomplished that, and then a funny thing happened: His path took him to the Asian League and now to the spotlight of the biggest moment in host South Korea’s brief hockey history.

“You don’t even really know this country exists when you’re young,” Testwuide said. “The hockey world, it’s a crazy journey and it can lead you to do pretty crazy

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things and pretty amazing things, and that’s the journey we’re on right now. I couldn’t have imagined it, but I’m really happy I’m living it.”

Testwuide isn’t living it alone. He’s one of seven North American-born players on the Korean national team, with Canadians Matt Dalton, Alex Plante, Bryan Young, Eric Regan, Brock Radunske and Michael Swift — all now dual citizens who feel as comfortable wearing “KOREA” on their chests as they do any other uniform.

The men’s team is a mix of North Americans and South Koreans.