Natalie Spooner had just gotten off the ice on Tuesday night when she heard the news.
The Team Canada forward didn't know the exact details of the U.S. team's four-year agreement with USA Hockey. At the time, she didn't much care. All that mattered, she said, was that Canada's biggest — and, let's face it, only — rival was back in the women's hockey championship.
“We're pretty excited,” said Spooner. “I don't think the tournament would be the same without them, so I just think we're looking forward to the tournament now. We feel ready and we're excited to play against them.