NY Islanders All Star Mathew Barzal knows Team Canada fate will take care of itself

In past training camps, New York Islanders All-Star Mathew Barzal often spoke about lofty goals: climbing into the NHL’s upper tier of stars, or one day pulling on the maple leaf at the Olympics. But this fall, fresh off knee surgery and a challenging rehab, Barzal isn’t worried about making a case to the hockey world — or even to Hockey Canada.

His priority is simpler: staying healthy, playing his game, and letting everything else fall into place.

“Just to be able to come back from an injury like I did, that in itself has proven to me how mentally strong I am,” Barzal told Ethan Sears of the New York Post before the Islanders’ preseason matchup with the Rangers at UBS Arena. “When it happened, when the injury happened, the boys were so gracious with me, just so there for me at all times. It’s also a reason why I was able to rehab so well, ’cause I felt so much support for the boys.”

Barzal’s kneecap injury last February cost him the rest of the season and required surgery. He’s checked all the medical boxes since then, and though Patrick Roy has cautioned that it may take time for him to fully hit his stride, the 28-year-old looks ready for the grind. A move back to center only adds to the adjustment, but it’s one Barzal welcomes.

That’s why Hockey Canada’s omission of his name from its Olympic orientation camp this summer doesn’t sting the way it might have a few years ago.

“I had a couple injuries last year that nobody got a really good look at my game,” he said. “There’s been a little bit of communication [with Hockey Canada]. There’s a little bit of a longer list [of players], I guess, so like I’ve said, it’d be an honor to play there.”

But, by the sound of things, he’s not losing sleep over it.

“Hockey Canada’s got great people there,” Barzal added. “I know a lot of the guys there. They’re awesome people. They’re gonna do whatever they can to win. They won the 4 Nations with a great team they put together. They got a lot of great options. I wasn’t too — no, I wasn’t mad.”

For now, Barzal’s focus stays closer to home. A healthy, confident season with the Islanders would answer any questions — both for himself and, if the opportunity comes, for Team Canada too.