NY Islanders D Scott Mayfield has enjoyed watching teammates as Olympics spectator

As the NHL paused for the Olympic break, New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield found himself doing something rare: sitting back and simply enjoying hockey.

From a quiet cabin in the Poconos, Mayfield traded game prep and video sessions for family time, a little rest, and plenty of Olympic viewing. “Yeah, a lot of TV time — reading, hanging out. Not a lot to do in the middle of the woods,” he said with a smile. “We had the Olympics on, the Super Bowl, stuff like that. So it was good — some good sporting events. I love the Olympics. I love watching it. So it was a nice break.”

But this year’s Olympic hockey carried a little extra intrigue. Several of Mayfield’s teammates were competing on the international stage, turning casual viewing into something more personal.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “Seeing the world’s best players — there’s some special talent there. The games are fast, the games are good, and it’s been fun to watch them.”

National pride, however, still runs deep. “Obviously Team USA — as much as I love Bo and he’s my teammate — you want to see your country do well,” Mayfield admitted. “It was fun watching him and Pali play against each other.”

That mix of loyalty and friendship reflects the dynamic inside the Islanders’ dressing room. Rivalries exist — but they’re layered with relationships built over years in the league.

“There’s a little bit [of chirping],” Mayfield said of the Olympic banter. “But the personal connections — you have friends on teams and everyone kind of knows each other. You’re kind of rooting for them, too.”

For Mayfield, the break offered perspective. No scouting reports. No systems breakdowns. “For me, it’s just enjoying hockey. I’m not really breaking down the game like I do during our games. It’s just good hockey out there.” And when the Islanders reconvened, those Olympic storylines followed them right back into the room.