Philipp Kurashev of the San Jose Sharks has returned to the Bay Area after making his Olympic debut in Milan, and he had plenty to share about his experience.
Kurashev kicked off his Olympic journey by marching with his fellow countrymen during the opening ceremony, a moment that set the stage for his time on the ice. He played in all five games for Switzerland, marking his Olympic debut with a goal against Italy and adding two assists. With Los Angeles Kings star Kevin Fiala sidelined by injury, Kurashev was promoted to the first line during Switzerland's match-up against Canada.
Reflecting on his time in Milan, Kurashev described the experience as "special," noting the thrill of seeing the iconic Olympic rings everywhere. "It’s just a really cool experience," he shared.
Switzerland's journey ended in a nail-biting quarterfinal loss to Finland, 3-2 in overtime, with Finland eventually claiming the bronze medal. "The games are the fun part," Kurashev said. "Of course, we wish we could have finished a little better, but the games were the most fun."
There had been concerns about the rink size in Milan, slightly shorter than typical NHL rinks, but Kurashev didn’t feel it impacted the game. He did note the fast-paced style of play, which made the matches even more exciting. "All the shots and everything from the boards were a lot more dangerous," he observed.
With Milan just a short trip from Switzerland, Swiss fans showed up in force to support their team. "A lot of our fans always travel wherever we play," Kurashev remarked, appreciating the atmosphere they created despite fewer chants than usual.
Adding to the special nature of the Olympics was the presence of Kurashev's family and friends, making his first Olympic experience even more memorable.
One unique aspect of the Olympics is the chance to face NHL teammates on the international stage. Kurashev squared off against fellow Shark Macklin Celebrini, who played alongside superstars Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon for Team Canada.
"They’re very fast," Kurashev commented on the formidable line. "You just try to limit them as much as you can."
Although Kurashev didn’t attend other Olympic events in person, he caught what he could on TV, cheering on Swiss athletes and celebrating their successes. "I’m happy for everyone that got medals," he said, showing pride in his country's achievements.