I knew that one day I wanted to be a part of that. From that moment forward, in my head, I had four years to earn a spot on Canada’s team for the Sochi Games in 2014. Of course, I wanted to win a Stanley Cup, too. But in the background, I was thinking about that spot with Team Canada. It was coming.

I love playing in San Jose. My wife and I have made it our home. But playing for Canada, where you were born and raised? It’s different. Wearing the sweater with the Maple Leaf, it does something to you. As the Sochi team selection announcement approached, my name was on the media’s predictions list, so I had a shot.

My wife Martine and I will remember the day of the announcement for the rest of our lives. It was at the beginning of January. I was on the road with the Sharks and I had gotten up a little earlier than usual to FaceTime with Martine. We watched the TV at the same time. I will always remember the feeling that came over me when I was chosen. It is certainly one of the best feelings I have had in my entire career.

But as soon as the moment passed, I told myself, “Now we have a lot of pressure on our shoulders, because Canada never loses at the Olympics. Canada isn’t allowed to lose.”