Pietroniro Transforms from Hockey Nomad to Olympic Star with Team Italy
The journey of Pietroniro from an uncertain hockey player to an Olympic competitor is remarkable. As Italy prepares to face Sweden in their inaugural game, Pietroniro feels a mix of excitement and nerves. The match is set for Wednesday at 3:10 p.m. ET, available for viewing on Peacock, USA, ICI TOU.TV, CBC Gem, SN, and RDS.
Pietroniro’s Olympic Dream
Pietroniro expresses profound pride in representing Italy at the Olympics. “It’s the realization of a dream,” he shared. “It’s a crazy experience, once in a lifetime.” The young athlete is currently in his second season with Rytiri Kladno, a Czech team.
Playing Under Legends
His current head coach is Tomas Plekanec, an assistant for Team Czechia. Pietroniro also plays alongside hockey legend Jaromir Jagr, who is still competing at age 53. “I can’t describe Jagr in just one word,” he said. “If I had to choose, I’d say ‘legend.’ He loves the game so much, and I’m fortunate to play beside him.” Under Plekanec’s supervision, Pietroniro notes the team has improved and is only three points away from a playoff position.
Facing Tough Competition
Italy’s Group B at the Olympics poses significant challenges. The group includes formidable teams like Sweden, Finland, and Slovakia. Although Pietroniro’s old acquaintance, Auston Matthews, leads Team USA in Group C, he hopes to reconnect with him in the athletes’ village.
Past Connections
- Pietroniro has a personal connection to Matthews through family.
- Matthews played with Pietroniro’s brother, Matteo, in Arizona.
- The two skated together during summer training years ago.
While the likelihood of meeting Matthews on the ice seems slim, Pietroniro remains optimistic. “I’ve promised myself that I’d go say hi,” he stated, illustrating the camaraderie that transcends competition in the Olympic spirit.
