'To Put On The Sweater Is Obviously A Huge Honor': Jaccob Slavin To Represent Team USA

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin was named as one of the 23 players selected to represent Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

Slavin, 30, has been one of the preeminent defensive players in the league and it's nice to see him getting broader recognition as well.

The 4 Nations Face-Off will also be the first time Slavin has represented his country in over a decade.

We spoke with Slavin Friday about his selection. Here's what he had to say:

Related: Slavin Brothers Relishing Opportunity to Play Together

Ready to go into the corners with [Seth Jarvis]?: It's going to be fun. He's a good player. I'm pumped for him. Obviously Fishy we already knew about, but now Jarvy too and it's well deserved. Really excited for him.

Not going to be getting too chippy with those guys, right?: No, it'll all be in fun out there. We're going to have a good time.

I think I read that Bill Guerin called players on Thanksgiving to let them know they made the team: Yeah, I was eating some turkey... No, actually not turkey. We didn't do turkey at my house. I did some steaks. So I was eating some steak and got a call, but I didn't answer it right away. At the moment, I just didn't think it would be polite. But he sent me a text message too. So I called him a little bit later when there was a lull in the night. Super excited, really honored, thankful, blessed. It's just going to be a fun time.

What were the emotions like after that call?: My wife's family was in, but I didn't tell anybody though. I only told my wife. But no, I guess the emotions were excited. God's given me the ability to play this game and it's awesome to do it here in Raleigh all the time, but to be able to do it on a world stage and give him the glory all the way is going to be fun and really exciting.

When was your last international tournament?: World Juniors, 2013. I think that would have been the last time.

Do you remember the emotions from that tournament?: Yeah, but I didn't really play all that much. I was kind of the seventh D-man. Actually me and [Brett Pesce], it was down to me and him at that time so we were both kind of the last ones going there. But it was fun. It was in Malmo, Sweden. A good time. Played with Brady Skjei and actually roomed with him over there too. Small world there. It was fun, but obviously I'm more established now and I'm excited for this opportunity. Obviously playing against the best players in the world is going to be fun.

What does it mean to you to be chosen to represent your country?: I think growing up, you watch the movie Miracle and you just think of all the excitement that that movie had as a kid. Like just watching a bunch of kids going to compete. So just being able to put on the sweater is obviously a huge honor for all the people that have sacrificed for this country and the amazing country that it is that we live in is really cool. So to be able to go out there and represent that and what it stands for is awesome.

This also means you won't have a break in February though: Nope. Not going to have that. Definitely sacrificing that, but I think it's a unique experience. It doesn't happen all the time so you give up 10, 12 days — hopefully 12 days till the finals — and you just have fun with it. It's one of those experiences that Kylie and the kids get to come with me so it'll be super cool. So I won't be away from them for those 12 days. That would be a different story if it was.

Who are you looking forward to playing alongside most?: There's a lot of talented guys on there. Having to defend some of those guys night in and night out, to be able to be on the same team as them is going to be exciting. Matthews, Eichel, those types of guys. It'll be pretty fun to be on their side.