Brodie Ziemer feeling blessed to captain Team USA

Key Highlights

• Brodie’s father Eric was born in 1974 and is convinced that it’s a paternal tribute.
• His mother Nicole thinks it comes from watching another Minnesotan – TJ Oshie – wear that number for Team USA in his famous one-man shootout show at the Winter Olympics in 2014. The newest American 74 was on the ice of Grand Casino on Friday night, setting up a first-period goal and coming oh so close to a breakaway goal of his own in the second period.
• Team USA prevailed 6-3 over Germany in the opener — Ziemer’s first since being named the team’s captain following their pre-Christmas training camp in Duluth. Looking a bit relieved and winded after Game 1, Ziemer confirmed — sorry dad — that Oshie was the inspiration for his unique digits, and talked about the honor and pressure that comes from wearing the C on his sweater.“I’m so honored.
• Like, I’m feeling super blessed,” he said.
• “Such a good group of dudes to be able to be captain for, getting to do it on such a big stage in my home state.