Captain Brian Gionta visited NBCSN headquarters this morning near the Gangneung Hockey Centre for a sit-down interview with Liam McHugh. McHugh lightheartedly referred to Gionta – who at 39 is the oldest player on the team – as the father of the group. Gionta and McHugh worked briefly together last hockey season when Gionta served as a guest analyst for NBCSN during the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The U.S. practiced this morning on the main rink at Gangneung Hockey Centre, its fifth and final full practice before it faces Slovenia in its first game tomorrow night at 9:10 p.m. local time (7:10 a.m. ET) at Kwandong Hockey Centre.

Head Coach Tony Granato announced Ryan Zapolski will get the start in goal tomorrow against Slovenia. Zapolski plays for Jokerit in the KHL and leads the league in shutouts with nine. Tomorrow will mark his first Olympic appearance.

Folllowing practice, the U.S. training staff was busy at work packing up the team’s lockerroom and moving headquarters to the gameday lockerroom in Kwandong Hockey Centre to get set-up for the team’s 9:45 a.m. morning skate. It will be the first time the players will skate on the ice there prior to the game tomorrow night against Slovenia.

TEAM HOSTS

The U.S. has two team hosts – Ryan Kim and Chris Ko. Both have Korean roots but are living in the U.S. The team hosts play a critical role in overall team operations and in particular translation issues.

Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea, and lived there until age 12 before moving to the U.S. He resides in Boston and is going to UMass-Lowell to study health science and would like to be a team doctor. His father is working for the South Korean Olympic Committee.

Ko, whose parents have South Korean roots, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is currently attending Western Michigan University and studying aviation flight sciences. Ko ultimately hopes to be an airline pilot someday.

TODAY SHOW
The day concluded with Brian GiontaNoah WelchBobby Butler and Jim Slater making an appearance on TODAY on NBC. The show is live in the U.S. beginning at 9 p.m. in South Korea. The four players had the chance to visit with Mike Tirico in the green room prior to going on for their hit with Al Roker. The also had a chance to meet and take a photo with Chloe Kim, who captured gold for the U.S. in women's snowboarding halfpipe.

Top 5 Songs on Playlist of Defenseman Noah Welch

No Good - Kaleo
All the Pretty Girls - Kaleo
River - Leon Bridges
Better Man - Leon Bridges
Coming Home - Leon Bridges