Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk always shared an affinity for the Olympic Winter Games.

“I remember watching all of them growing up but especially in 2010, because it was my first year in the league, and just hoping one day I get a chance,” he said.

Van Riemsdyk received his first taste of Olympic competition during the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and he made his presence felt.

“It was a huge thrill and something that I always wanted to do,” he said. “The Olympics are bigger than hockey itself. Everyone has trained their whole lives for that one moment, and it was cool to be in that kind of setting.

“It was a great overall experience.”

Van Riemsdyk took it all in during his time in Sochi. He particularly enjoyed the surroundings of the Olympic Village, the accommodation center that houses participating athletes.

“It was pretty cool seeing all the other athletes as they’re going for gold,” van Riemsdyk said. “Staying with all the American athletes and being in that kind of setting was really cool.”

Van Riemsdyk fondly recalled the memories of the historic preliminary-round clash between the United States and host Russia, noting his phone was flooded with text messages following the Americans’ shootout win.

“That’s one you’ll always remember,” he said. “Those are the types of events that help grow the sport of hockey because you have the casual fan tuning in to something like that. It was cool to be a part of it.”

Van Riemsdyk, a native of Middletown, N.J., was selected No. 2 overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Only fellow American Patrick Kane went higher. It was the first time in league history that two Americans were selected first and second overall in the same draft.

Toronto acquired van Riemsdyk through a trade with the Flyers in the summer of 2012, and the 25-year-old has flourished alongside Maple Leafs and Team USA sniper Phil Kessel, setting career highs with 30 goals and 61 points last season. A quick start, with 14 goals before Jan. 1, proved key for van Riemsdyk with the Winter Games looming.

“I knew there was a lot more at stake than just the usual season with the Olympics,” he said. “I wanted to get off to a good start. That kind of pushes you to take that next step and reach the next level.”

Kessel, considered one of the best American-born players of this era, helped his teammate adjust during his first Olympic experience.

“It was great because he had been there before,” van Riemsdyk said. “We were roommates, so it wasn’t too much of an adjustment period for me. I was able to get comfortable pretty quickly.”

Kessel, who plays on a line opposite van Riemsdyk in Toronto, was a member of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team that captured the silver medal in Vancouver. While the Americans weren’t able to win gold in Sochi, van Riemsdyk enjoyed a breakout performance with a goal and a tournament-leading six assists. He also led the tournament in plus-minus with a plus-7.

“I think me and Phil kind of showed what we were all about over there,” van Riemsdyk said. “We came up short as a team, which is very disappointing, but as far as playing in a tournament like that, being able to have some personal success was great.

“Obviously, at the end of the day, we would’ve liked to come home with a gold medal.”

Van Riemsdyk continues to produce for the Maple Leafs. He is on pace to again set career marks in goals and points as his team battles for early playoff positioning.

“It’s been a roller-coaster ride to say the least,” he said. “We found some more consistency through our play, but when it comes down to it, we have the physical tools. We just have to play smart and we’ll be fine.”

If all goes as planned, his play will help lead the Maple Leafs back to the playoffs after missing out last season.

“That would be huge as an Original Six franchise,” van Riemsdyk said. “When we played in it two years ago, it was awesome.

“It’s a long road until then, so we’ll take it one day at a time, but hopefully we can get there. That’s our ultimate goal.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.