NHL

10 things to know about hockey hero T.J. Oshie

T.J. Oshie gained more fans in one shootout than in his six seasons in the NHL, repelling Russia with a must-see set of goals in Saturday morning’s Olympic thriller. Before Team USA plays its next game, here are some things to know about America’s new favorite player:

– Was born in Washington state, but moved to Minnesota as a teenager.

– Led Warroad High School in Minnesota to two state titles. Gigi Marvin, a member of the US women’s Olympic team, also went to Warroad.

– Idolized Jeremy Roenick, who passed him a puck when Oshie was in a roller hockey skills competition as a 14-year-old. Roenick was among those to tweet congratulations to Oshie after the shootout. So did President Obama.

– Played at the University of North Dakota with Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews before being selected 24th overall by the Blues in the 2005 NHL Draft.

– Was voted to have the 2008-09 Goal of the Year for this little 1-on-4 doozy.

– Name-checked in a song by the New Jersey punk band The Bouncing Souls titled “Badass.”

– His girlfriend, Lauren Cosgrove, is expecting the couple’s first child in April, so she did not travel to Sochi.

https://twitter.com/laurencosgrove3/status/422801421432397824/

– Was considered a “bubble” player during the selection process who got the nod for a roster spot in part because of his acumen in the shootout. “Glad I could do something that could get me on the team,” Oshie told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch before the start of the tournament. “A little pressure going over there if I get called. But that’s one of my jobs on the team.”

– Celebrated the biggest moment of his career with an elaborate meal of … a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

– His Wikipedia page got some creative edits on Saturday. But don’t tell Oshie he’s an American hero. He told reporters: “The real American heroes are wearing camo. That’s not me.”