DES MOINES, Iowa — Just six months after the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics, the games are back. The 2022 Winter Olympics kick off in Beijing this week, with the opening ceremony on Friday, Feb. 4.
The Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, Feb. 4. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. local time in China, which is 6:30 a.m. ET or 5:30 a.m. CT.
You will once again be able to watch the Opening Ceremony live and in primetime.
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Sam Hentges, hockey (USA, No. 12)
Sam Hentges is originally from New Brighton, Minnesota but played for the Des Moines Buccaneers during the 2017-18 season. During that time, Hentges racked up four goals and eight assists in 16 games.
The 22-year-old forward was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2018 before playing collegiate hockey at St. Cloud State University.
Remember, the NHL is not sending its players to the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
Schedule
- Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. China
- Friday, Feb. 11 at 10:10 p.m. CT: USA vs. Canada
- Sunday, Feb. 13 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. Germany
Steven Kampfer, hockey (USA, No. 20)
Steven Kampfer, a Michigan native, played for the Iowa Wild during the 2013-14 season, tallying six goals and 20 assists in 69 games. He also played for the Sioux City Muskateers from 2004-2006 and was named the Muskateers' top rookie his first year.
He was part of the Boston Bruins organization for three seasons (2018-21).
Kampfer played on various NHL teams from 2010-21 before going to the Russian Kontinental Hockey League for the 2021-22 season.
Schedule
- Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. China
- Friday, Feb. 11 at 10:10 p.m. CT: USA vs. Canada
- Sunday, Feb. 13 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. Germany
Timothy LeDuc, figure skating (USA)
Cedar Rapids native Timothy LeDuc will be the first openly nonbinary U.S. athlete at the Winter Games when they step onto the ice.
The 31-year-old won their second national title last month in Nashville with partner Ashley Cain-Gribble, giving them a spot in their first Olympics.
LeDuc was "enamored" by figure skating after watching the 2002 Olympics, and took a school field trip to an ice rink a few weeks later where they fell in love with the movement, according to their website. Now, 20 years later, LeDuc is not only competing on the world stage, but also making history.
- Pairs short program: Friday, Feb. 18 at 4:30 a.m. CT (Official start list not yet available)
- Pairs free skate: Saturday, Feb. 19 at 5 a.m. CT
Marc McLaughlin, hockey (USA, No. 25)
Marc McLaughlin is originally from Massachusetts but played for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders from 2016-2018. He tallied 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 81 games and was team captain his second season.
McLaughlin currently skates for Boston College where he is a captain and leads the team with 18 goals.
Schedule
- Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. China
- Friday, Feb. 11 at 10:10 p.m. CT: USA vs. Canada
- Sunday, Feb. 13 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. Germany
Kevin McKee, sled hockey (USA)
Kevin McKee is originally from Davenport and is a graduate of North Scott High School. He has won two Paralympic gold medals (2014, 2018) and four world championships (2021, 2019, 2015, 2012).
McKee was born with a congenital spine disorder called caudal regression syndrome and started playing sled hockey in 2000, according to Team USA.
Schedule
- Friday, March 4 at 11:05 p.m. CT: USA vs. Canada
- Saturday, March 5 at 11:05 p.m.: USA vs. South Korea
- Monday, March 7 at 7:35 p.m. CT: USA vs. Russia Paralympic Committee
Andy Miele, hockey (USA, No. 51)
Andy Miele will serve as Team USA's captain for the games. He is originally from Michigan but played with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders during the 2005-06 season and part of the 2006-07 season. He totaled 17 goals and 25 assists in 65 games with the Roughriders.
Miele played three seasons in the NHL for the Phoenix Coyotes and has spent the past two seasons skating in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League.
Schedule
- Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. China
- Friday, Feb. 11 at 10:10 p.m. CT: USA vs. Canada
- Sunday, Feb. 13 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. Germany
Nathan Smith, hockey (USA, No. 13)
Nathan Smith is originally from Florida but played for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders from 2017-2019. In the 2018-19 season, he led the team with 53 points (18 goals, 35 assists) in 59 games.
Smith was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 2018 before playing collegiately at Minnesota State University. In the 2021-22 season he led the NCAA with 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) in 28 games through Jan. 30.
Schedule
- Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. China
- Friday, Feb. 11 at 10:10 p.m. CT: USA vs. Canada
- Sunday, Feb. 13 at 7:10 a.m. CT: USA vs. Germany
Eric Staal, hockey (Canada)
With the NHL refusing to send players to the 2022 games, Eric Staal was the perfect pick for team Canada. Staal played in the league for 17 seasons, but did not sign with a team for the 2021-2022 season. He joined the Iowa Wild in January to get back on the ice ahead of the Olympics.
"It's the best to play a game and compete. I've done it my whole life and I still have that itch and desire to do it now," Staal said after his first game with the Wild.
He even scored the game-winning goal on Jan. 15.
Staal is looking for his second medal at the 2022 games after winning gold in 2010.
At 37, he is the oldest player on team Canada. He is also the team's captain.
Schedule
Preliminary round:
- Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:10 a.m. CT: Canada vs. Germany
- Friday, Feb. 11 at 10:10 p.m. CT: Canada vs. USA
- Sunday, Feb. 13 at 7:10 a.m. CT: China vs. Canada
TEGNA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Watch more Winter Olympics videos on YouTube