An unlikely candidate for Team USA has seemingly played his way into the conversation

The competition will be stiff for Team USA's 2022 Men's Olympic hockey roster, and one unlikely candidate heading into this season has reportedly put himself on the radar, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

On Saturday, Fox had reported that Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan has been keeping a close eye on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell, who is now a possibility in goal for the 2022 Men's Olympic team.

While Jets goaltender and former Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck is almost certainly coming in as the odds on favorite to be team USA's starting goaltender in Beijing, Campbell is certainly playing his way into the conversation for 1 of the 2 remaining goaltender spots for his country, but he will have to compete with Ducks goaltender John Gibson and Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko.

Through 15 appearances with the Leafs this season, Campbell is the owner of a stellar 10-3-1 record. He leads all NHL goaltenders in wins and his 1.63 GAA and .944 SV% leads the league in both categories among goalies with 10 or more starts.

The 29-year-old is a former 1st round draft pick, 11th overall back in 2010, and despite a slow start to his NHL career and his status as a career backup goalie coming into this season, he has certainly quieted his critics with his sensational play last season and early on in 2021-22.

The main question mark with Campbell has been his inability to remain healthy for long stretches, so if selected, both team USA and the Maple Leafs will run the risk of a Campbell injury impacting the team - moreso in Toronto than in Beijing.

Nevertheless, I'm certain that Campbell would view it as a huge honour to even be in the conversation to be able to represent his country at an Olympic Games.

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