Talented Torontonian Ho-Sang an 'X Factor' for men's hockey team in Beijing

Team Canada forward Josh Ho-Sang lacks the draft pedigree of Owen Power (first overall) or Mason McTavish (third overall). He's appeared in just 53 NHL games compared to captain Eric Staal (1,293) and David Desharnais (524).

But there's no denying Ho-Sang is an NHL-calibre talent. On good nights, the puck appears glued to his stick as he dances up the ice and embarrasses defenders who try to break up the play.

He has speed. He's a slick passer. He's a regular on the highlight reels. And he's arguably the Canadian men's hockey player with the most to gain from a stellar showing at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.

The 26-year-old Toronto product is expected to play on the first line with McTavish and Staal Thursday when Canada opens the preliminary-round against Germany.

"I'm trying everything in my power to stay present and really embrace every single day with this group and this staff," said Ho-Sang, who has 11 goals and 20 points this season with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. "Because this is a moment that is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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"And it's fleeting. It goes by as quickly as it comes, and I don't want to blink."

The Olympic opportunity, for Ho-Sang, will likely include a spot on the No. 1 power-play unit for a Canadian side that struggled to score at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

"He's a guy that obviously has an incredible amount of skill and somebody that can get around the ice," Team Canada general manager Shane Doan said. "When you watch him move and you watch him handle the puck and do the things he can do, there's not a lot of people in the world that can do that."

THIS IS INSANE