TEAM USA: Who is Ryan Zapolski?

Tending goal for Team USA's men's ice hockey team will be Pennsylvania native Ryan Zapolski.

Ryan grew up playing in Erie at Cathedral Prep, then went to Mercyhurst University.

Channel 11 traveled to Erie to learn more about him ahead of the Games and talked to Ryan's father about how much it means to compete in the Olympics.

"You could play for a Stanley Cup or that kind of thing, but playing for your country to win a gold medal, or even have a chance to, the number of people that get to do that is so infinitely small, that it gives you goose bumps and chills,” he said.

Olympic Experience: 2018 U.S. Olympic Team

Personal: Son of Raymond and Susan Zapolski...Has three siblings, Brandon, Chris and Lindsay...Married to Elizabeth...Led AHA goaltenders in winning percentage (.750) during the 2008-09 season with Mercyhurst...Named ECHL's Rookie of the Year, Goaltender of the Year and the league's Most Valuable Player in the 2012-13 season with the South Carolina Stingrays...Currently leads the KHL in wins (16-1), save percentage (.956), goals-against average (1.11) and shutouts (five)...Hobbies include golfing and reading.

Cox Media Group