Slovakia goalie Samuel Hlavaj shows being an NHL player isn't needed at Olympics from AHL Iowa

In the first Olympics featuring NHL players in a dozen years, the first star of the tournament comes from the AHL. That's the goalie from Iowa playing for Slovakia, Samuel Hlavaj. And no, he hasn't even been good in the AHL this year. Hlavaj ranks 44th in save percentage in AHL action this season, at 88.4%.

Olympics-Ice Hockey-Slafkovsky and Slovakia set to light up Games again after impressive opener

By Trevor Stynes MILAN, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Juraj Slafkovsky became a teen sensation four years ago when Slovakia took bronze in the men's Olympic ice hockey and the now 21-year-old showed he means business at Milano Cortina,

Juraj Slafkovský, Slovakia’s most adored athlete, is embracing pressure at the Olympics

While on a vastly different scale, Slafkovský is like the Sidney Crosby of Slovakia, and this could be his breakout moment.