Phil Kessel offered a clarification Friday on his World Cup of Hockey tweet seen by nearly everyone in the hockey world.
It did not, however, appear to be an apology, at least one geared toward the USA Hockey management group that inexplicably left him off this roster.
It was simply an acknowledgement that Kessel played with, and likes, much of Team USA. That it isn't easy to be a hockey player in that situation, and he wasn't criticizing them.
"Obviously I meant no disrespect to any of the players," Kessel said Friday as the Penguins opened training camp at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. "I have a ton of respect for all of those guys there. I've played with a lot of those guys. They're great players and great guys. I know this game's hard. It's not an easy one to play."
Following a 4-2 loss to Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey, one that effectively ended the Americans' tournament in the preliminary round, Kessel typed the following on Twitter: "Just sitting around the house tonight w my dog. Felt like I should be doing something important, but couldn't put my finger on it."
The tweet drew the ire of many players on Team USA.
Kessel was left off Team USA's roster for the World Cup, as the Americans placed an emphasis on toughness and grit rather than speed and skill. Tampa Bay's Tyler Johnson and Buffalo's Kyle Okposo were similarly passed over, in addition to St. Louis defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, who 12 hours earlier was in Toronto, on the bench as one of John Tortorella's assistant coaches for Team USA's final 4-3 loss to the Czech Republic, did not wish to comment on Kessel's tweet.
He did, however, express frustration at Team USA's 0-3 showing, which has led many to question the direction of USA Hockey.
"I really don't have a comment on the circumstance surrounding that whole experience or the whole event," Sullivan said. "What I can comment on is that we were disappointed with the results and the performance of our team. We're all responsible for that."
