Justin Abdelkader is taking advantage of the NHL's decision not to send its players to Beijing.
The former Detroit Red Wings forward was released from his stint with the Grand Rapids Griffins to serve as an alternate for Team USA at the Olympics.
Abdelkader, who turns 35 in February, signed a professional tryout contract with Detroit's AHL team last week.
"I still have the drive and the passion to play and love the game," he said. "I’m going to do it as long as I am capable."
The NHL pulled out of the Olympics in December because the league needed the three-week break in February to reschedule the more than 100 games postponed as COVID-19 tore through the league around Christmas.