IIHF VP: NHL Olympians doubtful

[Madferret]

IIHF VP: NHL Olympians doubtful
TSN.ca Staff
4/12/2005

The vice president of the International Ice Hockey Federation says we likely won't see NHL players at the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy next February. Walter Bush, chairman of USA Hockey and a former president of the Minnesota North Stars, says while nothing has been decided, he doubts NHL'ers will play in the Olympics in 2006.

"The (NHL) owners aren't going to want to give up two weeks after they gave up that whole year, and those are pretty prime dates," Bush tells the Pioneer Press. "And it's going to be a strong Olympics because there are a lot of foreigners who I don't think are coming back to play in the NHL. I think they're going to stay over there and play either for Czechoslovakia or Russia or Sweden or Germany."

IIHF president Rene Fasel said back in January that they will leave the door open as long as possible to allow NHL'ers to play in the Olympics. Hockey federations must submit a roster of prospective Olympic players to their countries' Olympic committees by January, 2006. Fasel pointed out that officially, players do not need to registered until two hours before their country plays the first game at the Games. However, he admits it's unrealistic to expect teams to wait that long before naming their final roster.

Commissioner Gary Bettman has hinted in the past that he does not see the league taking an extended Olympic break, especially after losing the 2004-05 season to a lockout. NHL players have competed at the past two Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002 and Nagano, Japan in 1998.


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[bluemeanie]

It still wouldn't surprise me if NHLers end up playing in the Olympics. Everyone's bitter and jumpy right now. If the CBA is resolved this summer as expected, and next season is saved - along with the influence of guys like Gretzky, we'll see our boys heading over seas to eat spaghetti before you can say 'Ciao Pizan....'


EDIT: Dev, your Av is pretty creepy.... Have you developed a shoe fetish or something?

[lapniappe]

good, i'm glad. LOL i think it's kind of obvious how I feel on this issue. However for those who DO like seeing NHL players there - i do feel (sort of, kinda, slightly), bummed for you ya'll.

[Iced Tea]

As long as NHL players are at the 2010 Vancouver/Whistle Olympics, I'm happy. :D

[slapshot™]

Since they are in the middle of hammering out a new CBA what are the chances of including the time off for the players to go to events like the Olympics? It's a concession the owners should allow.

The season is too long as it stands. 2 weeks less isn't altogether unreasonable. On the plus side it is good exposure for the game on an international scale. Lord only knows the NHL could use some good exposure!

[a4l]

good, i'm glad. LOL i think it's kind of obvious how I feel on this issue. However for those who DO like seeing NHL players there - i do feel (sort of, kinda, slightly), bummed for you ya'll.

I have to agree with you there. I would rather see up and coming players in the olympics than a bunch of professionals. I think the olympic games were spoiled when it was decided that the pros could play. The atmosphere of the games changed completely.

[KB in Kelowna]

Seems to me that the NHL for various reasons has fallen off the sports radar especially in the USA. The Olympics (off which I am not a big fan-but thats another thread) are the premier sports and entertainment event in the world. The NHL needs to be present. The US announcers always look for a an Amercian angle to a story so if they are talking about Team Sweden's Peter Foresberg of the Colorado Avalanche, or Team USA David Legwand of the Nashville Predators it will help market the game and the League.

Additionally the 82 game schedule is too long! They need to cut back, a break for the Olympics would give them the opportunity. But of course the marketing and management geniuses who run the NHL probably don't see that, or its the NHLPA fault anyways.