With the 2022 Olympics about to start I figured it would be a good time to discuss whether NHL players should be allowed or not. In the past it’s been a highly debated subject and this season especially it was under high scrutiny. NHL players started participating in the Olympics back in 1998 and have been ever since with the exception of 2018 and this year.
This season the NHL had big plans to send players to the Olympics after not participating in 2018. Many players were excited for the opportunity to represent their respective countries while others were not so keen on the COVID-19 protocols that included a possibility of staying in China for up to five weeks if an athlete tested positive. These were the early rumors surrounding the protocols and things have more than likely changed since.
However, since the NHL had to pause their own season, they had to forgo their trip to the Olympics to use the three week break to reschedule their postponed games. When the NHL agreed to send players to the Olympics it was also agreed upon that they could pull out from the games if this situation arose and it unfortunately happened. There were many players relieved that they didn’t have to worry about the protocols and the potential to get hurt while not playing for their NHL team but there were also some who were extremely disappointed because it may have been the last chance they would have to play in the Games.
This year fans will get to see some of the up-and-coming talent for each respective country as well as former NHL veterans like Eric Staal who used to play for the Wild and will be suiting up for Team Canada. Also, the NHL’s number one overall draft pick Owen Power will be joining the roster for Team Canada as well for the Games.
As far as my opinion on NHL players in the Olympics, I’m torn. I love the idea of seeing my favorite players represent their countries with pride and see them playing with other players from their countries who they don’t normally get to play with. Like Sidney Crosby playing with Jonathan Toews, P.K. Subban, Steven Stamkos, and Shea Weber. A fans dream come true to see the best players form all around the league play together, similar to the All-Star Game but with a gold medal at stake.
However, as much as I love the idea, I also love the idea of seeing college and amateur players go for their dreams. I’m a huge fan of Miracle and the true story behind it, even though I wasn’t even born yet. If there’s a significant event, I wish I could go back in time and witness in person it would be the 1980 Winter Olympics or the first time Wayne Gretzky won a Stanley Cup but that’s another topic. The level of hockey that was played then was outstanding and to see how hard those players worked really showed their level of dedication.
Having a chance to witness college kids who haven’t hit the professional levels yet play in the Olympics is an exciting opportunity. These kids will want to prove their abilities and don’t have the obligations of an NHL season to go back to. They do have their college season but the Olympics are an honor and privilege. I may not know all of their names but seeing the passion these kids have to play is so cool.
So overall, I can’t say which decision is right or wrong. I can see the pros and cons to both ideas but ultimately as painful as it is to not get to see my big-name favorites play, I think I lean more towards the college players. They haven’t had the chance to play on a big stage other than the NCAA tourney if they’ve had that chance, but they’d all admit the Olympics are a totally different level.
Regardless these Olympics will prove to be some exciting hockey, the only struggle is the time change. A lot of their games are during our sleeping hours and as much as I love to stay up late, I don’t think 3-4 AM is a possibility for myself anymore. Those college days are over and the early bedtime has replaced it. I’ll try to catch as many games as possible and hopefully they’re as good as we all hope and expect them to be and is has to be said… GO USA!!!
