Do NHL players belong in the Olympics?

Question

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

It's amazing how many people misunderstood your question. To those people: hockey is in the olympics. The question was whether NHL professionals should be allowed to participate or if it should be a competition for amateurs.

To answer your question: No. I think that the whole point of the olympics has always been a contest between amateurs. Let the professionals display there prowess on television as they do every day and leave the olympic competition to the up and comers.

Answer 2

I have never heard of the olympics being for amateur athletes only, but from an NHL stand point, I think they should definately allow player to compete in them. Sure there are problems with this, especially the risk of injury, but Bettmans big agenda right now is to spread the sport in the US. The olympics would be a very good way to do that. People who dont normally watch hockey will be more inclined to watch the olympics since its such a special event, especially with "patriotsim" being as trendy as it is right now. Also considering how many US born players have been getting drafted over the last couple years, The US might actually have a really good team at that point. I mean, Canada will always be the favorite to win it, but the US being competitive might help increase the ratings below the border.

Reguardless of all that, the Olympics in my opinion is supposed to be an event where all the nations best players go to compete against each other. There are a lot of nationalities represented in the NHL and the olympics gives those players an opportunity to play for their home countries that developed them into the great players they have become. I think Bettman should respect that and allow the players to make the decision on whether or not they participate. He probably wont though, because hes a frickin douche.

Answer 3

That's a tough question to answer.

The Olympic lost the 'amateur' ideal a long time ago. The Olympic Ice Hockey competition has had 'professional' players in it since 1948. Unfortunately, as far as the IOC was concerned, only North America had professional hockey.

Since the 1960s, every track and field athlete, and every figure skater who has competed in the Olympics is a professional, they all get paid to perform. In 1968, the monthly stipend of the US Figure Skating Association was half that of the average NHL player. The average monthly stipend for a US Track and Field athlete was almost the same as the average NHL player. But....a stipend is different than being paid to play.

Bulls*&t!

If you devote your life to doing something, and somebody pays you to do it. Great!

This is the 21st century. The only athletes competing in the Olympics are those who spend the majority of their time working to be there! Their profession is 'training to be an Olympic' athlete.

In the late 1800s, Baron Pierre de Coubertin declared that the Olympic games were for the BEST ATHLETES in the world in their chosen sport. It was another 8 years (1904 St. Louis) that they declared they were for amateurs.

The world was different then. Had there been the Golden mile, it was the Olympic athletes that would have competed. Not the average Joe Blow.

So, I believe that the Olympics are for the best athletes in their sport, which means today that the athlete is getting paid to do that sport. Each sport has it's own eligibility requirements. So, FIFA originally had an agreement that only players aged 23 or less, and who have not participated in a World Cup Finals match, are eligible to compete in the Olympics. That rule is no longer as age is now irrelevant.

Answer 4

The Olympics are for the best atheletes in the world to compete for their country. So yes, I believe they should be allowed to participate. The Soviet Union used to call their Red Army team amateurs because their players held military positions, but their only function in the military was to go through basic training and then spend the rest of their careers playing hockey. Sending NHL players gives the rest of the world an even playing field.

Answer 5

Why wouldn't we want our best players to compete in the Olympics? Other countries allow their professional hockey players to compete in the Olympics... why wouldn't we? It would only hurt ourselves if we barred NHL players from the Olympics. I think it's great to see the NHL players mixed up into different teams every 4 years and see how they compete with other teammates. NHL players should certainly be in the Olympics.

Answer 6

As long as pro's are allowed to enter the Olympics...then YES, NHLers should take part. I myself think the O's should be limited to amateurs, but until the rules are changed back then I say go with the NHL players.

Answer 7

absolutely. there is no reason why they shouldnt. who ever said no is wrong. the olympics is supposed to be for athletes who are the best of the best from any country. other countries have professional hockey leagues (the nhl is not the only profesional hockey league). only the best compete in the olympics. i dont know how i can explain it any more. countries all over the world have a friendly competition. the players train to do their best, and if they cant do their best (because the best come from around the world), then whats the point in doing it. would you really train hard but not your hardest, just so you can compete in the olympics?

Answer 8

They do, but I don't think you'll see them involved after the 2010 games in Vancouver. The NHL is already making it clear they are no longer willing to hold up the season for two weeks or risk injury to their employees (like Hasek and his "groinsh" the last time around.)

Many "amateur" athletes receive sponsorships and funding throughout their careers (notice how quickly skiiers get the brand name of their skiis up in front of the camera while being interviewed at the end of their run.) Many countries offer cash for winning medals.

There are no amateurs any more.

Answer 9

Yes, but at Sochi 2014 they said no NHL players will play in those Olympics.

Answer 10

Yes because hockey is one of the fastest momentum changing games known to man kind.. This game is fast paced and it makes the whole game exciting from start to finish and I personally think that it is better than football because football games move really slow and hockey games waste barely any part of your day because of how fast this game is.. One second you can be thinking we are going to loose the whole game but then 10 minutes later you are almost in the lead or behind by one goal..

Overall I think that hockey belongs in the Olympics because of how fast the game is and way more exciting than any sport I have ever watched..