NHL places US young stars’ Olympic aspirations on hold
IOC feels very sorry for the athletes; South Korean Olympic organizers still hopeful
Even after the IIHF had agreed to pay for players’ travel and insurance costs when the IOC refused, the NHL had been looking for more concessions that were believed to include marketing opportunities tied to the Games.
The IOC said Tuesday it “feels very sorry for the athletes,” but could not give the NHL special favors.
“The IOC, which distributes 90 percent of its revenue for the development of sport in the world, obviously cannot treat a national commercial league better than not-for-profit international sports federations which are developing sport globally,” the Olympic body said in a statement.
The league wanted the matter resolved before the playoffs begin April 12.
“The league’s efforts to blame others for its decision is as unfortunate as the decision itself,” the NHLPA said. “NHL players are patriotic and they do not take this lightly. A decent respect for the opinions of the players matters. This is the NHL’s decision, and its alone.”
Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock, who led Canada to consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014, said, “I’m just going to tell you I’m disappointed.” Players blasted the decision. “It’s beyond disappointing,” said Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, who won a gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Games. “It was one of the best experiences of my life and catapulted my career to the next level and things have been going pretty well since then.”
Lundqvist, the New York Rangers goalie, turned to Twitter.
“A huge opportunity to market the game at the big- gest stage is wasted,” tweeted Lundqvist, who won the 2006 Olympic gold medal with Sweden. “But most of all, disappointing for all the players that can’t be part of the most special adventure in sports.”
Former NHL forward Brandon Prust, who is now playing in Germany, tweeted: “Way to ruin the sport of hockey even more Gary #Olympics.”
Nancy Park, a spokeswoman for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics organizing committee, held out hope the NHL might change course by saying there’s still time for “meaningful discussions.”
The NHL has not ruled out participating in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, though the IIHF and IOC had indicated that could be conditional on the NHL going to South Korea. For now, the league is making its 201718 schedule without a break for the Olympics.