The NHL closed the door on USA Hockey's next generation of stars - and the league's players from every other nation, for that matter - from playing on the worldwide stage by abruptly announcing it wouldn't compete at the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea.
Some players have pondered defying the league and going anyway, including Washington Capitals superstar forward Alex Ovechkin, who said he plans to play no matter what.
"Because it's my country".
Darryl Sittler says he understands the risk National Hockey League owners take to send players to the Olympics, but adds that it's worth it for the experience it gives them. It's the biggest opportunity in your life to play in the Olympic Games. "So, I don't know, if somebody going to tell me, 'Don't go, ' I don't care, I just go".
The NHL's decision not to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics prevents some of the sport's best talent from ever getting a shot at a gold medal - or the chance to represent their country on the ice, former Toronto Maple Leafs star Darryl Sittler says.
"Disappointing news, @NHL won't be part of the Olympics 2018".
FILE - In this March 3, 2017, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby prepares for a face-off in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Pittsburgh. "The IOC feels very sorry for the athletes", an IOC statement read. The NHL may believe it is penalizing the International Olympic Committee or the players, or both, for not giving the owners some meaningful concessions in order to induce them to agree to go to Pyeongchang.
The NHL is not going to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
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Presidents have maintained that their commander-in-chief power under the Constitution gives them the right to do so. Absent those criteria, the president has no authority to act without congressional authorization.
When that didn't happen in recent weeks the league decided to formally make the announcement that it would not participate in the South Korea Games, making good on a promise to resolve the matter prior to the start of the NHL playoffs which begin April 13.
With both the 2018 and the 2022 Winter Games in Asia and the National Hockey League making efforts to tap into that region's lucrative market, the logic behind the decision was lost on Swedish goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who plays for the New York Rangers. But, general unhappiness is starting to filter in throughout the league as players speak to reporters after morning skate.
That wasn't an issue for the Vancouver Games in 2010, but discussions intensified prior to the Sochi Games in 2014.
"If you're an athlete, you want to be a part of the Olympic Games", Koivu said.
The NHL's decision not to release players for next year's Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea comes as a surprise to some of the Canadian players at the women's world hockey championship.
"It's a tough position as a player", said Duncan Keith, who has won two gold medals with Canada. And yeah, it's true, it takes a long time, middle of the season. The NHL can still change their minds. "I mean, especially for a country like Germany, it's not an everyday thing where we get to go to the Olympics".
"It's going to do more damage to this sport than people realize, and whoever made that decision obviously doesn't know what they are doing", Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson said.
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