NHL Pulling Players From Winter Olympics
NHL and NHLPA have agreed to not send NHL players to the Olympics. This is terrible news for us as we're likely to lose several players to the non-professional Olympic teams. They'd miss the exhibition against the U18 team, a series against MSU, and a series against OSU. In theory could be back with the team but without practice time for a road series against Notre Dame.
Last I saw five guys are likely to get invites: Power and Johnson to Team Canada and Beniers, Bordeleau, and Brisson to Team USA.
December 21st, 2021 at 1:42 PM ^
Does this make the Wolverines the gold medal favorite?
December 21st, 2021 at 1:45 PM ^
Strauss Mann is the likely US goalie, so kinda?
December 21st, 2021 at 3:08 PM ^
Gold and Silver
December 21st, 2021 at 1:56 PM ^
As bummed as I am that they aren't going it's absolutely the best decision. With the threat of Covid in the Olympic Village and possibility of being stuck in China for 5 weeks while the NHL season is in it's playoff push is way too much to risk.
December 21st, 2021 at 1:59 PM ^
I’d think that makes it a pretty big risk for Michigans season too
December 21st, 2021 at 2:02 PM ^
Without a doubt it does. If anyone going tests positive, they'd conceivably miss the entire Big Ten Tournament but be back and available, in what type of playing shape tho, for the Frozen Four.
* This is unless China changes its quarantine orders for those who test positive at the games, which I don't see them doing.
December 21st, 2021 at 2:33 PM ^
that should be last on the list of why we don't send people over there.
there has ALWAYS been the risk of virus/disease when you import a bunch of people into new environments.
the Genocide China continues to commit daily is why we shouldn't be senging athletes over there but our government and the networks have too much money invested to stand up to china.
disgusting
December 21st, 2021 at 2:06 PM ^
Last I saw five guys are likely to get invites: Power and Johnson to Team Canada and Beniers, Bordeleau, and Brisson to Team USA.
If they're invitees, they could turn down the invitation—it's not like their professional prospects hinge on whether they compete in the Olympics or not.
December 21st, 2021 at 2:09 PM ^
Yes, but I don't think many people would turn down the invite.
December 21st, 2021 at 2:10 PM ^
Going to the Olympics and playing for your country is such a huge honor, I'm not sure how many would turn it down.
December 21st, 2021 at 2:12 PM ^
It seems like our NCAA tournament hopes are relatively safe (/knock), so I personally would rather have some wolverines compete in the olympics and perhaps win gold and silver than have them here for some regular season meetups. Give the other players a chance to step up and hope they provide good depth in the tournament!
I'm aware they will also miss valuable practice and team connection time, but personally I think it'd be awesome for them to be in the olympics!
December 21st, 2021 at 2:30 PM ^
not sure how we are sending ANY athletes to the olympics in China, someone needs to stand against the atrocities they continue to commit.
December 21st, 2021 at 2:45 PM ^
The problem with Olympic boycotts is that the athletes and fans suffer way more than the host country. Sure, there may be some loss of prestige for the host, but especially for huge countries like China I'm sure it's more than made up for by the piles of medals they'll win due to the decreased competition. It's the athletes (and to a lesser extent the fans) of the boycotting countries that truly lose out.
I don't mean to minimize the atrocities committed by the boycotted countries, but it's got to be soul crushing to train your whole life for this one moment (for many athletes, they only have a realistic shot at one Olympic cycle), only to have it ripped away from you because your country wants to make a political stand. I give props to the athletes that decide to "cross the picket line" and compete anyway as independents, because I'd seriously consider doing the same if I were in their position...
December 21st, 2021 at 3:07 PM ^
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