Chasing the True Team Canada

[DMBcrew36]

Vancouver, British Columbia -- The Canadian Olympic team operates under a strict and simple class system. At ground level are the skiers, the curlers, the skaters, the snowboarders, the lugers, the bobsledders and anyone else who may happen to win a medal before Feb. 28.
Above them is the real and true Team Canada, the one that has brought forth some of this country's greatest contributions to the world—things like rubber pucks, goalie masks, toothless grins and the mullet. We're talking, of course, about hockey.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704804204575069603186747546.html


It kindof reiterates what I heard on TV - that Sidney Crosby and the men's hockey team are being stalked by other Canadian athletes. Crosby can't even go out in the Olympic village.

[northernbillfan]

I heard a few athletes saying they'd love to meet Crosby.

However, when it's athletes meeting athletes, I think the "stalker" level is lower. They share a common bond of being their to represent their country.

[Ebenezer]

Personally, since they let the pros in to play hockey the hockey event means nothing to me. I'll be happy if the US wins but I'd rather see the best amateurs go at it. That is what made 1980 so special...all of the victories (regardless which country) since the infusion of pros have been meaningless, imo.

[RockStar36]

Personally, since they let the pros in to play hockey the hockey event means nothing to me. I'll be happy if the US wins but I'd rather see the best amateurs go at it. That is what made 1980 so special...all of the victories (regardless which country) since the infusion of pros have been meaningless, imo.

Shouldn't the Olympics be about the world's best athletes performs on the biggest stage?

[Ebenezer]

Shouldn't the Olympics be about the world's best amateur athletes performs on the biggest stage?

corrected.

[DMBcrew36]

Personally, since they let the pros in to play hockey the hockey event means nothing to me. I'll be happy if the US wins but I'd rather see the best amateurs go at it. That is what made 1980 so special...all of the victories (regardless which country) since the infusion of pros have been meaningless, imo.

That's what World Juniors are for.

I say let the best of the best go at it. There are 6 powerhouse teams - Canada, Russia, Sweden, USA, Czech, and Finland. The talent wouldn't be there if 'pros' weren't allowed to play. And really, there have always been pros playing in the Olympics. Just because there weren't NHLers previously, doesn't mean there weren't pros.

Anyone who appreciates great hockey enjoys watching these games right now.

[RockStar36]

corrected.

So you're telling me every other Olympic event is strictly between amateurs?

[Ebenezer]

So you're telling me every other Olympic event is strictly between amateurs?


let's not even start...I know that the other athletes get funds, sponsers, blah, blah, blah...but there is no professional Luge league that pays them.

[DMBcrew36]

let's not even start...I know that the other athletes get funds, sponsers, blah, blah, blah...but there is no professional Luge league that pays them.

You and Cleve apparently don't appreciate hockey played at the highest level possible. You guys are too busy whining about things that have nothing to do with the actual hockey being played.

[Ebenezer]

You and Cleve apparently don't appreciate hockey played at the highest level possible. You guys are too busy whining about things that have nothing to do with the actual hockey being played.


Have all the World Cups of Hockey and International Championships (held in May) that you want. I think I am old enough to appreciate good hockey. Are you saying that Olympic hockey between amateurs would suck? I suggest you watch tape of the 1980 games.

[RockStar36]

let's not even start...I know that the other athletes get funds, sponsers, blah, blah, blah...but there is no professional Luge league that pays them.

Money is money.

Ryan Miller gets paid by the Sabres.

Shaun White is sponsored by Burton Snowboards, AC Retro, as well as Oakley, Birdhouse, Park City Resort, Target, Red Bull, Adio, and HP. (Thanks Wikipedia).

White also has his own video game.

What exactly is the difference here? Once you're getting money to be an athlete, I would consider them professionals.

[Michael82]

corrected.

:rofl: Most of the athletes that participate are professionals and a bunch of them make at least $1 million per year.

http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/09/top-earning-winter-olympic-athletes-business-sports-top-olympians_slide.html

[Michael82]

I found one more thing for you...


As of 2004, the only sport in which no professionals compete is boxing (http://www.billszone.com/wiki/Boxing), although even this requires a definition of amateurism based on fight rules rather than on payment, as some boxers receive cash prizes from their National Olympic Committees.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games

[The Spaz]

Correct me if I am wrong but I think a lot of this started with Olympic Basketball when European players in the NBA were being used by other countries in the Olympics. Hence why we started the "Dream Team". I'm sure there is more to this but this was one reason.

[DraftBoy]

let's not even start...I know that the other athletes get funds, sponsers, blah, blah, blah...but there is no professional Luge league that pays them.

Not exactly but they do go on tour like the PGA Tour. Then they have the world cups annually. So while there may not be an NHL style league there is some kind loose organization.

[BuffaloRanger]

Personally, since they let the pros in to play hockey the hockey event means nothing to me. I'll be happy if the US wins but I'd rather see the best amateurs go at it. That is what made 1980 so special...all of the victories (regardless which country) since the infusion of pros have been meaningless, imo.


What is your definition of amateurs? By 19 the best players are already playing for money in the NHL, KHL, or minor leagues somewhere in the world.

That leaves college players. That also leaves the US the only country that could field a team of college players. Because everywhere else players of that age and talent are playing for money.

1980 was special, but those Russians were in their 30s. You couldn't have that today. They were professionals by definition since playing hockey was their job, though technically they were soldiers for teh Red Army.

Do you realize that from 1964 to 1992 (8 winter olympics) the Soviets won 7 of 8 hockey gold medals. looking back at it were those amateur days really all that great?

[DMBcrew36]

What is your definition of amateurs? By 19 the best players are already playing for money in the NHL, KHL, or minor leagues somewhere in the world.

That leaves college players. That also leaves the US the only country that could field a team of college players. Because everywhere else players of that age and talent are playing for money.

1980 was special, but those Russians were in their 30s. You couldn't have that today. They were professionals by definition since playing hockey was their job, though technically they were soldiers for teh Red Army.

Do you realize that from 1964 to 1992 (8 winter olympics) the Soviets won 7 of 8 hockey gold medals. looking back at it were those amateur days really all that great?

Those Soviet teams are pro-teams too. Those players were bred and groomed into hockey. All they did was play hockey and essentially were all pro-players.

[LtFinFan66]

Personally, since they let the pros in to play hockey the hockey event means nothing to me. I'll be happy if the US wins but I'd rather see the best amateurs go at it. That is what made 1980 so special...all of the victories (regardless which country) since the infusion of pros have been meaningless, imo.agreed. If I wanted to watch the NHL guys play...I would watch the NHL

[LtFinFan66]

Money is money.

Ryan Miller gets paid by the Sabres.

Shaun White is sponsored by Burton Snowboards, AC Retro, as well as Oakley, Birdhouse, Park City Resort, Target, Red Bull, Adio, and HP. (Thanks Wikipedia).

White also has his own video game.

What exactly is the difference here? Once you're getting money to be an athlete, I would consider them professionals.well they could not be getting that $$ if the rules hadn't been changed. It's not like they were getting paid before they started allowing pros to play

[LtFinFan66]

You and Cleve apparently don't appreciate hockey played at the highest level possible. You guys are too busy whining about things that have nothing to do with the actual hockey being played.it's called the NHL

[RockStar36]

it's called the NHL

All you had to do was watch one game yesterday to realize this isn't the same as the NHL.

1980 was great, but you guys need to stop living in the past. Professionals compete in the Olympics. Get over it.

[LtFinFan66]

All you had to do was watch one game yesterday to realize this isn't the same as the NHL.

1980 was great, but you guys need to stop living in the past. Professionals compete in the Olympics. Get over it.I am over it but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it. Funny as it is though having a Bills fan tell me to get over something and move on :rofl:

[RockStar36]

I am over it but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it. Funny as it is though having a Bills fan tell me to get over something and move on :rofl:

What do I have to get over? Or am I just getting lumped in with others?

[LtFinFan66]

Well....the Music City Miracle for one. You may be getting lumped and if you are...suck it up sir

[DMBcrew36]

it's called the NHL

Says the hoser from NASCAR, Florida, trying to tell someone who grew up in Ontario and Buffalo what hockey and the NHL is. What a joke.

No - the the NHL isn't the highest level. Take the best players every each NHL team and that's what the Olympics constitutes.

[LtFinFan66]

Says the hoser from NASCAR, Florida, trying to tell someone who grew up in Ontario and Buffalo what hockey and the NHL is. What a joke.

No - the the NHL isn't the highest level. Take the best players every each NHL team and that's what the Olympics constitutes.I am from Ohio btw. and don't watch NASCAR. Good try though

and feel free to remove the name you called me there. thanks


so the NHL all-star game then

[RockStar36]

This is a ridiculous argument.

Don't agree? Then go watch Miracle on DVD.

Professionals are in the Olympics now for almost EVERY sport, so stop bagging on hockey and enjoy it. If you like hockey, you're enjoying these games a ton.

And yes Lt, you're lumping me in. I'm over it. They lost.

[LtFinFan66]

This is a ridiculous argument.

Don't agree? Then go watch Miracle on DVD.

Professionals are in the Olympics now for almost EVERY sport, so stop bagging on hockey and enjoy it. If you like hockey, you're enjoying these games a ton.

And yes Lt, you're lumping me in. I'm over it. They lost.show me where I bagged on hockey exactly? I am for no pros regardless of sport. I will live with it though since I doubt it ever goes back


and please clarify what is a ridiculous argument?

[RockStar36]

show me where I bagged on hockey exactly? I am for no pros regardless of sport. I will live with it though since I doubt it ever goes back


and please clarify what is a ridiculous argument?

The ridiculous argument was started earlier in this thread when it turned into an amateurs/pros argument, just like another thread DMB created.

Wait till the NHL tries to prohibit their players from playing in the Olympics and alienates a large portion of their talent base. That is going to be awesome.

[DMBcrew36]

If you like hockey, you're enjoying these games a ton.

That's what it comes down to. If you like hockey played at its highest level, then you enjoy and embrace Olympic hockey as its played today. It isn't the All-star game - which is more of a circus. If you enjoy hockey played at its highest level, you enjoy the Olympics. If all you want to do is criticize and remark at commercialism and what players are paid outside of the games, then you don't actually care about the play itself. Some people don't appreciate hockey played at it's highest level, apparently - and those people can f*** off away from my thread and any other Olympic hockey thread.

[DMBcrew36]

The ridiculous argument was started earlier in this thread when it turned into an amateurs/pros argument, just like another thread DMB created.

Wait till the NHL tries to prohibit their players from playing in the Olympics and alienates a large portion of their talent base. That is going to be awesome.

Yep - Ovechkin and other players have stated that they will play in the 2014 games, regardless of how the NHL feels. It's a stupid argument - whether NHL players should be allowed to participate or not. It's good for the NHL's publicity and it's a terrible battle for the NHL if they try to battle the players over it.

But again, if you don't like NHL players participating, then you don't like hockey played at its highest level and thus are not a real fan of hockey.

[psubills62]

At this point even college athletes are getting paid, or at least some form of compensation (cf Reggie Bush).

[Ebenezer]

That's what it comes down to. If you like hockey played at its highest level, then you enjoy and embrace Olympic hockey as its played today. It isn't the All-star game - which is more of a circus. If you enjoy hockey played at its highest level, you enjoy the Olympics. If all you want to do is criticize and remark at commercialism and what players are paid outside of the games, then you don't actually care about the play itself. Some people don't appreciate hockey played at it's highest level, apparently - and those people can f*** off away from my thread and any other Olympic hockey thread.
That 8-0 squeaker over Norway must have taken all of Canada's talent to overcome. Highest level? Really?

[LtFinFan66]

At this point even college athletes are getting paid, or at least some form of compensation (cf Reggie Bush).A couple examples doesn't lend itself to painting college athletics with such a broad brush. Yeah...they get a college education

[LtFinFan66]

The ridiculous argument was started earlier in this thread when it turned into an amateurs/pros argument, just like another thread DMB created.

Wait till the NHL tries to prohibit their players from playing in the Olympics and alienates a large portion of their talent base. That is going to be awesome.it's only a stupid argument because I don't agree with you. I am not saying that your argument is stupid. I simply don't agree with you. That's what makes the world go round. Difference of opinion

[DMBcrew36]

That 8-0 squeaker over Norway must have taken all of Canada's talent to overcome. Highest level? Really?

Looks like I have to repeat myself - the top 6 are disgusting - Canada, Russia, Sweden, USA, Finland and Czech. The games played yesterday and today are just warmups, but they're still good. The goal from Crosby to Nash to Iginla was ****ing sick. Most of their goals were pretty solid. It's awesome to watch the best players in the world, playing together, dominating. It doesn't always matter if the games are close - if one team is making nasty plays and dominating, who cares? It's about skill and Canada showed a ton of it.

[RockStar36]

it's only a stupid argument because I don't agree with you. I am not saying that your argument is stupid. I simply don't agree with you. That's what makes the world go round. Difference of opinion

It's a stupid argument, IMO, because this isn't the first year NHL players have played in the Olympics. People are acting like this is a new thing and they are outraged.

[RockStar36]

That 8-0 squeaker over Norway must have taken all of Canada's talent to overcome. Highest level? Really?

So the NFL doesn't showcase the highest level of football talent because New England blows out Buffalo?

[Ebenezer]

So the NFL doesn't showcase the highest level of football talent because New England blows out Buffalo?
um...no...they don't. Not like this. The whole idea of pros at the olympics is to pimp the NHL...the second a Crosby or Melkin or Brodeur got hurt the NHL would be over this idea quick.

[RockStar36]

um...no...they don't. Not like this. The whole idea of pros at the olympics is to pimp the NHL...the second a Crosby or Melkin or Brodeur got hurt the NHL would be over this idea quick.

Doubt it.

Hasek got hurt last time.

[LtFinFan66]

It's a stupid argument, IMO, because this isn't the first year NHL players have played in the Olympics. People are acting like this is a new thing and they are outraged.I am not outraged. Just don't agree with it