realmendontwearteal
04-25-2004, 07:53 PM
Canadian Press
4/25/2004
PRAGUE (CP) - There won't be NHL players at the 2006 Olympic Games unless there's a new collective bargaining agreement in place by next January.
That was the announcement Sunday from Rene Fasel, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
``It's quite clear from what (NHL commissioner) Gary (Bettman) has told us that if they're not playing in January they're not coming to Torino,'' Fasel told a packed news conference at Sazka Arena.
``It's important for our national federations to know whether they are playing or not, especially for the U.S. and Canada.''
The NHL's participation in the Games must be included in the next collective bargaining agreement.
The current deal expires Sept. 15 and a lengthy lockout is expected by most observers. The NHL and NHL Player's Association held talks this weekend in New York for the first time since October.
``We have always said that our first and most important priority is negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the NHLPA, and that we will not rush into any decision on the Olympics until that has been accomplished,'' NHL vice-president and chief legal officer Bill Daly said Sunday.
``While the January date is not something I remember having discussed with the IIHF, it would seem sensible, and we certainly respect the IIHF's need for some certainty.''
Fasel's reasoning is that if the NHL plays a short season next year, similar to the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season, Bettman would not want the NHL to take a 16-day break in February 2006 for his players to go to Italy.
``It makes sense if it (a lockout) is going to January it will be very difficult for him (Bettman) to shut down the league the following season,'' Fasel said. ``It makes sense.''
It was the clearest indication yet that the NHL will take a break from playing in the Olympics after sending its players to the 1998 Games in Nagano and the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.
Regardless of what happens with Turin, however, Fasel believes there will be an NHL presence at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
``If you don't come to Torino, the door is still wide open for 2010,'' Fasel said. ``We'll be in Canada and I cannot see the NHL not being there.''
Should there be no NHL players in Turin, the Olympic tournament would revert to its old ways, with European-based pros and minor-leaguers from North America representing their countries - or basically anyone not playing in the NHL.
Hockey Canada could possibly put together a national team for one year in a build-up to the Games, playing in tournaments across Europe.
Young phenom Sidney Crosby, expected to be the first overall NHL pick in 2005, could also be convinced to delay his NHL career by one year in order to play with Canada's Olympic team in 2005-06.
A young Eric Lindros played on Canada's Olympic team in 1992 and Paul Kariya did the same in 1994.
Fasel, meanwhile, gave his strongest indication yet that the 2008 men's world hockey championships would indeed be staged in Canada for the first time ever.
The IIHF congress officially votes on the winning bid here on May 8, but it's expected to be nothing more than a rubber stamp. Officially, Germany and Sweden are also bidding against Canada, which plans to host the tournament in Halifax and Quebec City.
It's believed the NHL isn't thrilled with the IIHF staging the men's tournament in the NHL's backyard, but Fasel insisted it's not an issue.
``We have a good relationship with the NHL. It won't be problem,'' Fasel said. ``We're not going to an area where there's NHL hockey. We're going to Canada for the 100-year anniversary (of the IIHF) and that's going to be a special celebration.''
Canada (Montreal and Winnipeg) was actually awarded the men's world tournament in 1970, but withdrew after disagreements over player eligibility.
The 1962 tournament was hosted by Colorado Springs, the only time it's ever been in North America.
4/25/2004
PRAGUE (CP) - There won't be NHL players at the 2006 Olympic Games unless there's a new collective bargaining agreement in place by next January.
That was the announcement Sunday from Rene Fasel, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
``It's quite clear from what (NHL commissioner) Gary (Bettman) has told us that if they're not playing in January they're not coming to Torino,'' Fasel told a packed news conference at Sazka Arena.
``It's important for our national federations to know whether they are playing or not, especially for the U.S. and Canada.''
The NHL's participation in the Games must be included in the next collective bargaining agreement.
The current deal expires Sept. 15 and a lengthy lockout is expected by most observers. The NHL and NHL Player's Association held talks this weekend in New York for the first time since October.
``We have always said that our first and most important priority is negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the NHLPA, and that we will not rush into any decision on the Olympics until that has been accomplished,'' NHL vice-president and chief legal officer Bill Daly said Sunday.
``While the January date is not something I remember having discussed with the IIHF, it would seem sensible, and we certainly respect the IIHF's need for some certainty.''
Fasel's reasoning is that if the NHL plays a short season next year, similar to the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season, Bettman would not want the NHL to take a 16-day break in February 2006 for his players to go to Italy.
``It makes sense if it (a lockout) is going to January it will be very difficult for him (Bettman) to shut down the league the following season,'' Fasel said. ``It makes sense.''
It was the clearest indication yet that the NHL will take a break from playing in the Olympics after sending its players to the 1998 Games in Nagano and the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.
Regardless of what happens with Turin, however, Fasel believes there will be an NHL presence at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
``If you don't come to Torino, the door is still wide open for 2010,'' Fasel said. ``We'll be in Canada and I cannot see the NHL not being there.''
Should there be no NHL players in Turin, the Olympic tournament would revert to its old ways, with European-based pros and minor-leaguers from North America representing their countries - or basically anyone not playing in the NHL.
Hockey Canada could possibly put together a national team for one year in a build-up to the Games, playing in tournaments across Europe.
Young phenom Sidney Crosby, expected to be the first overall NHL pick in 2005, could also be convinced to delay his NHL career by one year in order to play with Canada's Olympic team in 2005-06.
A young Eric Lindros played on Canada's Olympic team in 1992 and Paul Kariya did the same in 1994.
Fasel, meanwhile, gave his strongest indication yet that the 2008 men's world hockey championships would indeed be staged in Canada for the first time ever.
The IIHF congress officially votes on the winning bid here on May 8, but it's expected to be nothing more than a rubber stamp. Officially, Germany and Sweden are also bidding against Canada, which plans to host the tournament in Halifax and Quebec City.
It's believed the NHL isn't thrilled with the IIHF staging the men's tournament in the NHL's backyard, but Fasel insisted it's not an issue.
``We have a good relationship with the NHL. It won't be problem,'' Fasel said. ``We're not going to an area where there's NHL hockey. We're going to Canada for the 100-year anniversary (of the IIHF) and that's going to be a special celebration.''
Canada (Montreal and Winnipeg) was actually awarded the men's world tournament in 1970, but withdrew after disagreements over player eligibility.
The 1962 tournament was hosted by Colorado Springs, the only time it's ever been in North America.