After some months of discussion, Garry Bettman, the NHL commissioner, finally announced, on April 3rd, that he won’t allow a break to the regular season for the Olympics. 

Most players don’t agree with this decision, because they almost all want to go to represent their country at the Olympic Games. It is a big honor for them.

The NHL has been part of every winter Olympic Game since 1998. A total of 706 players went to the Olympics, an average of 141 per Olympic game. Not going to the Olympics would be really disappointing for the players and some of the fans.

“In my mind, no matter what, I’m going” said Alexander Ovechkin, the captain of the Washington Capitals.

“I feel like we’re short changing some of the younger players that haven’t had that opportunity.”Tweeted Carey Price

International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel promised that he would pay all costs related to the Olympics, but Bettman isn’t convinced. After all, the Olympics cost many millions dollars and he doesn’t think that the International Ice Hockey Federation would really pay for it.

A poll has been done in United States and in Canada to know fans’ opinion about this decision. In United States, 73 percents agree with Bettman while  in Canada 47 percents don’t.

CBC Sport  has also made a poll on his web site and 73 percents of the people are less excited to watch hockey at the Olympics because the best players won’t be there. The remaining 27 percents thinks that it doesn’t matter because there is still plenty of new talents to make a great show.

Written by Philippe Rousseau, edited by Jérémy Lachance