Players, officials and organizations have responded to the news that the National Hockey League (NHL) will not send its players to compete in the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Beijing Games after the increase in cases of COVID-19 reached its agenda. SIDNEY CROSBY, TWO CANADA OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST AND PITTSBURGH PENGUINS CENTER “It’s hard to wrap your head around it, considering the fact that we thought we would have a chance at this.
Players, officials and organizations have responded to the news that the National Hockey League (NHL) will not send its players to compete in the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Beijing Games after the increase in cases of COVID-19 reached its agenda.
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SIDNEY CROSBY, CANADA TWICE OLYMPIC GOLD AND PITTSBURGH PENGUINS CENTER “It’s hard to shake your head, considering the fact that we thought we would have this opportunity in this. very much like an athlete, and you might get one. And you may fall out of your window, and if that doesn’t work, that’s unfortunate. “
IOC spokesman “IOC regrets that the NHL schedule has been so affected by the COVID-19 epidemic that it will no longer be able to release its players to participate in the Beijing Olympic Winter Games 2022. We know that the players were very eager to participate in the Beijing Games , as they missed out on PyeongChang 2018, as a result of a participation agreement reached in September between the league and the NHL Players’ Association.
Nevertheless, we continue to look forward to the participation of some of the world’s leading ice hockey players from some of the world’s top ice hockey leagues in Beijing. Their performances at PyeongChang have garnered a wide range of international audiences and featured exciting, lively ice hockey, which, as of 2018, will be followed by fans from all over the world. “
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“With the expansion of the CBA 17 months ago, NHL players are looking forward to once again participating in the Winter Olympics. Until recently, we seemed to be on a clear path to Beijing. COVID-19 unfortunately intervened, forcing many athletes to postponed only this month. No matter how much we wish it were, we need to use the Olympic time to reorganize the games. ” USA HOCKY
“Although we are disappointed, we certainly respect the decision of the NHL and NHLPA. Regardless, we are always excited about the upcoming Olympic Winter Games and look forward to assembling a team that gives us the best chance of winning a gold medal in Beijing… “With our management team and the coaching staff gone, we will soon be announcing new people to take on those roles. In addition, we expect to make our final list by mid-January.” CANCER IN CANADA
“Hockey Canada recognizes the number of negotiations and consideration of the NHL and NHLPA in the decision not to participate in the Beijing Olympics in 2022, and we understand and support that decision given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 epidemic.” Although we are disappointed. that we will not be able to form a team of the best Canadian NHL players from all over the country for the first time since 2014, we know that hockey fans from coast to coast are equally disappointed that they will not be able to. watching their favorite NHL athletes compete for gold in the Olympics. “
PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION LUC TARDIF “Although we are disappointed with the decision of the NHL and NHLPA, we fully understand the circumstances that led to this action. In all negotiations with the IOC, BOCOG, NHL, and NHLPA, we remained active. “It was shocking to see how COVID-19 affected the NHL schedule overnight, and we understand that the NHL’s decision is in the best interests of its health and safety. players.”
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DAVID SHOEMAKER, CEO AND SECRETARY-GENERAL, Canada OLYMPIC COMMITTEE “Today’s announcement by the NHL is undoubtedly disappointing to some hockey fans. .
“There is an incredibly deep talent in Canadian hockey. We are thrilled to support the men’s team as they climb the ice with their first game on February 10, trying to win their fourth consecutive medal. -O Olympics and the fifth gold. ” JOHAN GARPENLOV, SENIOR COACH OF THE Swedish NATIONAL TEAM
“I think it ‘s very painful for us in the lead team but also for all the players. We played two tournaments in the fall when we had two completely different teams, and we had that because the NHL players might be good. What will happen now is that we will work with the European track 100% and put the NHL track aside. “
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Germany National Team coach TONI SODERHOLM “It is good to have a final decision on this so that we can continue to organize the whole team. It is obviously very painful for the German athletes in the NHL because they really wanted to be in the team. The Olympics.
“With or without NHL players we are going to this Olympic ice hockey tournament with confidence and we will use and will use the coming weeks to prepare for the challenge in Beijing accordingly.”c