NHLPA says players are “extraordinarily disappointed” about NHL’s decision to skip Olympics

April 3, 2017 MiHockey Staff

By @MichaelCaples –

Just a few hours after the National Hockey League announced that it would not allow its players to take part in the upcoming 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South Korea, the league’s players’ association is making its membership’s feelings known.

The NHLPA has released a statement that says the players are “extraordinarily disappointed and adamantly disagree with the NHL’s shortsighted decision to not continue our partnership in the Olympics.”

Read the full release below:

TORONTO (April 3, 2017) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) released the following statement regarding the NHL’s decision on the 2018 Winter Olympics:

“The players are extraordinarily disappointed and adamantly disagree with the NHL’s shortsighted decision to not continue our participation in the Olympics.

Any sort of inconvenience the Olympics may cause to next season’s schedule is a small price to pay compared to the opportunity to showcase our game and our greatest players on this enormous international stage.

A unique opportunity lies ahead with the 2018 and 2022 Olympics in Asia. The NHL may believe it is penalizing the IOC or the players, or both, for not giving the owners some meaningful concessions in order to induce them to agree to go to PyeongChang. Instead this impedes the growth of our great game by walking away from an opportunity to reach sports fans worldwide.

Moreover, it is doing so after the financial issues relating to insurance and transportation have been resolved with the IOC and IIHF. The League’s efforts to blame others for its decision is as unfortunate as the decision itself. NHL players are patriotic and they do not take this lightly. A decent respect for the opinions of the players matters. This is the NHL’s decision, and its alone. It is very unfortunate for the game, the players and millions of loyal hockey fans.”