The NHL, which apparently cannot go a decade without forcing a fierce showdown with the NHLPA, is back at it again – this time needling its members further on the Olympics.
Monday, the Associated Press’s Stephen Whyno reported that players with NHL contracts in the minors will also not be allowed to go to the 2018 Winter Olympics. In late May, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman officially closed the door on league participation, but a decision on NHL players in the minor leagues was not made until the summer.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that all players under contract will be treated the same. The league announced in April it wouldn’t be stopping its season to go to the Olympics for the first time since 1994, but questions had remained about players in the American Hockey League and ECHL.
This means players signed to two-way NHL contracts or who are loaned to minor league affiliates by their clubs won’t be available to the United States, Canada or other national teams.
In July, AHL President Dave Andrews said that AHL-contracted players could participate, but it would be up to each team’s general manager to sign off.
Team Canada, who is participating in two international tournaments this month, are sporting countrymen from different European leagues. Former Capitals Andrew Gordon, Sean Collins, and Justin Peters are all a part of the pre-Olympic tournament rosters.
An example of current Hershey Bears players that can play in South Korea include Chris Bourque, Garrett Mitchell, and Dustin Gazley.
Players on NHL contracts (majority of @TheHersheyBears roster) can't go. Players like C. Bourque on AHL deals can. https://t.co/EnUOXbEoHC
— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) August 7, 2017
C. Bourque, Gazley, Bau Hansen, G. Mitchell, Zajac, Labrie, Geiger, Milner are the only players on AHL deals with Hershey.
— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) August 7, 2017
Monday, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin spoke to Sport-Express and remained hopeful the NHL will change it’s mind.
Quote from Ovechkin in here says there are no changes in his status for the Olympics at the moment. Hopeful he's allowed to participate. https://t.co/ROrjX1xs9v
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) August 7, 2017
"There's always a chance," Ovechkin said in that @sportexpress story. Added that he hasn't contacted players from other teams on the matter.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) August 7, 2017
