I don’t understand the reluctance to come over. The way I see it, you can’t develop into a really good prospect unless you go through the entire program from the very early days until the under-20, and this program wouldn’t be there for you if not for the national federation.
Then when you are good enough to make the World Juniors, this is your graduation. Everything after that is payback time, Unfortunately, many players don’t see it that way.
Anders Hedberg, IIHF Hall of Famer, in a scathing article put up on the IIHF's website criticizing the estimated 120 players that turned down the invite to play for their country at this year's IIHF Wolrd Championships.
about 2 years ago
Bruce Peter
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I’ve always thought that the IIHF should just forego the worlds in an Olympic year. The Top Division, at least.
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
Just like the NHL owners aren’t too happy about the Olympics, the IIHF wouldn’t be too happy about losing their flagship event once every four years to the IOC.
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That’s exactly what they used to do; the Olympics counted as the WHC as well. Wonder why they stopped?
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Saying no to the IIHF
Honestly, the IIHF needs to get over itself.
Players forget what brought them riches and fame? No, Szymon, they sure haven’t. The NHL brings them riches and fame. The KHL brings them riches and fame. Elitserien, SM-liiga, DEL.
The IIHF does not bring it to them. Quite the opposite, actually. They bring it to the IIHF. The World Championships are a second-rate tournament in a normal year, and third-rate in an Olympic year. There is not an NHL player on earth that would say no to his club team to play in the World Championships instead. Not one. They all choose the Stanley Cup playoffs, and only after elimination from that do they consider the worlds.
And if they say no, who cares? The Worlds are a bloated tournament with far too many teams, far too many games and tries to go head to head with the world’s most important annual tournament.
The truth is, the IIHF needs the players a hell of a lot more than the players need the IIHF. The Canada Cup/World Cup has shown that a major best on best tournament does not require the IIHF. The international “governing” body should remember its place.
by Resolute on May 19, 2010 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It also showed that a major international tournament works perfectly fine in September. Fancy that.
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Actually, as much as you may claim that it is the individual league itself, which brings its players riches and fame, the IIHF has a point. The national ice hockey federations have a considerable hand in the growth and development of talent in their respective countries. They pour vast amounts of money and effort into these endeavours. Often—here in Europe anyway, they then see that talent move on for greener pastures. It’s the same with football (soccer).
I think there are good points on both sides. This isn’t a black/white issue. I think there are some players, who should be called out on not showing up and some who had very valid reasons for not doing so (Crosby among them). I find people who simply dismiss one side of the argument, because they may disagree with it difficult to take seriously. Few issues are ever so simple.
Incidentally, while you may consider the IIHFWC a 2nd or 3rd rate tournament, it has enormous importance in Europe, where it serves as a main exposure for ice hockey, which is a very minor sport in most countries. For many this tournament also represents their only chance to see hockey played at the elite level. Most countries here do not have access to NHL games. For years this tournament was my only way of getting the kind of hockey exposure I wanted. For example the success of the Danish national hockey team at this tournament has served to create a veritable hockey fever in a country where hockey has always been a fringe sport.
That sort of thing can only be good for the game.
"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus
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