I hate any article discussing this type of thing at the current moment. Watching Celebrini to McDavid to MacKinnon for the GW is a pure National ecstasy. Literally every classroom in Canada erupting today in unison. Every office. Any format that allows for that… hook it straight into my veins please.
Hockey had a best on best tournament in the past called the Canada Cup. Unfortunately, since hockey is controlled in North America by the NHL and they do all they can to exercise the word "Canada" from anything connected to hockey.
There's a pathological resentment towards Canada and Canadian fans from every corner of the NHL leadership. From the derision heaped on Canadian fans for caring too much and putting "pressure" on the players, to the endless nonsense that EVERY SINGLE star level player "should" be playing in some US (usually a southern US) city to "grow the game". As long as Canadians tune in to the games and drive the richest broadcasting deal to shovel money into the US-based NHL while keeping their mouths shut (except to swallow the crap) then it's steady as she/he goes.
I don't see it. I've watched the games, but I've ignored all the commentary and noise afterwards because there are, IMHO, far too many other sports that are worth paying attention to. Between CBC, TSN and Sportsnet, the coverage is better than first class, and I can watch any specific event I want on CBC Gem. Yes, those are reasons to keep the CBC. I am in awe of these kids, the tricks they're doing, the risks they're taking, the power, endurance, patience, sportsmanship and skill that have been just a joy to watch. There is no spectacle like the Olympics while it's going on. Yes, starting Monday, all its massive challenges, corruption, and everything else can come back up for discussion. But right now, it's just pure joy; from the athletes, the fans, from the pride in all the work they've done, for the cruelty that sport provides, along with the sheer elation of having "your day".
Congratulations to Italy on being brilliant hosts of a magnificent Games. A huge congratulations, as well, to Norway for a record 17 golds. Amazing what can happen to national pride when a nation invests in its athletes.
I don’t know if that’d be the case, to be fair. Not to say a revived World Cup would be unimportant but I don’t see it getting the same pull as the Olympics. The Olympic rings have an established cachet that would require a significant cultural change in the sport for a non Olympic tournament to become the most prestigious event in international hockey. Take basketball, which has its own World Cup which predates NBA Olympic participation in the 90s, and yet the pinnacle of international sport remains the Olympics. You don’t see the Americans assembling the Dream Team for the World Cup, it’s only done for the Olympics.
With that being there’s still a massive benefit to hockey and Canada from a consistent non IOC best on best international championship. It’s insane that Canada’s outlet of hockey nationalism for the past 12 years was the World Juniors, which is fun, but not even close to being the same in magnitude.
> The league can’t share highlights, can’t even mention the word ‘Olympics’ on its channels, but has to shut down midseason while its best players go off to chase glory.
Say what? @scottstinson, that needs explaining.
You mentioned the word "Olympics" in your piece and I'm assuming that Matt and Jen aren't sending the corrupt jerks at the IOC a cheque, so why can The Line mention the word, but the NHL cannot? I'm not saying you're wrong. Plenty of the rules around copyright and trademark law are downright hostile to normal human life and and even basic culture, but it's not obvious why you'd be right.
So... what fresh stupid interpretation of trademark law has the NHL banned from mentioning a global event?
You are 100000% correct, I think. I was always under the impression the Olympics was supposed to be amateur athletes.
That ended decades ago and was a farce with the USSR and E. Germany’s “amateurs”. Olympics should be for the best of the best in all sports.
Hockey, what hockey? I have been watching curling, short track speed skating in particular but other sports as well
That ship sailed years ago.
That ship sailed decades ago, which is why golf and tennis are now in as well. It's about dollars.
Don't get me wrong, the IOC is as bad as FIFA.
Sadly true....
Very good point; Olympics should be a hockey scout's dream, and every junior player's also.
Only new up and coming players from the local levels should be competing
I hate any article discussing this type of thing at the current moment. Watching Celebrini to McDavid to MacKinnon for the GW is a pure National ecstasy. Literally every classroom in Canada erupting today in unison. Every office. Any format that allows for that… hook it straight into my veins please.
Haven't watched hockey for decades as the biggest loudest cheers are not for goals but for hits and checks
Obviously you don’t watch hockey. You didn’t need to tell us.
Hockey had a best on best tournament in the past called the Canada Cup. Unfortunately, since hockey is controlled in North America by the NHL and they do all they can to exercise the word "Canada" from anything connected to hockey.
There's a pathological resentment towards Canada and Canadian fans from every corner of the NHL leadership. From the derision heaped on Canadian fans for caring too much and putting "pressure" on the players, to the endless nonsense that EVERY SINGLE star level player "should" be playing in some US (usually a southern US) city to "grow the game". As long as Canadians tune in to the games and drive the richest broadcasting deal to shovel money into the US-based NHL while keeping their mouths shut (except to swallow the crap) then it's steady as she/he goes.
Given that the league involves teams from two nations, shouldn’t it be the International Hockey League?
This essay makes some really good points.
A World Championship would be a good thing, but I am at a loss to describe the best format.
The Great 8 and the rest of Russia is not there. It is only some of the best on best.
Some animals are more equal than others.
Tibet invading and organ harvesting Chyna is though, before anyone whines about Bad Vlad.
someone mentioned playing the olympic hockey at the summer games, that would be awesome.
I don't see it. I've watched the games, but I've ignored all the commentary and noise afterwards because there are, IMHO, far too many other sports that are worth paying attention to. Between CBC, TSN and Sportsnet, the coverage is better than first class, and I can watch any specific event I want on CBC Gem. Yes, those are reasons to keep the CBC. I am in awe of these kids, the tricks they're doing, the risks they're taking, the power, endurance, patience, sportsmanship and skill that have been just a joy to watch. There is no spectacle like the Olympics while it's going on. Yes, starting Monday, all its massive challenges, corruption, and everything else can come back up for discussion. But right now, it's just pure joy; from the athletes, the fans, from the pride in all the work they've done, for the cruelty that sport provides, along with the sheer elation of having "your day".
Congratulations to Italy on being brilliant hosts of a magnificent Games. A huge congratulations, as well, to Norway for a record 17 golds. Amazing what can happen to national pride when a nation invests in its athletes.
I don’t know if that’d be the case, to be fair. Not to say a revived World Cup would be unimportant but I don’t see it getting the same pull as the Olympics. The Olympic rings have an established cachet that would require a significant cultural change in the sport for a non Olympic tournament to become the most prestigious event in international hockey. Take basketball, which has its own World Cup which predates NBA Olympic participation in the 90s, and yet the pinnacle of international sport remains the Olympics. You don’t see the Americans assembling the Dream Team for the World Cup, it’s only done for the Olympics.
With that being there’s still a massive benefit to hockey and Canada from a consistent non IOC best on best international championship. It’s insane that Canada’s outlet of hockey nationalism for the past 12 years was the World Juniors, which is fun, but not even close to being the same in magnitude.
> The league can’t share highlights, can’t even mention the word ‘Olympics’ on its channels, but has to shut down midseason while its best players go off to chase glory.
Say what? @scottstinson, that needs explaining.
You mentioned the word "Olympics" in your piece and I'm assuming that Matt and Jen aren't sending the corrupt jerks at the IOC a cheque, so why can The Line mention the word, but the NHL cannot? I'm not saying you're wrong. Plenty of the rules around copyright and trademark law are downright hostile to normal human life and and even basic culture, but it's not obvious why you'd be right.
So... what fresh stupid interpretation of trademark law has the NHL banned from mentioning a global event?