Player Discussion Owen Power, LD (1st overall, 2021) Gentle Giant

[Jacob582]

Does Owen Power play for Canada at the Olympics?
32 Thoughts
45:35

 

[Jim Bob]

Does Owen Power play for Canada at the Olympics?
32 Thoughts
45:35

If Michigan wouldn't let Power go to the WJCs last year, I doubt they let him go to the Olympics this year. If he tests positive in China, he likely misses the NCAA tournament.

 

[Chainshot]

If Michigan wouldn't let Power go to the WJCs last year, I doubt they let him go to the Olympics this year. If he tests positive in China, he likely misses the NCAA tournament.

EF's comment that it would be akin to abandoning his team seems like a soft primer to let people down easy for when that happens.

 

[Jim Bob]

EF's comment that it would be akin to abandoning his team seems like a soft primer to let people down easy for when that happens.

But the way JM & EF were talking, he made it sound like it was Power's call. I don't know that it will even get to that point. Especially the Ls Michigan had with all their guys at the shortened WJCs.

 

[Jacob582]

 

[jfb392]

Coin flip on whether it can be trusted or not since it’s Kypreos.

 

[sabremike]

I really don't think people understand the potential ramifications of going to these Olympics and the peril you risk putting yourself in by doing so.

 

[HaNotsri]

I really don't think people understand the potential ramifications of going to these Olympics and the peril you risk putting yourself in by doing so.

My dad went through three months of house arrest in China during the first outbreak. It's ok but really, really boring.
Some cities are starving right now but I doubt the olympians would be left without food. It's a bit like a swedish prison during the 90's from what I hear. Should be worth a shot at the olympic gold.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

My dad went through three months of house arrest in China during the first outbreak. It's ok but really, really boring.
Some cities are starving right now but I doubt the olympians would be left without food. It's a bit like a swedish prison during the 90's from what I hear. Should be worth a shot at the olympic gold.

It’s China. I’m sure they’d make sure foreigners get fed, but they’re not gonna relax being draconian. If only because it looks good to the rest of the world that they treat their citizens well.

 

[beerme1]

FYI, according to an article on The Athletic, Owen Power is indeed heading to the Olympics.

 

[Zach716]

FYI, according to an article on The Athletic, Owen Power is indeed heading to the Olympics.

Owen Power to join Canada's Olympic team; Cole Perfetti, Eric Staal among those on long list: Source
Looks like Krebs, Quinn, Levi and superstar Cal O'Reilly are being considered too

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Seems like a odd decision. Why risk a quarantine or bad reaction to a covid infection ?

 

[Jim Bob]

Seems like a odd decision. Why risk a quarantine or bad reaction to a covid infection ?

A shot at an Olympic gold is a huge draw for players.

 

[Chainshot]

It does not say he is going, it says he is part of who Team Canada want to go. That also does not take into account if Michigan is going to let him go or if he decides he wants to go.

 

[Jim Bob]

It does not say he is going, it says he is part of who Team Canada want to go. That also does not take into account if Michigan is going to let him go or if he decides he wants to go.

People have taken this tweet by Dreger as Power is going.



Owen Power to join Canada's Olympic team; Cole Perfetti, Eric Staal among those on long list: Source

Owen Power will join Team Canada's Olympic men's hockey team for the upcoming games in Beijing, China, The Athletic's Corey Pronman has confirmed. Power is the first name announced to Team Canada's roster since the NHL said it would be pulling out of the Olympics on Dec. 22.

TSN's Darren Dreger was first to report the news.

Power, 19, was the No. 1 pick of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. The defenseman was on Canada's 2022 world juniors team and became the first Canadian defenseman to score a hat-trick when he potted three goals in the team's opening game against Czechia before the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.

Cole Perfetti, Eric Staal, Kent Johnson and Mason McTavish highlight a non-exhaustive list of 28 players who are on Canada's long list for the Olympics, The Atheltic's Scott Wheeler learned. Included on the long list are two players who have been embroiled in controversy, Jake Virtanen and Brendan Leipsic.

It will be interesting to see if Power is going or if he is merely on Canada's list.

 

[Chainshot]

Maybe someone should ask him.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Maybe someone should ask him.

C'mon now that would mean taking the initiative and picking up their phone, that's definitely a bridge too far

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Jim Bob]

Maybe someone should ask him.

Pronman confirmed that he is on the team.

Not sure who he asked, though...

 

[Chainshot]

Pronman confirmed that he is on the team.

Not sure who he asked, though...

Eh, all of this is coming from Hockey Canada. I've yet to see anything other than "names for consideration" in every other reputable location. Call me skeptical that they've actually asked Power or Pearson.

 

[old kummelweck]

I hope he goes. There are a lot of guys sitting on the sidelines right now seeing their shot at the Olympics fade away. Olympic Gold > NCAA Championship and it's not even close.

 

[Jim Bob]

I hope he goes. There are a lot of guys sitting on the sidelines right now seeing their shot at the Olympics fade away. Olympic Gold > NCAA Championship and it's not even close.

I would much rather that Power stay with Michigan from a development standpoint.

If he gets stuck in quarantine for a month in China, that could have a lingering negative effect on his development as he won't have any workout equipment and who knows what kind of food he will get.

I would much prefer that he just finishes the season in Michigan and then signs his ELC with the Sabres.

 

[flashsabre]

Friedman confirms in his 32 Thoughts blog that Power is going.

I think getting screwed with the WJCs 2 years in a row probably plays into this as well as a chance at an Olympic Gold Medal. A World Hockey Championship and Olympic Gold Medal before stepping into an NHL game would be big feathers in his cap. Yes there is risk but it would be a huge development piece playing on the world stage in the Olympics even without NHL players involved.

 

[Jim Bob]

Friedman confirms in his 32 Thoughts blog that Power is going.

I think getting screwed with the WJCs 2 years in a row probably plays into this as well as a chance at an Olympic Gold Medal. A World Hockey Championship and Olympic Gold Medal before stepping into an NHL game would be big feathers in his cap. Yes there is risk but it would be a huge development piece playing on the world stage in the Olympics even without NHL players involved.

I think staying at Michigan is much better for his development than a less than ideal Olympic tournament.

Missing the practices and weight room time he will get in Michigan that he won't get with Team Canada in China is going to negatively impact his development. And if he tests positive and is stuck in a Chinese hotel room for a month...

Plus, just look at the "talent" on display at the last Olympics without NHLers. It was worse than the level of competition that Power had at the WCs last year.

 

[Jim Bob]

Looking at the Olympic and Michigan schedules, the best case scenario is that everything goes off perfectly and Power is back with Michigan in time for their season ending series with Notre Dame (or even a week earlier vs The Ohio State University) and is available for the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.