The message from Hockey Canada...

[MePutPuckInNet]

In my quest to get through the hours of waiting for the WJC's to begin, I have taken the day to re-view the games from last year's tournament. We already know there are 12 returning members. The team , with the exception of MAF & several others of course, is very much the same. It was built with the same principals in mind. Simply put, it was built to "Crush 'em". The individual players may well make up one of the most memorable collections of skilled U-20 players Canada has ever seen. This team was obviously put together as a reaction to the past 7 Gold-less years. Canada wants Gold. And Canada wants it NOW.

And that's left me feeling ill-at-ease. I'm finding it difficult to get behind this team. I've tried, I really have. But, there's something ugly about Canada's approach to the WJC tournament this year. I'm not saying that I don't want them to win, because I do. And I'm not saying that I think they won't, because I think they will. It just seems too fabricated and contrived...and desperate.

I've always thought of junior hockey and the World Junior Championships as "real hockey". The way the game should be played. But, there's just something about the "lust for winning" of many of the fans, the team and Hockey Canada that is preventing me from having the kind of excitement I usually have this time of year for the WJC. I think I'm getting the real message from Hockey Canada loud and clear: 'Hey, it's NOT just a game!'

I don't like that message.

So, here's a message from me...to anyone who's still reading this...if you happen to be playing for Team Canada (or any other team for that matter), or you're a fan of one of the teams playing at the WJC...and as you embark upon the "Only the Gold Will Do" journey you're about to take, I hope we can all remember, that it is just a game. It seems that the entire nation of Canada is trying to wrap their hands around the necks of these players...to force out a gold medal win. But, that may cause choking - isn't that what happens when someone has too much pressure applied to their throat?

Winning the gold medal would be great for the team and for all of Canada. But, hockey is a game about "playing". We should enjoy the journey and not just the results.

So...play on, boys.

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[Doomsday Device]

In my quest to get through the hours of waiting for the WJC's to begin, I have taken the day to re-view the games from last year's tournament. We already know there are 12 returning members. The team , with the exception of MAF & several others of course, is very much the same. It was built with the same principals in mind. Simply put, it was built to "Crush 'em". The individual players may well make up one of the most memorable collections of skilled U-20 players Canada has ever seen. This team was obviously put together as a reaction to the past 7 Gold-less years. Canada wants Gold. And Canada wants it NOW.

And that's left me feeling ill-at-ease. I'm finding it difficult to get behind this team. I've tried, I really have. But, there's something ugly about Canada's approach to the WJC tournament this year. I'm not saying that I don't want them to win, because I do. And I'm not saying that I think they won't, because I think they will. It just seems too fabricated and contrived...and desperate.

I've always thought of junior hockey and the World Junior Championships as "real hockey". The way the game should be played. But, there's just something about the "lust for winning" of many of the fans, the team and Hockey Canada that is preventing me from having the kind of excitement I usually have this time of year for the WJC. I think I'm getting the real message from Hockey Canada loud and clear: 'Hey, it's NOT just a game!'

I don't like that message.

So, here's a message from me...to anyone who's still reading this...if you happen to be playing for Team Canada (or any other team for that matter), or you're a fan of one of the teams playing at the WJC...and as you embark upon the "Only the Gold Will Do" journey you're about to take, I hope we can all remember, that it is just a game. It seems that the entire nation of Canada is trying to wrap their hands around the necks of these players...to force out a gold medal win. But, that may cause choking - isn't that what happens when someone has too much pressure applied to their throat?

Winning the gold medal would be great for the team and for all of Canada. But, hockey is a game about "playing". We should enjoy the journey and not just the results.

So...play on, boys.

I don't understand. The coaching staff and the scouts have tried to put together the best roster possible for Canada, and this is somehow not sportsmanlike?

 

[Cerebral]

I don't get it either. I agree with you when you talk about the pressure that is put on these young men but I don't understand why we should not be selecting the best players possible to win gold. Should we select a weaker team and have them going in as underdogs? I don't think that's in very good spirit either...

 

[BCCHL inactive]

Sorry to break your heart, but these aren't 10 year-old kids playing in an annual Christmas tournament. These players, on all 10 teams, are in North Dakota to play their asses off and they all have one goal in mind for every game: WIN.

Not only that, these players are also playing for the scouts. Players on teams like Germany, Belarus and Switzerland might know the likelihood of a medal for their team is slim to nil, so they have the motivation of possibly getting drafted into the NHL to play for.

Players earn spots on these national teams to play their best, and for Canada, doing their best is winning a gold medal. That's the way it has always been in this country, and even moreso after a 7-year drought. If you don't like that, then I suggest you head to your local rink this week to watch 10 year-olds play for nothing but fun.

 

[Reilly311]

The team , with the exception of MAF & several others of course, is very much the same. It was built with the same principals in mind. Simply put, it was built to "Crush 'em". The individual players may well make up one of the most memorable collections of skilled U-20 players Canada has ever seen.

Yes, they've managed to sell to the fans that the same team that choked last year won't choke again this year.

This team was obviously put together as a reaction to the past 7 Gold-less years. Canada wants Gold. And Canada wants it NOW. .

It's the same team as last year. You're telling me they didn't want it last year?

I'm finding it difficult to get behind this team. I've tried, I really have. But, there's something ugly about Canada's approach to the WJC tournament this year. I'm not saying that I don't want them to win, because I do. And I'm not saying that I think they won't, because I think they will. It just seems too fabricated and contrived...and desperate.

Don't worry, no teams in this tournament really fear canada anymore.

I usually have this time of year for the WJC. I think I'm getting the real message from Hockey Canada loud and clear: 'Hey, it's NOT just a game!'

I don't like that message.

So, because they haven't won a gold in 7 years, this year they're going to try extra hard? Canada want's to win everything dealing with hockey. They get pumped when a team of 10 year olds wins a tournament.

Winning the gold medal would be great for the team and for all of Canada. But, hockey is a game about "playing". We should enjoy the journey and not just the results.

 

[MePutPuckInNet]

I don't understand.

yeah, I see that.

 

[Doomsday Device]

yeah, I see that.

It seems as if you've written two different viewpoints and combined them into one. The second half of your post about the pressure put on the players I find fairly accurate. However, your first two paragraphs are rather inane. Perhaps you wouldn't mind humoring me, and explaining it further.

 

[Sticky*]

This is a stupid post. It makes absolutely no sense. I understand the point you're trying to make. But the fact is, it is a bad point. Yes, we want to win gold, as does every other team. Canada is not building for next year. This team is built to win NOW. The way it should be. The gold has eluded us for 7 yrs, and you're making it seem like Canada should have iced a worse team, so the expectations aren't as high. Sorry, but this is Canada, yes it is just a game. But these kids know what's on the line, and if you think that they dont want this bad. You dont know what you're talking about. These are the most elite junior hockey players we have, and they are getting a chance that not many people do, so for you to say that they dont welcome this pressure, i dont think you know what you're talking about.

These kids want the gold more than we do. It's hanging around their necks, not ours.

 

[The Old Master]

In my quest to get through the hours of waiting for the WJC's to begin, I have taken the day to re-view the games from last year's tournament. We already know there are 12 returning members. The team , with the exception of MAF & several others of course, is very much the same. It was built with the same principals in mind. Simply put, it was built to "Crush 'em". The individual players may well make up one of the most memorable collections of skilled U-20 players Canada has ever seen. This team was obviously put together as a reaction to the past 7 Gold-less years. Canada wants Gold. And Canada wants it NOW.

And that's left me feeling ill-at-ease. I'm finding it difficult to get behind this team. I've tried, I really have. But, there's something ugly about Canada's approach to the WJC tournament this year. I'm not saying that I don't want them to win, because I do. And I'm not saying that I think they won't, because I think they will. It just seems too fabricated and contrived...and desperate.

I've always thought of junior hockey and the World Junior Championships as "real hockey". The way the game should be played. But, there's just something about the "lust for winning" of many of the fans, the team and Hockey Canada that is preventing me from having the kind of excitement I usually have this time of year for the WJC. I think I'm getting the real message from Hockey Canada loud and clear: 'Hey, it's NOT just a game!'

I don't like that message.

So, here's a message from me...to anyone who's still reading this...if you happen to be playing for Team Canada (or any other team for that matter), or you're a fan of one of the teams playing at the WJC...and as you embark upon the "Only the Gold Will Do" journey you're about to take, I hope we can all remember, that it is just a game. It seems that the entire nation of Canada is trying to wrap their hands around the necks of these players...to force out a gold medal win. But, that may cause choking - isn't that what happens when someone has too much pressure applied to their throat?

Winning the gold medal would be great for the team and for all of Canada. But, hockey is a game about "playing". We should enjoy the journey and not just the results.

So...play on, boys.

you don't dedacate your life to the game just to play a good game. you play to win! you don't give the cup to a team just because they tried hard. it's about being the best. and no, its not always fair, or feels good to lose but thats part of life. so come out of your little fantasy world, and get a life. or maby you should post this on the lounge, they like the touchy, feely stuff! but it has nothing to do with hockey or thouse that play it!

 

[Accord]

Sorry to break your heart, but these aren't 10 year-old kids playing in an annual Christmas tournament. These players, on all 10 teams, are in North Dakota to play their asses off and they all have one goal in mind for every game: WIN.

Not only that, these players are also playing for the scouts. Players on teams like Germany, Belarus and Switzerland might know the likelihood of a medal for their team is slim to nil, so they have the motivation of possibly getting drafted into the NHL to play for.

Players earn spots on these national teams to play their best, and for Canada, doing their best is winning a gold medal. That's the way it has always been in this country, and even moreso after a 7-year drought. If you don't like that, then I suggest you head to your local rink this week to watch 10 year-olds play for nothing but fun.

Well said.

 

[BCCHL inactive]

yeah, I see that.

After the responses to your post, this is all you can come up with?