Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
I think one reason, on this board, is it’s harder to cheer for Canada for a bunch of reasons including McDavid
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Im curious if its hard to cheer for Canada because of McDavid if this was the Olympics...or this one included Russia and whatever other country.
Because he will also be on the Olympic team and any other foreseeable tournament for the next 10 years.
I do not understand it either. Since i started watching international hockey intently as a child, every iteration of Team Canada that included NHL players, has had players from rival teams that as a fan of team ___, you would loathe all other times.
Yet when they pull that Maple Leaf over their head, they aren't that anymore. They are Canadian players representing what most Canadians believe to be the greatest hockey country around.
You think Gretzky/Messier/Anderson and company were beloved in Calgary (or anywhere outside of Edmonton) in 1987 when they went toe to toe with the Soviets in the Canada Cup finals? No...but they were wearing "our" jersey, so that stuff doesn't matter.
Also i do not ever recall a version of Team Canada, ever, that played anything like an "all star" game, and pretty sure it wont start here.
Its an odd format to be sure, and missing one big team, but the players wont take it lightly, that much can be guaranteed.
This entire concept was the NHLPA's idea as much as anyone. Every guy on every team is a competition fanatic, they do not get where they are if they aren't.
Things will heat up on the ice very quickly IMO and evolve into a very good exhibition of the game at its highest level.