KHL could pull out of Olympics over Russia doping cases

[sureLoss]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/k...-doping-cases/

The Kontinental Hockey League may withdraw its players from the Pyeongchang Olympics in protest at doping investigations into Russian athletes, the league president suggested on Saturday.

The Moscow-based KHL, widely considered the strongest league outside the NHL, contains leading Russians but also many players who could represent the United States, Canada, and various European nations.

Canada’s current Olympic roster includes 15 players from the KHL including goalie Ben Scrivens (Salavat Yulaev Ufa) as well as forwards Wojtek Wolski (Kunlun Red Star), Brandon Kozun (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Eric O’Dell (HC Sochi), and Matt Frattin (Barys Astana). That team begins play in the Karjala Cup in Helsinki, Finland, starting Wednesday.

In a statement, KHL president Dmitry Chernyshenko said the International Olympic Committee "is destroying the existing world order in sports" by pursuing doping cases against Russians in other sports who are suspected of using banned substances around the time of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Chernyshenko referenced the NHL’s absence from Pyeongchang this February after failing to reach a deal with the IOC, and said "the KHL is ready to respond accordingly."

IOC commissions "suspend athletes without a basis of real facts confirming doping," Chernyshenko said. A Russian gold medallist in cross-country skiing was stripped of his title by an IOC panel on Wednesday using evidence of Russian doping coverups and tampering with sample bottles.

Chernyshenko previously headed Russia’s organizing committee for the Sochi Olympics, where Russia has since been accused of operating a state-sponsored program of drug use and coverups.

Russians were being unfairly targeted by the IOC, Chernyshenko said. He referred to a recent speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin in which Putin accused the U.S. of lobbying the IOC for Russia’s exclusion from the Pyeongchang Olympics or trying to force IOC officials to make Russians compete under a neutral flag.

A KHL pullout from the Olympics would leave Russia with very few players to choose from — if Russia was still allowed or willing to take part in the Olympic ice hockey tournament.

For the U.S. and Canada, it would mean a greater reliance on junior or college players, or those scattered across smaller European leagues. Countries like Finland and Sweden could benefit — they’d lose some KHL-based players, but would be in a comparatively stronger position because of the depth in their national leagues.

[mrdonkey]

Well it would certainly level the playing field, but I have my doubts that Putin would pass up such a glorious opportunity to assert the dominance of the Motherland. Will be interesting to follow nonetheless.

[nik-]

Yeah, I doubt the Russians give up their best chance to win gold now that the tournament is so watered down.

[indes]

Unless they can't send a team that won't fail for doping.

[dino7c]

They are just trying to keep KHL leading scorer Linden Ver off Canada's roster

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Well it would certainly level the playing field, but I have my doubts that Putin would pass up such a glorious opportunity to assert the dominance of the Motherland. Will be interesting to follow nonetheless.

Canada has 15 players that play in the KHL on the roster. Who replaces Them if the KHL pulls out?

[Press Level]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Canada has 15 players that play in the KHL on the roster. Who replaces Them if the KHL pulls out?

Does it really matter?

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Canada has 15 players that play in the KHL on the roster. Who replaces Them if the KHL pulls out?

Probably would be no different than the Spengler Cup team at that point.

[sharkov]

NHL and KHL are now boycotting the Korean games

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by sharkov

NHL and KHL are now boycotting the Korean games

?

Boycott would imply that the NHL is protesting the Olympics. I dont really think that is a good description of the situation in that case.

As far as the KHL is concerned, I dont think they have pulled their players yet unless things progressed that quickly in the space of 2hrs when this topic was posted. They are still using the "threat" as far as I know.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Canada has 15 players that play in the KHL on the roster. Who replaces Them if the KHL pulls out?

Don't even think I care anymore

[Fire]

I want to see the KHL prevent players from participating just to see the chaos that would result in selecting players for the Olympics. It's still a question mark if the CHL will allow junior players to play in the Olympics.

[sharkov]

Originally Posted by greyshep

?

Boycott would imply that the NHL is protesting the Olympics. I dont really think that is a good description of the situation in that case.

As far as the KHL is concerned, I dont think they have pulled their players yet unless things progressed that quickly in the space of 2hrs when this topic was posted. They are still using the "threat" as far as I know.

Either way, less interest, profits and viewership for the Korean games would be good for the world

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by sharkov

Either way, less interest, profits and viewership for the Korean games would be good for the world

Why would it be good for the world?

There is still going to be world wide interest in the games even without the top hockey players.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by sharkov

Either way, less interest, profits and viewership for the Korean games would be good for the world

Agree. Calgary could get the 2026 for a like $1.50 Canadian taxes included.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by sharkov

Either way, less interest, profits and viewership for the Korean games would be good for the world

The games aren't in evil dictator Korea. They're in the Korea that brought us Gangnam Style

[sharkov]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

The games aren't in evil dictator Korea. They're in the Korea that brought us Gangnam Style

Both equally bad. The south is responsible for atrocities such as the note 7, Virginia tech and gangnam style

[cannon7]

The IOC is a corrupt organization that deserves to be knocked down a peg or two.

[Coach]

I feel bad for the people of South Korea and the surrounding nations who won't be able to see our beautiful sport at the best it can be and instead will be subject to the Spengler Cup.

What a way to grow the game!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Has there been any update on CHL participation?