College age players in olyimpics your thoughts?

[BHSwing_7` 0]

just wondering on your thoughts about college players playing in the olyimpics rather than pros

I personaly enjoy watching the pros play but i think college age players woudl bring a new aspect to the games.

Im sure they care but it seems liek sometimes they dont take it as seriously as college kids would kinda like college hockey in the USA compared to the pros. Just wondering what your thoughts are?

[hudsonhockey22 0]

without seeing miracle, i think i would say just leave it to the pro's . but after watching how the kids came together and represented their nation's colors, i think it would bring college kids together, and would work out good.

[Monty22 831]

I personally miss seeing armatures in the Olympics. It had a different vibe that the last few with the NHL involved. I loved watching as many games as I could to see who would get their big break from having a solid performance in the games then make the leap to the NHL. Maybe the NHLers could compete in the World Cup of Hockey and change the format for the Olympics back to amateur only?

[Chadd 916]

25 and under or not playing in the NHL

[Juice_Slowjamz 0]

I personally miss seeing armatures in the Olympics. It had a different vibe that the last few with the NHL involved. I loved watching as many games as I could to see who would get their big break from having a solid performance in the games then make the leap to the NHL. Maybe the NHLers could compete in the World Cup of Hockey and change the format for the Olympics back to amateur only?

The Olympics haven't been amateur only across all sports since the 50s.

[Monty22 831]

I was referring to hockey, but thanks.

[Juice_Slowjamz 0]

I was referring to hockey, but thanks.

Make that clearer next time. kthxbye

[Monty22 831]

It's pretty clear in context. Maybe it's a comprehension issue

[Cavs019 708]

He's providing a counter-argument to your suggestion. If every other Olympic event showcases the best talent in the world at the professional level, by association, why shouldn't hockey do the same. Maybe your the one with the comprehension issues.

[RadioGaGa 162]

25 and under or not playing in the NHL

Would you allow teams to send their AHL/ECHL prospects?

[joshy207 15]

The Soviets always sent their best. All of their Olympic hockey players were pros.

I want to see the best hockey possible. The Olympics are THE sporting event, THE stage. Keep sending the pros. It's incredible hockey.

[Chadd 916]

He's providing a counter-argument to your suggestion. If every other Olympic event showcases the best talent in the world at the professional level, by association, why shouldn't hockey do the same. Maybe your the one with the comprehension issues.

The Olympics long ago lost their soul, some would say the loss of amateur competitors is the cause.

[Cavs019 708]

I agree, and obviously the team USA Nagano comes to mind. I would love to see teams composed of major junior and NCAA kids for both the U.S. and Canada.

[Juice_Slowjamz 0]

College players wouldn't be amateur either, they get scholarships. The US and Russia faught over that in 70s.

[Chadd 916]

College players wouldn't be amateur either, they get scholarships. The US and Russia faught over that in 70s.

NCAA players are far more likely to meet any definition of amateur than someone playing major junior. NCAA players are not given any cash, they are simply trading their services for an education.

[Juice_Slowjamz 0]

College players wouldn't be amateur either, they get scholarships. The US and Russia faught over that in 70s.

NCAA players are far more likely to meet any definition of amateur than someone playing major junior. NCAA players are not given any cash, they are simply trading their services for an education.

I agree. In the 70s the IOC banned an Austrian skier for taking $$ from a manufacture. The US, the Soviet Union, and others were routinely circumventing the IOC's amateur code for decades, with no consequences. The Soviets were paying their athletes for jobs they never actually perform, while the Americans were handing out athletic scholarships to thousands of athletes.

[GSHL99 0]

I think the Olympics as a whole would benefit from getting rid of professional athelets and returning to the notion of amateurs competing for their respective countries. I mean thinking back to the first "dream team" the US put together for basketball, I don't see how anyone could have considered that even remotely fair.