Senior Olympics Committee member absolutely slams Gary Bettman and the NHL

Olympics' Dick Pounds Bettman

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HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Senior Olympics Committee member absolutely slams Gary Bettman and the NHL
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International Olympic Committee senior member Dick Pound had some choice words for Gary Bettman and the NHL owners today.

In an editorial piece submitted to the Montreal Gazette, Pound, a former president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, had this to say about the NHL's decision and its key roles in regards to international hockey:

"First is a responsibility for growing and promoting an exciting game, which is important for the sport, its players, and spectators throughout the world. It is not sufficient for the NHL to be content with plucking the low-hanging financial fruit, but to fail to invest in the future of the game. 
"The second issue is the NHL’s decision to actively prohibit individual players, who want to represent their countries at the Olympic Games, from doing so.
"Aside from being heavy-handed and an abuse of its economic power, it is disrespectful to the rights and dreams of those players.
"If the NHL, citing economic losses, does not want to close the League for two weeks (once every four years), so be it. But it needs to be able to accommodate those of its players who want to represent their countries and act for the good of the game, its players and its fans. And for the NHL itself."

The NHL has drawn criticism from players and fans around the world after Gary Bettman announced that the league would not be allowing participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics. 

While the NHL said their decision is based on financial and injury concerns, withholding Olympic participation has also been called a shrewd and cynical strategic decision that has more to do with the next round of collective bargaining agreements between the owners and the players' union than the mid-season disruption once every four years.

Expect more posturing from players, Olympic officials and the NHL as the season and Olympics creep closer.