Amateur hockey players ever in olympics again?

Question

will the U.S.A ever use amateur hockey players in the olympics again. like back in the day (ex. 1980).

yes or no and why.

Answer 1

We might see a player or two, but not much anymore. I personally don't mind. While it might be nice to see up and coming stars, the Olympics is supposed to be about the best of the best.

I have always disagreed w/ the notion that they had to be amateurs. Competing w/ amateurs proves nothing when your best athletes are professionals.

I think it would be more prudent to put a minimum age limit on the athletes of say 18y/o, and I don't like this trend of athletes switching countries just to be able to compete. That proves nothing if the athlete is not from that respective country.

Answer 2

I would like to see all sports have amateur Olympics.

For college players, that is one of their dreams. And now pro players are the only players that can get the gold.

Answer 3

yea because chelios will not be able to walk in 3 years just like the rest of the wings =-)

Answer 4

Being that Cheliosorous will be 48 by then, they might have to call up someone from the minors to take his spot. But an all-amateur team? I actually wouldn't mind that - we KNOW these NHL players like Kovalchuk, Koivu, Iginla, Modano, Lang, etc ..

IMO seeing up and coming players like Selanne (92 Finland), Kariya (94 Canada) and Richter (88 USA) random examples mind you .. was something special

To the Hawks fan : That's what I mean .. guys like Clark Donnatelli and Trent Yawney who were marginal NHL players but who became well known in International play.