Post by Ducky on Jan 4, 2005 23:55:02 GMT -5
Tue, January 4, 2005
No deadline for NHL to commit to Olympics
By RANDY SPORTAK, Sun Media
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The IIHF won't put a hard and fast deadline on the NHL to solve its labour woes and include NHLers in the 2006 Olympics. Speaking at the World Junior Hockey Championships yesterday, Rene Fasel, head of the International Ice Hockey Federation, said there is no looming date to ensure NHL participation in the Turin, Italy, games.
"Our position is quite clear, we want to keep the door open as long as possible," Fasel said. "The Olympics are the biggest event in the sporting world and we would love to have the NHL players there.
"It's too early to say yes or no. Personally, I will try to keep that door open as long as possible."
The NHL and its players have been in a labour fight over a new collective bargaining agreement since Sept. 14th. Some 550 games have been canceled due to the 111-day lockout.
Fasel said in September 2004 that an agreement between the league and its players would need to be reached by this month to ensure NHL participation in the tournament.
TOURNAMENT ITSELF
However, he said yesterday that the only deadline from the IIHF which would prevent NHL players from participating would be the actual tournament itself.
"To be honest, we could leave it open until two hours before the first game," Fasel said.
It was welcome news to Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson.
"We want best on best," Nicholson said. "That's the No. 1 choice in Canada and we want NHL players in Italy.
"What (Fasel) doesn't realize is he'll get a (advanced) list of 200 names (as potential players). Our list will be long."
Due to the uncertainty, Hockey Canada has been preparing for three scenarios, using NHL players exclusively, having some NHL players on the team or using no NHLers at all.
Fasel will have a chance today to speak with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who will be in Grand Forks today to take in the gold- and bronze-medal games, but said there will be no formal discussions regarding the league's input for the 2006 Games.
Bettman's office said he will not meet with the gathered media.
Fasel arrived yesterday to watch a successful tournament wind down and again discussed the possibility of Canada -- the only country that always makes the tournament a financial success -- hosting it every year.
"I would love to come (to Canada) every year," Fasel said. "But, as you know, it's a big family and we have to share.
"It's a very special experience for the (European) boys playing here."
He also has another contentious issue on his hands with the Russian federation opting out of the IIHF transfer agreement between European teams and the NHL.
Russian clubs want to negotiate transfer amounts themselves instead of following the international body's guidelines.
"We are working very hard with the Russian federation," said Fasel, who will be in St. Petersburg later this month for the European Champions Cup. "I hope and think we will find a new deal."
No deadline for NHL to commit to Olympics
By RANDY SPORTAK, Sun Media
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The IIHF won't put a hard and fast deadline on the NHL to solve its labour woes and include NHLers in the 2006 Olympics. Speaking at the World Junior Hockey Championships yesterday, Rene Fasel, head of the International Ice Hockey Federation, said there is no looming date to ensure NHL participation in the Turin, Italy, games.
"Our position is quite clear, we want to keep the door open as long as possible," Fasel said. "The Olympics are the biggest event in the sporting world and we would love to have the NHL players there.
"It's too early to say yes or no. Personally, I will try to keep that door open as long as possible."
The NHL and its players have been in a labour fight over a new collective bargaining agreement since Sept. 14th. Some 550 games have been canceled due to the 111-day lockout.
Fasel said in September 2004 that an agreement between the league and its players would need to be reached by this month to ensure NHL participation in the tournament.
TOURNAMENT ITSELF
However, he said yesterday that the only deadline from the IIHF which would prevent NHL players from participating would be the actual tournament itself.
"To be honest, we could leave it open until two hours before the first game," Fasel said.
It was welcome news to Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson.
"We want best on best," Nicholson said. "That's the No. 1 choice in Canada and we want NHL players in Italy.
"What (Fasel) doesn't realize is he'll get a (advanced) list of 200 names (as potential players). Our list will be long."
Due to the uncertainty, Hockey Canada has been preparing for three scenarios, using NHL players exclusively, having some NHL players on the team or using no NHLers at all.
Fasel will have a chance today to speak with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who will be in Grand Forks today to take in the gold- and bronze-medal games, but said there will be no formal discussions regarding the league's input for the 2006 Games.
Bettman's office said he will not meet with the gathered media.
Fasel arrived yesterday to watch a successful tournament wind down and again discussed the possibility of Canada -- the only country that always makes the tournament a financial success -- hosting it every year.
"I would love to come (to Canada) every year," Fasel said. "But, as you know, it's a big family and we have to share.
"It's a very special experience for the (European) boys playing here."
He also has another contentious issue on his hands with the Russian federation opting out of the IIHF transfer agreement between European teams and the NHL.
Russian clubs want to negotiate transfer amounts themselves instead of following the international body's guidelines.
"We are working very hard with the Russian federation," said Fasel, who will be in St. Petersburg later this month for the European Champions Cup. "I hope and think we will find a new deal."