NHL players at 2018 Olympics would be gold! BY: William David- Tremblay

Everybody loves the Olympics. Most people love the winter games because of the #1 Canadian sport, which is hockey. Mostly because of all the great NHL players that have competed in the Olympics. Since the 1998 games NHL players have competed in the winter olympic, since then hockey is the sport that Canada has shinned in for a long time. During the past Winter Olympics their were quit a few injuries because of the Gary Bettman doesn't want NHL players to compete in the next winter games. NHL players should compete in futur Winter Olympics because: Canada dominates in this sport, it's every players childhood dream to represent their country, and they have a chance to play against the world's best players. 

     Firstly, Hockey is a sport that Canada has dominated for a long time. The reason that Canada has been so successful in hockey is because of all the great NHL players that have competed like: Wayne Gretzky. Also, Canada has/had really great goalies like: Carey price, Roberto louongo and Martin border. These players have shown to the country and the world that they are the best in the world. With out these great players, Canada wouldn't of won all those medals and have earned the name "Hockey Country". If commissioner Gary Bettman forbids NHL players to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics Canada won't likely be able to live to the worlds expectations.

     Secondly, these players have mostly one dream and that dream would be to participate in the Olympics. But by taking away the privilege of going to the winter games these players would probably be very sad. Also, playing in the Olympics is a once and a life time experience. For example: Zedeno Chara had missed two NHL games to go carry his country's flag. This shows that the Olympics is very important to these players because they are able to represent their country. Most players dream is to win the Stanley cup finals. Although, that there are many Olympics and many Stanley cup finals you are never really sure what will happen the following year. So as you look at it, it is really a once and life time experience.

   Lastly, these players have the chance to play against teams that they were never played against in their past seasons. So, by competing in the 2018 Olympic Games new players could have the chance to play against players from all over the world. Although, by restricting NHL players to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics, players representing their country won't get the chance to experience this. Also, people will be less interested to watch the games because it will only be "no name players" from the semi-pro teams. If players are restricted from competing in the Olympics it is because of all the injuries that great players have gotten. Then they are not able to fully recover in their regular teams. So if Gary Bettman would not allow NHL players to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics he would ruin their dreams of representing their country. 

    In conclusion, NHL players should be allowed to compete in the Winter Olympics because it's a sport that Canada has dominated for a long time, it's every players dreams to represent their country and they get the chance to compete against the worlds best. If you would of been in Gary bettmans place would you of taken under consideration the feelings the players have for the Olympics?