Thread: OT: Kopitar is going to olympic games!

I'm so happy, I could cry! Our national hockey team has just achieved something remarkable. Slovenia defeated Denmark 2:1 which means Kopitar (if healthy) will be playing against USA, Russia and Slovakia in Sochi. Can't wait!

That's AWSOME news for us Kings fans, but even better news for the country of Slovenia. Congratulations!

That is wonderful news but there are talks about the NHL not allowing players to participate.

I hope they choose to let the NHL players play in the Olympics.

From the Slovenian Ice Hockey page on Wikipedia:

- The Slovenia Lynx (as the national team is called) has never before qualified for men's hockey in the Winter Olympics (nor has their junior team ever played in the junior world championships).
- Slovenia has only 943 ice hockey players.
- Current head coach is Matjaž Kopitar (Anže Kopitar's father).
- Only two Slovenians have ever played in the NHL (Anže Kopitar and Jan Muršak).

Certainly congrats to Slovenia!

That said, as an old fart who grew up in a time when (some/most of) the Olympic athletes were (or at least purported to be) amateurs, I'm still not sure how I feel about having professional athletes in the Olympics, and I'm definitely not thrilled about Kings players playing in games for ANY team that isn't the Kings.

I would put our team up against any NHL team right now, I'm so impressed (note: beer + adrenaline talking).

The games against Belarus and Denmark were a joy to watch. The quality of play truly is unprecedented, they really played like they had something to prove. I can't wait till Sochi so we can beat USA and Russia's ass!! (there was more than 1 beer, yes).

Originally Posted by pg1067

Certainly congrats to Slovenia!

That said, as an old fart who grew up in a time when (some/most of) the Olympic athletes were (or at least purported to be) amateurs, I'm still not sure how I feel about having professional athletes in the Olympics, and I'm definitely not thrilled about Kings players playing in games for ANY team that isn't the Kings.

I get your point, but this is Kopitars opportunity (maybe only one in his lifetime) to play in the olympics and there is NO WAY he will not be there.

Originally Posted by pg1067

...and I'm definitely not thrilled about Kings players playing in games for ANY team that isn't the Kings.

If the Kings were the only team in the NHL to have players in the Olympics then I too might have a problem, but every team will see their best players play in the Olympics. Also, Kopitar is Slovenian first, and a King somewhere down below that. The same is true for every other player. Playing for your country is very different than playing for someone who drafted you and pays a lot of money to make sure you stay where you are.

I cryed like a little girl. **** YEAH!!!