The US and Canada play all the time but never when it means something. The one good thing about Hockey and the players in general, It doesn't matter if the guy your playing against is your captain for your club team, if you need to take him out and slam him into the boards to score, they will. Especially when it comes to a gold medal.
Hockey is the only sport where an Olympic Team Medal is as important as a league championship or Stanley Cup. Basketball players and Soccer players will play in the Olympics and may win the Gold, but would rather win the World Cup or FA Cup or Premier League, NBA Championship.
I dont know about the European players, but US and Canadian born players really want an Olympic Gold.
Logged