A notable omission
on the Team USA World Cup roster is Bobby Holik.
Yes, Bobby Holik.
IIHF rules regarding country origination are very
relaxed in the NHL/NHLPA World Cup, as observed by
Russia's inclusion of Evgeny Nabokov and Dainius
Zubrus. Bobby Holik has made no bones about his
pride to be an American citizen and would have liked
to have played for Team USA in the World Cup,
according to a print article by Vancouver Province
columnist Tony Gallagher.
Asked why Holik, a native of the Czech Republic, wasn't included, Team USA GM Larry
Pleau stated "We didn't go for Holik because he
wasn't eligible to play for our Olympic or World
Championship team and we wanted guys who can play
for us everywhere."
That is an
acceptable notion on its own, but if you look
further into Team USA roster selections you have to
wonder if some politics aren't being played. The US
named a veteran team for a last hurrah at
international glory rather than bringing in some of
the future stars, most notably young speedsters
Scott Gomez and Mike York.
Its fine to say Holik wasn't included because they
want to use this
tournament as an opportunity to groom the future of
USA Hockey at Olympic and World Championship events.
But at the same time they sacrifice the future of
USA Hockey for several veterans who will never
likely represent USA Hockey on the ice ever again?
In the last World Cup there was extreme criticism of
one nation for bringing back too many veterans for a
final shot at international glory. Team Canada
learned their lesson. Will Team USA have to learn
the same lesson?
|
Legends
of Team Canada Book Oct 2004
|
