Team vs Country...What is more important to a player?
I have always wonder this; hockey is one of the most passionate sports in the world. Only I think soccer is bigger. A lot of players identify with their country as much as their team. Many of them go from their team to a national championship team sometime in their season. The WJC. The WC. The Olympics.
So my question is; what means more to a player. Their country or their team?
I haven't really seen two of the same teammates go at it either when the countries square off. Like Malkin vs Crosby in the Olympics or in the WC...Has that ever happened? Accidentally? Intentionally?
While hockey seems to be very patriotic I would argue that your team is more important. There's so many Canadians in the game that keep Canada from winning another Stanley Cup each and every year lol. Your commitment to your team outvalues any nationalistic feelings. Obviously you're out there making your country proud but you have a commitment to your team first and foremost.
While hockey seems to be very patriotic I would argue that your team is more important. There's so many Canadians in the game that keep Canada from winning another Stanley Cup each and every year lol. Your commitment to your team outvalues any nationalistic feelings. Obviously you're out there making your country proud but you have a commitment to your team first and foremost.
but in general Europeans tend to care more about the country and North Americans the opposite
This.
As an American it's team by far. Most Europeans are going to value an Olympic Gold at least as highly as a Stanley Cup if not much higher.
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“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile, but that it is indifferent. If we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death, our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” - Stanley Kubrick
Team by far. Stanley Cup means more to a player than any other championship by far.
I dunno there are a lot of players who choose free agency and try to win the cup with a different NHL team. But you rarely see guys flip flopping from country to country.
I think that playing for your country in a meaningful tournament means more to most players than playing for their NHL team does.
Just because the Stanley Cup means more to Crosby than the Olympic Gold doesn't mean that the Penguins mean more to him than Team Canada does.
I rather have a gold medal. I know its not a trophy but for me its the biggest achievement Trophy in all sports in the world. Remember you only get a shot at gold every 4 years while the cup you can get in one year. Winning a medal shows that your the best in your sport while sometimes winning a cup goes to players who are sometimes just crap. You have to be the best in the the world to win a gold medal. while you be complete crap to win a cup. You just need certain people on your NHL team to get you the cup. Brad May is a of a prime example of a crapping player getting a cup ring. Although it is really hard to get on the Russian or Canada or even Sweden teams if your from that country. Some players choose duel citizenship and play for a different country's team becaue they could make their own country team. Prime examples are Brett Hull and Paul Stastny both born in Canada. Staz choose to join the U.S. team because he wouldn't make team Canada team.
Last edited by AvsPredsFan19: 04-14-2012 at 07:39 PM.
Probably in the minority and hell, I don't play in any major leagues, however I'd value an Olympic Gold more than anything else in hockey.
It happens once every 4 years and there's a lot less room for error.
I know making it in the NHL means a big pay day, but I guess I'd be one of those premadonna players who would whine about where they play. For instance I'd prefer to play in Canada, or Detroit. Not a place like San Jose or Raleigh (no offense).
Well we obviously can't speak for any player but I would think that most would probably consider both to be equally special just in different ways.
I don't think you'd find many instances of opposing players, let alone NHL teammates go at it in an international competition. Generally, those kind of antics aren't seen often and I would guess that due to the way international tournaments are formatted, every single game is a must win and players would probably want to refrain from allowing their tempers to put their team at a disadvantage as there's little room for error.
I don't know enough about european hockey but in soccer it's team by far. Country becomes more important to a player the more marginalized the one they are from is. Someone from England might grudgingly play in the WC, but for players from poverty-stricken developing nations it takes on more significance imo since it represents a lot more.
I wasn't born in Canada but by God I put on that jersey and by God I cheer my ass off.
Don't care if we ever win an international tournament? The hell with ya!
Seriously.
I remember each and every one of the Oilers 5 Stanley Cups vividly. I can barely remember who won the last Olympic Gold and I sure as heck can't remember the one before that.
International hockey is interesting in that I am watching Oiler players to see how they do. Who wins is of little importance to me.
Despite the obvious (different players have different intentions), I feel like players are more attached to their country than club... but they're far more emotionally invested in the team and the guys in the locker room. Teams become families after awhile, I don't really see national competition having the adequate time frame to develop personal relationships like club hockey would.
