Add Modano to the 'ugly American' list

[IceSaber]

Laviolette called timeout midway through the first perio

I don't have the greatest memory - but don't we have at least 2 games on record this seasaon where a cleverly place timeout early in the game stopped and onslaught by the opposing team and got US (the Canes) back in it? I've seen Lavi use his timeouts too efficiently this season to stem the bleeding and get the boys on track to not believe he made the right call at the right time.

I hate blame - unl;ess you are taking the responsibility of a loss on your own shoulders - SHUT THE HE - double hockey sticks UP!!!

*excuse me - I tried to stay quiet - whining just pisses me off something fierce*

[IceSaber]

Laviolette called timeout midway through the first perio

I don't have the greatest memory - but don't we have at least 2 games on record this seasaon where a cleverly place timeout early in the game stopped and onslaught by the opposing team and got US (the Canes) back in it? I've seen Lavi use his timeouts too efficiently this season to stem the bleeding and get the boys on track to not believe he made the right call at the right time.

I hate blame - unl;ess you are taking the responsibility of a loss on your own shoulders - SHUT THE HE - double hockey sticks UP!!!

*excuse me - I tried to stay quiet - whining just pisses me off something fierce*

[Alicia]

It turns out, fortunately, that the Americans are very good at explaining failure, far better than they are at playing hockey.

For the ones speaking so loudly, that ^^ would appear to be the case.

[Alicia]

It turns out, fortunately, that the Americans are very good at explaining failure, far better than they are at playing hockey.

For the ones speaking so loudly, that ^^ would appear to be the case.

[Alicia]

It turns out, fortunately, that the Americans are very good at explaining failure, far better than they are at playing hockey.

For the ones speaking so loudly, that ^^ would appear to be the case.

[Alicia]

It turns out, fortunately, that the Americans are very good at explaining failure, far better than they are at playing hockey.

For the ones speaking so loudly, that ^^ would appear to be the case.

[Alicia]

It turns out, fortunately, that the Americans are very good at explaining failure, far better than they are at playing hockey.

For the ones speaking so loudly, that ^^ would appear to be the case.

[Alicia]

It turns out, fortunately, that the Americans are very good at explaining failure, far better than they are at playing hockey.

For the ones speaking so loudly, that ^^ would appear to be the case.

[Alicia]

It turns out, fortunately, that the Americans are very good at explaining failure, far better than they are at playing hockey.

For the ones speaking so loudly, that ^^ would appear to be the case.

[Kat]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.

Jerk. :mad:

And he STILL looks like the cucumber from veggie tales, even without the green jersey.

-Kat

[Kat]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.

Jerk. :mad:

And he STILL looks like the cucumber from veggie tales, even without the green jersey.

-Kat

[Kat]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.

Jerk. :mad:

And he STILL looks like the cucumber from veggie tales, even without the green jersey.

-Kat

[Kat]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.

Jerk. :mad:

And he STILL looks like the cucumber from veggie tales, even without the green jersey.

-Kat

[Kat]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.

Jerk. :mad:

And he STILL looks like the cucumber from veggie tales, even without the green jersey.

-Kat

[Kat]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.

Jerk. :mad:

And he STILL looks like the cucumber from veggie tales, even without the green jersey.

-Kat

[Kat]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.

Jerk. :mad:

And he STILL looks like the cucumber from veggie tales, even without the green jersey.

-Kat

[SoCalcaniac]

I think steam is just going to start spurting out of my head - I'm trying to center myself by watching ice skating and it's not working. lol.... More 'stuff' and has anyone looked at TSN's article? they've got a 'your call' message board up and a good bulk of people are questioning why Torterella wasn't named the coach (??**?!) OMG.

Commentary: No plane, no gain for USA hockey players
By Bob Kravitz, The Indianapolis Star

TORINO — Wednesday marked 26 years to the day of the Miracle on Ice. Twenty-six years since a bunch of American college hockey players, fresh off Herb Brooks' months-long boot camp, peeked through the Russians' veil of invincibility and forged a miracle. Twenty-six years since the proudest American Olympic moment this side of Jesse Owens.

Now, 26 years later, here was multimillionaire National Hockey League veteran Mike Modano, standing before the American media just seconds after the United States lost, 4-3, to Finland. Here was Modano, the Dallas Stars center, trying to explain how Team USA could have laid such an egg on the international stage, how they could have gone 1-4-1 in this tournament and exited with an eighth-place finish.

Here was Modano, another American who just doesn't get it.

"Basically, we were on our own as far as arrangements, flights, hotels, tickets," Modano said, using a post-game interview to slam USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur hockey. "Normally, that's something you don't have to think about. That's something that should be taken care of so we don't have to worry about it and can focus on hockey and get ready to play."

Ah, so that was it. USA Hockey forgot to put a mint on Modano's pillow every evening. (LMAO)

Can you imagine Mike Eruzione or Jim Craig trying that one 26 years ago? They'd still be skating "Herbies" right now.

How do you think that sounds to team general manager Don Waddell, who was one of the last players cut from the 1980 Olympic team? When he was asked after the game how he felt now, having come so far only to see his dream die, he went silent, finally breaking down in tears.

Modano, though, he wouldn't shut up. His punchless team had just come all this way, leaving with only a victory over Kazakhstan and a tie with Latvia to show for its troubles, and he was whining about a bunch of old men living in Colorado Springs.

Now we've heard it all: Bad auras, crazy bus schedules and this. :lol:

"Everybody has to do it," said Finn forward Teemu Selanne. "There's no help. Nobody had direct flights here. It's not easy for anybody. You have jet lag and then you play six games in eight nights."

If it means anything, Team Canada had all its travel and ticket issues handled by its federation. Lot of good that did: Wayne Gretzky's boys committed the ultimate national sin, losing later in the night to the Russian Federation.

The Americans didn't fail to reach the medal round for the fifth time in seven Olympics because Modano and friends had to go to travelocity.com. They failed for a number of other reasons, including the fact they played like a bunch of testosterone-addled cementheads in this quarterfinal game.

They failed because:

They were too old.

Team USA's braintrust knew that coming in, and feared the team's age might doom them, but they had very few options. Right now, American hockey exists in a generational vacuum. The best players are all either too old or too young. Twenty-six years after the miracle, it would appear American hockey hasn't taken full advantage.

"It (age) was a concern of mine before the Games, although I thought (44-year-old Chris) Chelios was terrific," said Team USA head coach Peter Laviolette. "It affected us a little. We didn't seem to have the same pop as a group."

This team, like most American all-star teams, cannot learn quickly how to play as a team.

The U.S. basketball team's disintegration in Athens is the ultimate example. We are a nation of rugged individualists. It is our blessing and our curse. And our players are trained in a number of different systems, while the Swedes, Finns, Czechs and others grow up playing together, all of them groomed in the same, general way.

"We are a little country," Selanne said, smiling a jagged, bloody smile, courtesy of a Derian Hatcher stick. "We enjoy playing together. That's what it takes."

It's worth pointing out that Laviolette and Waddell passionately defended USA Hockey, even though nobody outside of the hockey world knows who they are. Apprised of Modano's comments, Waddell said, "That's very disappointing."

And it is, even if there's a germ of truth behind his general contention that the organization needs new blood and better leadership. What could inspire an athlete to come off the ice after a terrible loss and lay the blame at the feet of USA Hockey? Is that the pressing issue when you've just been punted and sent home a mere eight days after your arrival?

Puh-leeze.

As Modano spoke, Selanne stood a few feet away, speaking to several reporters. There was still dried blood on his chin. He couldn't have been any happier.

"I'm disappointed I lost three teeth," he said. "But that's a little sacrifice to try for a gold medal."

Twenty-six years after an overmatched bunch of amateurs gave their heart and soul for a gold medal, that now seems like a price the Americans are no longer willing to pay.

[SoCalcaniac]

I think steam is just going to start spurting out of my head - I'm trying to center myself by watching ice skating and it's not working. lol.... More 'stuff' and has anyone looked at TSN's article? they've got a 'your call' message board up and a good bulk of people are questioning why Torterella wasn't named the coach (??**?!) OMG.

Commentary: No plane, no gain for USA hockey players
By Bob Kravitz, The Indianapolis Star

TORINO — Wednesday marked 26 years to the day of the Miracle on Ice. Twenty-six years since a bunch of American college hockey players, fresh off Herb Brooks' months-long boot camp, peeked through the Russians' veil of invincibility and forged a miracle. Twenty-six years since the proudest American Olympic moment this side of Jesse Owens.

Now, 26 years later, here was multimillionaire National Hockey League veteran Mike Modano, standing before the American media just seconds after the United States lost, 4-3, to Finland. Here was Modano, the Dallas Stars center, trying to explain how Team USA could have laid such an egg on the international stage, how they could have gone 1-4-1 in this tournament and exited with an eighth-place finish.

Here was Modano, another American who just doesn't get it.

"Basically, we were on our own as far as arrangements, flights, hotels, tickets," Modano said, using a post-game interview to slam USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur hockey. "Normally, that's something you don't have to think about. That's something that should be taken care of so we don't have to worry about it and can focus on hockey and get ready to play."

Ah, so that was it. USA Hockey forgot to put a mint on Modano's pillow every evening. (LMAO)

Can you imagine Mike Eruzione or Jim Craig trying that one 26 years ago? They'd still be skating "Herbies" right now.

How do you think that sounds to team general manager Don Waddell, who was one of the last players cut from the 1980 Olympic team? When he was asked after the game how he felt now, having come so far only to see his dream die, he went silent, finally breaking down in tears.

Modano, though, he wouldn't shut up. His punchless team had just come all this way, leaving with only a victory over Kazakhstan and a tie with Latvia to show for its troubles, and he was whining about a bunch of old men living in Colorado Springs.

Now we've heard it all: Bad auras, crazy bus schedules and this. :lol:

"Everybody has to do it," said Finn forward Teemu Selanne. "There's no help. Nobody had direct flights here. It's not easy for anybody. You have jet lag and then you play six games in eight nights."

If it means anything, Team Canada had all its travel and ticket issues handled by its federation. Lot of good that did: Wayne Gretzky's boys committed the ultimate national sin, losing later in the night to the Russian Federation.

The Americans didn't fail to reach the medal round for the fifth time in seven Olympics because Modano and friends had to go to travelocity.com. They failed for a number of other reasons, including the fact they played like a bunch of testosterone-addled cementheads in this quarterfinal game.

They failed because:

They were too old.

Team USA's braintrust knew that coming in, and feared the team's age might doom them, but they had very few options. Right now, American hockey exists in a generational vacuum. The best players are all either too old or too young. Twenty-six years after the miracle, it would appear American hockey hasn't taken full advantage.

"It (age) was a concern of mine before the Games, although I thought (44-year-old Chris) Chelios was terrific," said Team USA head coach Peter Laviolette. "It affected us a little. We didn't seem to have the same pop as a group."

This team, like most American all-star teams, cannot learn quickly how to play as a team.

The U.S. basketball team's disintegration in Athens is the ultimate example. We are a nation of rugged individualists. It is our blessing and our curse. And our players are trained in a number of different systems, while the Swedes, Finns, Czechs and others grow up playing together, all of them groomed in the same, general way.

"We are a little country," Selanne said, smiling a jagged, bloody smile, courtesy of a Derian Hatcher stick. "We enjoy playing together. That's what it takes."

It's worth pointing out that Laviolette and Waddell passionately defended USA Hockey, even though nobody outside of the hockey world knows who they are. Apprised of Modano's comments, Waddell said, "That's very disappointing."

And it is, even if there's a germ of truth behind his general contention that the organization needs new blood and better leadership. What could inspire an athlete to come off the ice after a terrible loss and lay the blame at the feet of USA Hockey? Is that the pressing issue when you've just been punted and sent home a mere eight days after your arrival?

Puh-leeze.

As Modano spoke, Selanne stood a few feet away, speaking to several reporters. There was still dried blood on his chin. He couldn't have been any happier.

"I'm disappointed I lost three teeth," he said. "But that's a little sacrifice to try for a gold medal."

Twenty-six years after an overmatched bunch of amateurs gave their heart and soul for a gold medal, that now seems like a price the Americans are no longer willing to pay.

[SoCalcaniac]

I think steam is just going to start spurting out of my head - I'm trying to center myself by watching ice skating and it's not working. lol.... More 'stuff' and has anyone looked at TSN's article? they've got a 'your call' message board up and a good bulk of people are questioning why Torterella wasn't named the coach (??**?!) OMG.

Commentary: No plane, no gain for USA hockey players
By Bob Kravitz, The Indianapolis Star

TORINO — Wednesday marked 26 years to the day of the Miracle on Ice. Twenty-six years since a bunch of American college hockey players, fresh off Herb Brooks' months-long boot camp, peeked through the Russians' veil of invincibility and forged a miracle. Twenty-six years since the proudest American Olympic moment this side of Jesse Owens.

Now, 26 years later, here was multimillionaire National Hockey League veteran Mike Modano, standing before the American media just seconds after the United States lost, 4-3, to Finland. Here was Modano, the Dallas Stars center, trying to explain how Team USA could have laid such an egg on the international stage, how they could have gone 1-4-1 in this tournament and exited with an eighth-place finish.

Here was Modano, another American who just doesn't get it.

"Basically, we were on our own as far as arrangements, flights, hotels, tickets," Modano said, using a post-game interview to slam USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur hockey. "Normally, that's something you don't have to think about. That's something that should be taken care of so we don't have to worry about it and can focus on hockey and get ready to play."

Ah, so that was it. USA Hockey forgot to put a mint on Modano's pillow every evening. (LMAO)

Can you imagine Mike Eruzione or Jim Craig trying that one 26 years ago? They'd still be skating "Herbies" right now.

How do you think that sounds to team general manager Don Waddell, who was one of the last players cut from the 1980 Olympic team? When he was asked after the game how he felt now, having come so far only to see his dream die, he went silent, finally breaking down in tears.

Modano, though, he wouldn't shut up. His punchless team had just come all this way, leaving with only a victory over Kazakhstan and a tie with Latvia to show for its troubles, and he was whining about a bunch of old men living in Colorado Springs.

Now we've heard it all: Bad auras, crazy bus schedules and this. :lol:

"Everybody has to do it," said Finn forward Teemu Selanne. "There's no help. Nobody had direct flights here. It's not easy for anybody. You have jet lag and then you play six games in eight nights."

If it means anything, Team Canada had all its travel and ticket issues handled by its federation. Lot of good that did: Wayne Gretzky's boys committed the ultimate national sin, losing later in the night to the Russian Federation.

The Americans didn't fail to reach the medal round for the fifth time in seven Olympics because Modano and friends had to go to travelocity.com. They failed for a number of other reasons, including the fact they played like a bunch of testosterone-addled cementheads in this quarterfinal game.

They failed because:

They were too old.

Team USA's braintrust knew that coming in, and feared the team's age might doom them, but they had very few options. Right now, American hockey exists in a generational vacuum. The best players are all either too old or too young. Twenty-six years after the miracle, it would appear American hockey hasn't taken full advantage.

"It (age) was a concern of mine before the Games, although I thought (44-year-old Chris) Chelios was terrific," said Team USA head coach Peter Laviolette. "It affected us a little. We didn't seem to have the same pop as a group."

This team, like most American all-star teams, cannot learn quickly how to play as a team.

The U.S. basketball team's disintegration in Athens is the ultimate example. We are a nation of rugged individualists. It is our blessing and our curse. And our players are trained in a number of different systems, while the Swedes, Finns, Czechs and others grow up playing together, all of them groomed in the same, general way.

"We are a little country," Selanne said, smiling a jagged, bloody smile, courtesy of a Derian Hatcher stick. "We enjoy playing together. That's what it takes."

It's worth pointing out that Laviolette and Waddell passionately defended USA Hockey, even though nobody outside of the hockey world knows who they are. Apprised of Modano's comments, Waddell said, "That's very disappointing."

And it is, even if there's a germ of truth behind his general contention that the organization needs new blood and better leadership. What could inspire an athlete to come off the ice after a terrible loss and lay the blame at the feet of USA Hockey? Is that the pressing issue when you've just been punted and sent home a mere eight days after your arrival?

Puh-leeze.

As Modano spoke, Selanne stood a few feet away, speaking to several reporters. There was still dried blood on his chin. He couldn't have been any happier.

"I'm disappointed I lost three teeth," he said. "But that's a little sacrifice to try for a gold medal."

Twenty-six years after an overmatched bunch of amateurs gave their heart and soul for a gold medal, that now seems like a price the Americans are no longer willing to pay.

[SoCalcaniac]

I think steam is just going to start spurting out of my head - I'm trying to center myself by watching ice skating and it's not working. lol.... More 'stuff' and has anyone looked at TSN's article? they've got a 'your call' message board up and a good bulk of people are questioning why Torterella wasn't named the coach (??**?!) OMG.

Commentary: No plane, no gain for USA hockey players
By Bob Kravitz, The Indianapolis Star

TORINO — Wednesday marked 26 years to the day of the Miracle on Ice. Twenty-six years since a bunch of American college hockey players, fresh off Herb Brooks' months-long boot camp, peeked through the Russians' veil of invincibility and forged a miracle. Twenty-six years since the proudest American Olympic moment this side of Jesse Owens.

Now, 26 years later, here was multimillionaire National Hockey League veteran Mike Modano, standing before the American media just seconds after the United States lost, 4-3, to Finland. Here was Modano, the Dallas Stars center, trying to explain how Team USA could have laid such an egg on the international stage, how they could have gone 1-4-1 in this tournament and exited with an eighth-place finish.

Here was Modano, another American who just doesn't get it.

"Basically, we were on our own as far as arrangements, flights, hotels, tickets," Modano said, using a post-game interview to slam USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur hockey. "Normally, that's something you don't have to think about. That's something that should be taken care of so we don't have to worry about it and can focus on hockey and get ready to play."

Ah, so that was it. USA Hockey forgot to put a mint on Modano's pillow every evening. (LMAO)

Can you imagine Mike Eruzione or Jim Craig trying that one 26 years ago? They'd still be skating "Herbies" right now.

How do you think that sounds to team general manager Don Waddell, who was one of the last players cut from the 1980 Olympic team? When he was asked after the game how he felt now, having come so far only to see his dream die, he went silent, finally breaking down in tears.

Modano, though, he wouldn't shut up. His punchless team had just come all this way, leaving with only a victory over Kazakhstan and a tie with Latvia to show for its troubles, and he was whining about a bunch of old men living in Colorado Springs.

Now we've heard it all: Bad auras, crazy bus schedules and this. :lol:

"Everybody has to do it," said Finn forward Teemu Selanne. "There's no help. Nobody had direct flights here. It's not easy for anybody. You have jet lag and then you play six games in eight nights."

If it means anything, Team Canada had all its travel and ticket issues handled by its federation. Lot of good that did: Wayne Gretzky's boys committed the ultimate national sin, losing later in the night to the Russian Federation.

The Americans didn't fail to reach the medal round for the fifth time in seven Olympics because Modano and friends had to go to travelocity.com. They failed for a number of other reasons, including the fact they played like a bunch of testosterone-addled cementheads in this quarterfinal game.

They failed because:

They were too old.

Team USA's braintrust knew that coming in, and feared the team's age might doom them, but they had very few options. Right now, American hockey exists in a generational vacuum. The best players are all either too old or too young. Twenty-six years after the miracle, it would appear American hockey hasn't taken full advantage.

"It (age) was a concern of mine before the Games, although I thought (44-year-old Chris) Chelios was terrific," said Team USA head coach Peter Laviolette. "It affected us a little. We didn't seem to have the same pop as a group."

This team, like most American all-star teams, cannot learn quickly how to play as a team.

The U.S. basketball team's disintegration in Athens is the ultimate example. We are a nation of rugged individualists. It is our blessing and our curse. And our players are trained in a number of different systems, while the Swedes, Finns, Czechs and others grow up playing together, all of them groomed in the same, general way.

"We are a little country," Selanne said, smiling a jagged, bloody smile, courtesy of a Derian Hatcher stick. "We enjoy playing together. That's what it takes."

It's worth pointing out that Laviolette and Waddell passionately defended USA Hockey, even though nobody outside of the hockey world knows who they are. Apprised of Modano's comments, Waddell said, "That's very disappointing."

And it is, even if there's a germ of truth behind his general contention that the organization needs new blood and better leadership. What could inspire an athlete to come off the ice after a terrible loss and lay the blame at the feet of USA Hockey? Is that the pressing issue when you've just been punted and sent home a mere eight days after your arrival?

Puh-leeze.

As Modano spoke, Selanne stood a few feet away, speaking to several reporters. There was still dried blood on his chin. He couldn't have been any happier.

"I'm disappointed I lost three teeth," he said. "But that's a little sacrifice to try for a gold medal."

Twenty-six years after an overmatched bunch of amateurs gave their heart and soul for a gold medal, that now seems like a price the Americans are no longer willing to pay.

[SoCalcaniac]

I think steam is just going to start spurting out of my head - I'm trying to center myself by watching ice skating and it's not working. lol.... More 'stuff' and has anyone looked at TSN's article? they've got a 'your call' message board up and a good bulk of people are questioning why Torterella wasn't named the coach (??**?!) OMG.

Commentary: No plane, no gain for USA hockey players
By Bob Kravitz, The Indianapolis Star

TORINO — Wednesday marked 26 years to the day of the Miracle on Ice. Twenty-six years since a bunch of American college hockey players, fresh off Herb Brooks' months-long boot camp, peeked through the Russians' veil of invincibility and forged a miracle. Twenty-six years since the proudest American Olympic moment this side of Jesse Owens.

Now, 26 years later, here was multimillionaire National Hockey League veteran Mike Modano, standing before the American media just seconds after the United States lost, 4-3, to Finland. Here was Modano, the Dallas Stars center, trying to explain how Team USA could have laid such an egg on the international stage, how they could have gone 1-4-1 in this tournament and exited with an eighth-place finish.

Here was Modano, another American who just doesn't get it.

"Basically, we were on our own as far as arrangements, flights, hotels, tickets," Modano said, using a post-game interview to slam USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur hockey. "Normally, that's something you don't have to think about. That's something that should be taken care of so we don't have to worry about it and can focus on hockey and get ready to play."

Ah, so that was it. USA Hockey forgot to put a mint on Modano's pillow every evening. (LMAO)

Can you imagine Mike Eruzione or Jim Craig trying that one 26 years ago? They'd still be skating "Herbies" right now.

How do you think that sounds to team general manager Don Waddell, who was one of the last players cut from the 1980 Olympic team? When he was asked after the game how he felt now, having come so far only to see his dream die, he went silent, finally breaking down in tears.

Modano, though, he wouldn't shut up. His punchless team had just come all this way, leaving with only a victory over Kazakhstan and a tie with Latvia to show for its troubles, and he was whining about a bunch of old men living in Colorado Springs.

Now we've heard it all: Bad auras, crazy bus schedules and this. :lol:

"Everybody has to do it," said Finn forward Teemu Selanne. "There's no help. Nobody had direct flights here. It's not easy for anybody. You have jet lag and then you play six games in eight nights."

If it means anything, Team Canada had all its travel and ticket issues handled by its federation. Lot of good that did: Wayne Gretzky's boys committed the ultimate national sin, losing later in the night to the Russian Federation.

The Americans didn't fail to reach the medal round for the fifth time in seven Olympics because Modano and friends had to go to travelocity.com. They failed for a number of other reasons, including the fact they played like a bunch of testosterone-addled cementheads in this quarterfinal game.

They failed because:

They were too old.

Team USA's braintrust knew that coming in, and feared the team's age might doom them, but they had very few options. Right now, American hockey exists in a generational vacuum. The best players are all either too old or too young. Twenty-six years after the miracle, it would appear American hockey hasn't taken full advantage.

"It (age) was a concern of mine before the Games, although I thought (44-year-old Chris) Chelios was terrific," said Team USA head coach Peter Laviolette. "It affected us a little. We didn't seem to have the same pop as a group."

This team, like most American all-star teams, cannot learn quickly how to play as a team.

The U.S. basketball team's disintegration in Athens is the ultimate example. We are a nation of rugged individualists. It is our blessing and our curse. And our players are trained in a number of different systems, while the Swedes, Finns, Czechs and others grow up playing together, all of them groomed in the same, general way.

"We are a little country," Selanne said, smiling a jagged, bloody smile, courtesy of a Derian Hatcher stick. "We enjoy playing together. That's what it takes."

It's worth pointing out that Laviolette and Waddell passionately defended USA Hockey, even though nobody outside of the hockey world knows who they are. Apprised of Modano's comments, Waddell said, "That's very disappointing."

And it is, even if there's a germ of truth behind his general contention that the organization needs new blood and better leadership. What could inspire an athlete to come off the ice after a terrible loss and lay the blame at the feet of USA Hockey? Is that the pressing issue when you've just been punted and sent home a mere eight days after your arrival?

Puh-leeze.

As Modano spoke, Selanne stood a few feet away, speaking to several reporters. There was still dried blood on his chin. He couldn't have been any happier.

"I'm disappointed I lost three teeth," he said. "But that's a little sacrifice to try for a gold medal."

Twenty-six years after an overmatched bunch of amateurs gave their heart and soul for a gold medal, that now seems like a price the Americans are no longer willing to pay.

[SoCalcaniac]

I think steam is just going to start spurting out of my head - I'm trying to center myself by watching ice skating and it's not working. lol.... More 'stuff' and has anyone looked at TSN's article? they've got a 'your call' message board up and a good bulk of people are questioning why Torterella wasn't named the coach (??**?!) OMG.

Commentary: No plane, no gain for USA hockey players
By Bob Kravitz, The Indianapolis Star

TORINO — Wednesday marked 26 years to the day of the Miracle on Ice. Twenty-six years since a bunch of American college hockey players, fresh off Herb Brooks' months-long boot camp, peeked through the Russians' veil of invincibility and forged a miracle. Twenty-six years since the proudest American Olympic moment this side of Jesse Owens.

Now, 26 years later, here was multimillionaire National Hockey League veteran Mike Modano, standing before the American media just seconds after the United States lost, 4-3, to Finland. Here was Modano, the Dallas Stars center, trying to explain how Team USA could have laid such an egg on the international stage, how they could have gone 1-4-1 in this tournament and exited with an eighth-place finish.

Here was Modano, another American who just doesn't get it.

"Basically, we were on our own as far as arrangements, flights, hotels, tickets," Modano said, using a post-game interview to slam USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur hockey. "Normally, that's something you don't have to think about. That's something that should be taken care of so we don't have to worry about it and can focus on hockey and get ready to play."

Ah, so that was it. USA Hockey forgot to put a mint on Modano's pillow every evening. (LMAO)

Can you imagine Mike Eruzione or Jim Craig trying that one 26 years ago? They'd still be skating "Herbies" right now.

How do you think that sounds to team general manager Don Waddell, who was one of the last players cut from the 1980 Olympic team? When he was asked after the game how he felt now, having come so far only to see his dream die, he went silent, finally breaking down in tears.

Modano, though, he wouldn't shut up. His punchless team had just come all this way, leaving with only a victory over Kazakhstan and a tie with Latvia to show for its troubles, and he was whining about a bunch of old men living in Colorado Springs.

Now we've heard it all: Bad auras, crazy bus schedules and this. :lol:

"Everybody has to do it," said Finn forward Teemu Selanne. "There's no help. Nobody had direct flights here. It's not easy for anybody. You have jet lag and then you play six games in eight nights."

If it means anything, Team Canada had all its travel and ticket issues handled by its federation. Lot of good that did: Wayne Gretzky's boys committed the ultimate national sin, losing later in the night to the Russian Federation.

The Americans didn't fail to reach the medal round for the fifth time in seven Olympics because Modano and friends had to go to travelocity.com. They failed for a number of other reasons, including the fact they played like a bunch of testosterone-addled cementheads in this quarterfinal game.

They failed because:

They were too old.

Team USA's braintrust knew that coming in, and feared the team's age might doom them, but they had very few options. Right now, American hockey exists in a generational vacuum. The best players are all either too old or too young. Twenty-six years after the miracle, it would appear American hockey hasn't taken full advantage.

"It (age) was a concern of mine before the Games, although I thought (44-year-old Chris) Chelios was terrific," said Team USA head coach Peter Laviolette. "It affected us a little. We didn't seem to have the same pop as a group."

This team, like most American all-star teams, cannot learn quickly how to play as a team.

The U.S. basketball team's disintegration in Athens is the ultimate example. We are a nation of rugged individualists. It is our blessing and our curse. And our players are trained in a number of different systems, while the Swedes, Finns, Czechs and others grow up playing together, all of them groomed in the same, general way.

"We are a little country," Selanne said, smiling a jagged, bloody smile, courtesy of a Derian Hatcher stick. "We enjoy playing together. That's what it takes."

It's worth pointing out that Laviolette and Waddell passionately defended USA Hockey, even though nobody outside of the hockey world knows who they are. Apprised of Modano's comments, Waddell said, "That's very disappointing."

And it is, even if there's a germ of truth behind his general contention that the organization needs new blood and better leadership. What could inspire an athlete to come off the ice after a terrible loss and lay the blame at the feet of USA Hockey? Is that the pressing issue when you've just been punted and sent home a mere eight days after your arrival?

Puh-leeze.

As Modano spoke, Selanne stood a few feet away, speaking to several reporters. There was still dried blood on his chin. He couldn't have been any happier.

"I'm disappointed I lost three teeth," he said. "But that's a little sacrifice to try for a gold medal."

Twenty-six years after an overmatched bunch of amateurs gave their heart and soul for a gold medal, that now seems like a price the Americans are no longer willing to pay.

[SoCalcaniac]

I think steam is just going to start spurting out of my head - I'm trying to center myself by watching ice skating and it's not working. lol.... More 'stuff' and has anyone looked at TSN's article? they've got a 'your call' message board up and a good bulk of people are questioning why Torterella wasn't named the coach (??**?!) OMG.

Commentary: No plane, no gain for USA hockey players
By Bob Kravitz, The Indianapolis Star

TORINO — Wednesday marked 26 years to the day of the Miracle on Ice. Twenty-six years since a bunch of American college hockey players, fresh off Herb Brooks' months-long boot camp, peeked through the Russians' veil of invincibility and forged a miracle. Twenty-six years since the proudest American Olympic moment this side of Jesse Owens.

Now, 26 years later, here was multimillionaire National Hockey League veteran Mike Modano, standing before the American media just seconds after the United States lost, 4-3, to Finland. Here was Modano, the Dallas Stars center, trying to explain how Team USA could have laid such an egg on the international stage, how they could have gone 1-4-1 in this tournament and exited with an eighth-place finish.

Here was Modano, another American who just doesn't get it.

"Basically, we were on our own as far as arrangements, flights, hotels, tickets," Modano said, using a post-game interview to slam USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur hockey. "Normally, that's something you don't have to think about. That's something that should be taken care of so we don't have to worry about it and can focus on hockey and get ready to play."

Ah, so that was it. USA Hockey forgot to put a mint on Modano's pillow every evening. (LMAO)

Can you imagine Mike Eruzione or Jim Craig trying that one 26 years ago? They'd still be skating "Herbies" right now.

How do you think that sounds to team general manager Don Waddell, who was one of the last players cut from the 1980 Olympic team? When he was asked after the game how he felt now, having come so far only to see his dream die, he went silent, finally breaking down in tears.

Modano, though, he wouldn't shut up. His punchless team had just come all this way, leaving with only a victory over Kazakhstan and a tie with Latvia to show for its troubles, and he was whining about a bunch of old men living in Colorado Springs.

Now we've heard it all: Bad auras, crazy bus schedules and this. :lol:

"Everybody has to do it," said Finn forward Teemu Selanne. "There's no help. Nobody had direct flights here. It's not easy for anybody. You have jet lag and then you play six games in eight nights."

If it means anything, Team Canada had all its travel and ticket issues handled by its federation. Lot of good that did: Wayne Gretzky's boys committed the ultimate national sin, losing later in the night to the Russian Federation.

The Americans didn't fail to reach the medal round for the fifth time in seven Olympics because Modano and friends had to go to travelocity.com. They failed for a number of other reasons, including the fact they played like a bunch of testosterone-addled cementheads in this quarterfinal game.

They failed because:

They were too old.

Team USA's braintrust knew that coming in, and feared the team's age might doom them, but they had very few options. Right now, American hockey exists in a generational vacuum. The best players are all either too old or too young. Twenty-six years after the miracle, it would appear American hockey hasn't taken full advantage.

"It (age) was a concern of mine before the Games, although I thought (44-year-old Chris) Chelios was terrific," said Team USA head coach Peter Laviolette. "It affected us a little. We didn't seem to have the same pop as a group."

This team, like most American all-star teams, cannot learn quickly how to play as a team.

The U.S. basketball team's disintegration in Athens is the ultimate example. We are a nation of rugged individualists. It is our blessing and our curse. And our players are trained in a number of different systems, while the Swedes, Finns, Czechs and others grow up playing together, all of them groomed in the same, general way.

"We are a little country," Selanne said, smiling a jagged, bloody smile, courtesy of a Derian Hatcher stick. "We enjoy playing together. That's what it takes."

It's worth pointing out that Laviolette and Waddell passionately defended USA Hockey, even though nobody outside of the hockey world knows who they are. Apprised of Modano's comments, Waddell said, "That's very disappointing."

And it is, even if there's a germ of truth behind his general contention that the organization needs new blood and better leadership. What could inspire an athlete to come off the ice after a terrible loss and lay the blame at the feet of USA Hockey? Is that the pressing issue when you've just been punted and sent home a mere eight days after your arrival?

Puh-leeze.

As Modano spoke, Selanne stood a few feet away, speaking to several reporters. There was still dried blood on his chin. He couldn't have been any happier.

"I'm disappointed I lost three teeth," he said. "But that's a little sacrifice to try for a gold medal."

Twenty-six years after an overmatched bunch of amateurs gave their heart and soul for a gold medal, that now seems like a price the Americans are no longer willing to pay.

[nccanes]

It's interesting that Modano tucked tail and ran even after a night to sleep on it. I know we all get that sometimes people react w/o thinking only to regret it later. But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

I've read some of the 'he was only being honest' in other places, but I call Bullsh*t on that. I'm sure after an ugly loss every day in the NHL, a player might feel that their coach or teammate or goalie let them down, but they sure as hell aren't going to stand in the locker room and say "Turco sucked tonight" or "I don't know what coach was thinking" or "our team services gave us crappy food before the game".

If you are part of a "team", then you respect the rest of them enough to not stick a knife in their back in a public forum - even if you are right. Talk about not buying into the concept.

[nccanes]

It's interesting that Modano tucked tail and ran even after a night to sleep on it. I know we all get that sometimes people react w/o thinking only to regret it later. But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

I've read some of the 'he was only being honest' in other places, but I call Bullsh*t on that. I'm sure after an ugly loss every day in the NHL, a player might feel that their coach or teammate or goalie let them down, but they sure as hell aren't going to stand in the locker room and say "Turco sucked tonight" or "I don't know what coach was thinking" or "our team services gave us crappy food before the game".

If you are part of a "team", then you respect the rest of them enough to not stick a knife in their back in a public forum - even if you are right. Talk about not buying into the concept.

[nccanes]

It's interesting that Modano tucked tail and ran even after a night to sleep on it. I know we all get that sometimes people react w/o thinking only to regret it later. But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

I've read some of the 'he was only being honest' in other places, but I call Bullsh*t on that. I'm sure after an ugly loss every day in the NHL, a player might feel that their coach or teammate or goalie let them down, but they sure as hell aren't going to stand in the locker room and say "Turco sucked tonight" or "I don't know what coach was thinking" or "our team services gave us crappy food before the game".

If you are part of a "team", then you respect the rest of them enough to not stick a knife in their back in a public forum - even if you are right. Talk about not buying into the concept.

[nccanes]

It's interesting that Modano tucked tail and ran even after a night to sleep on it. I know we all get that sometimes people react w/o thinking only to regret it later. But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

I've read some of the 'he was only being honest' in other places, but I call Bullsh*t on that. I'm sure after an ugly loss every day in the NHL, a player might feel that their coach or teammate or goalie let them down, but they sure as hell aren't going to stand in the locker room and say "Turco sucked tonight" or "I don't know what coach was thinking" or "our team services gave us crappy food before the game".

If you are part of a "team", then you respect the rest of them enough to not stick a knife in their back in a public forum - even if you are right. Talk about not buying into the concept.

[nccanes]

It's interesting that Modano tucked tail and ran even after a night to sleep on it. I know we all get that sometimes people react w/o thinking only to regret it later. But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

I've read some of the 'he was only being honest' in other places, but I call Bullsh*t on that. I'm sure after an ugly loss every day in the NHL, a player might feel that their coach or teammate or goalie let them down, but they sure as hell aren't going to stand in the locker room and say "Turco sucked tonight" or "I don't know what coach was thinking" or "our team services gave us crappy food before the game".

If you are part of a "team", then you respect the rest of them enough to not stick a knife in their back in a public forum - even if you are right. Talk about not buying into the concept.

[nccanes]

It's interesting that Modano tucked tail and ran even after a night to sleep on it. I know we all get that sometimes people react w/o thinking only to regret it later. But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

I've read some of the 'he was only being honest' in other places, but I call Bullsh*t on that. I'm sure after an ugly loss every day in the NHL, a player might feel that their coach or teammate or goalie let them down, but they sure as hell aren't going to stand in the locker room and say "Turco sucked tonight" or "I don't know what coach was thinking" or "our team services gave us crappy food before the game".

If you are part of a "team", then you respect the rest of them enough to not stick a knife in their back in a public forum - even if you are right. Talk about not buying into the concept.

[nccanes]

It's interesting that Modano tucked tail and ran even after a night to sleep on it. I know we all get that sometimes people react w/o thinking only to regret it later. But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

I've read some of the 'he was only being honest' in other places, but I call Bullsh*t on that. I'm sure after an ugly loss every day in the NHL, a player might feel that their coach or teammate or goalie let them down, but they sure as hell aren't going to stand in the locker room and say "Turco sucked tonight" or "I don't know what coach was thinking" or "our team services gave us crappy food before the game".

If you are part of a "team", then you respect the rest of them enough to not stick a knife in their back in a public forum - even if you are right. Talk about not buying into the concept.

[CaniacKikiBB13]

But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

Here's the article about it from tsn:
TORINO, Italy (AP) - Mike Modano packed up his stuff and left Italy on Thursday morning, skipping a final meeting with his Olympic teammates after they were eliminated a night earlier in the men's hockey quarter-finals.

USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer said the longtime Dallas Stars forward - who sharply criticized team management after the Americans' elimination Wednesday - was the only member of the 23-player squad not to gather at the arena where the Americans were knocked out by Finland.

Modano lashed out after he was benched by coach Peter Laviolette for most of the third period of the 4-3 loss.

"A lot of guys have been there for many years and maybe we need some new blood in there to run things a little differently," said Modano, who has represented the U.S. in 11 international competitions. "It's probably time some things changed."

When pressed for details of his complaint, Modano cited logistical problems in getting the full team of NHL players and their families over to Europe.

"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not," he said. "Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that."

Modano caught a flight home Thursday. The rest of the team was scheduled to leave Friday morning, before the start of the weekend's medal-round games.

"He's emotional after the games," Los Angeles Kings forward Craig Conroy said. "I don't know if he was just emotional or if he really meant it."

New Jersey forward Brian Gionta didn't join Modano in ripping USA Hockey leaders.

"I've only played in a couple of world championships and world juniors," Gionta said. "He's been around a lot longer, so he knows more than I would."

Modano is not expected to be in the roster mix for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, when he will be near 40.

Other mainstays not expected back for Vancouver include familiar names such as Chris Chelios, Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk. They are likely to be replaced by younger players like Paul Martin, Ryan Miller and Bobby Ryan.

"We have a lot of good, young players at USA Hockey and a lot of guys coming," general manager Don Waddell said. "We can take the positives out of this game and out of the whole tournament."

USA Hockey is in transition and not many expected the American team to skate off with a medal this year. At the same time, most anticipated the team would do more than just tie Latvia and beat Kazakhstan - both teams with only a handful of NHL players.

Against elite clubs the U.S. lost all four of its games, each by one goal. Tkachuk, a former 50-goal scorer in the NHL, had no points - nor did New York Islanders Jason Blake and Mark Parrish.

"We're out of the tournament, but certainly it's not like it's something we have to blow up and start over, because every game we were right in there," Waddell said.

Instead of going with a strict youth movement or a team laden with veteran leadership, Waddell and his staff tried to pick players off to good starts in the NHL season.

So 44-year-old captain Chelios made it as did immobile defenceman Derian Hatcher. Brian Leetch, an American stalwart on defence, wasn't chosen because of injury troubles. Martin is still developing his game with the Devils.

Waddell defended the approach.

"The oldest guy in the tournament was one of our better players," he said of Chelios. "Unfortunately not everybody had the jump that he had. If we did, we'd probably be talking about something differently."

For the coach, USA Hockey selected Carolina Hurricanes coach Laviolette, a former Olympic player and international coach, over candidates who included John Tortorella - who led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title.

The Americans' goaltending - thought to be their biggest weakness- mostly held up.

Miller, injured when the team was picked in December, was kept home as an injury reserve, even though he played the best in the weeks leading up to the Olympics.

John Grahame started the opening 3-3 tie with Latvia. Rick DiPietro then went 1-2 in the next three games despite allowing only five goals. After a one-game break in which Robert Esche lost to Russia in a meaningless contest, DiPietro returned but didn't show the same fine form in the final defeat.

DiPietro, who is 24, should battle it out with Miller, 25, for the top goaltending spot in 2010.

After three Olympics featuring NHL players, the U.S. has only one silver medal and two controversial departures to show for it.

In the 1998 Nagano Games, an also-ran finish led to the trashing of rooms by U.S. players. Now USA Hockey is dealing with Modano's cranky exit interview.

"It's very disappointing," Waddell said. "Sometimes players in the emotion of the game don't realize everything that goes on behind the scenes.

"As a player, I don't expect them to know that. Players are here for one purpose and that is to play hockey and win games and let us worry about the issues that arise from it."

An ankle injury kept Waddell off the 1980 Miracle On Ice team, but a successful career as an executive with the NHL and USA Hockey landed him a second chance at these Olympics.

Coming up short definitely hurt, and Waddell choked back tears as he tried to explain how much.

"Well, it's disappointing for sure," he said, "but we'll learn from it and find a way to move forward."

[CaniacKikiBB13]

But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

Here's the article about it from tsn:
TORINO, Italy (AP) - Mike Modano packed up his stuff and left Italy on Thursday morning, skipping a final meeting with his Olympic teammates after they were eliminated a night earlier in the men's hockey quarter-finals.

USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer said the longtime Dallas Stars forward - who sharply criticized team management after the Americans' elimination Wednesday - was the only member of the 23-player squad not to gather at the arena where the Americans were knocked out by Finland.

Modano lashed out after he was benched by coach Peter Laviolette for most of the third period of the 4-3 loss.

"A lot of guys have been there for many years and maybe we need some new blood in there to run things a little differently," said Modano, who has represented the U.S. in 11 international competitions. "It's probably time some things changed."

When pressed for details of his complaint, Modano cited logistical problems in getting the full team of NHL players and their families over to Europe.

"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not," he said. "Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that."

Modano caught a flight home Thursday. The rest of the team was scheduled to leave Friday morning, before the start of the weekend's medal-round games.

"He's emotional after the games," Los Angeles Kings forward Craig Conroy said. "I don't know if he was just emotional or if he really meant it."

New Jersey forward Brian Gionta didn't join Modano in ripping USA Hockey leaders.

"I've only played in a couple of world championships and world juniors," Gionta said. "He's been around a lot longer, so he knows more than I would."

Modano is not expected to be in the roster mix for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, when he will be near 40.

Other mainstays not expected back for Vancouver include familiar names such as Chris Chelios, Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk. They are likely to be replaced by younger players like Paul Martin, Ryan Miller and Bobby Ryan.

"We have a lot of good, young players at USA Hockey and a lot of guys coming," general manager Don Waddell said. "We can take the positives out of this game and out of the whole tournament."

USA Hockey is in transition and not many expected the American team to skate off with a medal this year. At the same time, most anticipated the team would do more than just tie Latvia and beat Kazakhstan - both teams with only a handful of NHL players.

Against elite clubs the U.S. lost all four of its games, each by one goal. Tkachuk, a former 50-goal scorer in the NHL, had no points - nor did New York Islanders Jason Blake and Mark Parrish.

"We're out of the tournament, but certainly it's not like it's something we have to blow up and start over, because every game we were right in there," Waddell said.

Instead of going with a strict youth movement or a team laden with veteran leadership, Waddell and his staff tried to pick players off to good starts in the NHL season.

So 44-year-old captain Chelios made it as did immobile defenceman Derian Hatcher. Brian Leetch, an American stalwart on defence, wasn't chosen because of injury troubles. Martin is still developing his game with the Devils.

Waddell defended the approach.

"The oldest guy in the tournament was one of our better players," he said of Chelios. "Unfortunately not everybody had the jump that he had. If we did, we'd probably be talking about something differently."

For the coach, USA Hockey selected Carolina Hurricanes coach Laviolette, a former Olympic player and international coach, over candidates who included John Tortorella - who led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title.

The Americans' goaltending - thought to be their biggest weakness- mostly held up.

Miller, injured when the team was picked in December, was kept home as an injury reserve, even though he played the best in the weeks leading up to the Olympics.

John Grahame started the opening 3-3 tie with Latvia. Rick DiPietro then went 1-2 in the next three games despite allowing only five goals. After a one-game break in which Robert Esche lost to Russia in a meaningless contest, DiPietro returned but didn't show the same fine form in the final defeat.

DiPietro, who is 24, should battle it out with Miller, 25, for the top goaltending spot in 2010.

After three Olympics featuring NHL players, the U.S. has only one silver medal and two controversial departures to show for it.

In the 1998 Nagano Games, an also-ran finish led to the trashing of rooms by U.S. players. Now USA Hockey is dealing with Modano's cranky exit interview.

"It's very disappointing," Waddell said. "Sometimes players in the emotion of the game don't realize everything that goes on behind the scenes.

"As a player, I don't expect them to know that. Players are here for one purpose and that is to play hockey and win games and let us worry about the issues that arise from it."

An ankle injury kept Waddell off the 1980 Miracle On Ice team, but a successful career as an executive with the NHL and USA Hockey landed him a second chance at these Olympics.

Coming up short definitely hurt, and Waddell choked back tears as he tried to explain how much.

"Well, it's disappointing for sure," he said, "but we'll learn from it and find a way to move forward."

[CaniacKikiBB13]

But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

Here's the article about it from tsn:
TORINO, Italy (AP) - Mike Modano packed up his stuff and left Italy on Thursday morning, skipping a final meeting with his Olympic teammates after they were eliminated a night earlier in the men's hockey quarter-finals.

USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer said the longtime Dallas Stars forward - who sharply criticized team management after the Americans' elimination Wednesday - was the only member of the 23-player squad not to gather at the arena where the Americans were knocked out by Finland.

Modano lashed out after he was benched by coach Peter Laviolette for most of the third period of the 4-3 loss.

"A lot of guys have been there for many years and maybe we need some new blood in there to run things a little differently," said Modano, who has represented the U.S. in 11 international competitions. "It's probably time some things changed."

When pressed for details of his complaint, Modano cited logistical problems in getting the full team of NHL players and their families over to Europe.

"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not," he said. "Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that."

Modano caught a flight home Thursday. The rest of the team was scheduled to leave Friday morning, before the start of the weekend's medal-round games.

"He's emotional after the games," Los Angeles Kings forward Craig Conroy said. "I don't know if he was just emotional or if he really meant it."

New Jersey forward Brian Gionta didn't join Modano in ripping USA Hockey leaders.

"I've only played in a couple of world championships and world juniors," Gionta said. "He's been around a lot longer, so he knows more than I would."

Modano is not expected to be in the roster mix for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, when he will be near 40.

Other mainstays not expected back for Vancouver include familiar names such as Chris Chelios, Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk. They are likely to be replaced by younger players like Paul Martin, Ryan Miller and Bobby Ryan.

"We have a lot of good, young players at USA Hockey and a lot of guys coming," general manager Don Waddell said. "We can take the positives out of this game and out of the whole tournament."

USA Hockey is in transition and not many expected the American team to skate off with a medal this year. At the same time, most anticipated the team would do more than just tie Latvia and beat Kazakhstan - both teams with only a handful of NHL players.

Against elite clubs the U.S. lost all four of its games, each by one goal. Tkachuk, a former 50-goal scorer in the NHL, had no points - nor did New York Islanders Jason Blake and Mark Parrish.

"We're out of the tournament, but certainly it's not like it's something we have to blow up and start over, because every game we were right in there," Waddell said.

Instead of going with a strict youth movement or a team laden with veteran leadership, Waddell and his staff tried to pick players off to good starts in the NHL season.

So 44-year-old captain Chelios made it as did immobile defenceman Derian Hatcher. Brian Leetch, an American stalwart on defence, wasn't chosen because of injury troubles. Martin is still developing his game with the Devils.

Waddell defended the approach.

"The oldest guy in the tournament was one of our better players," he said of Chelios. "Unfortunately not everybody had the jump that he had. If we did, we'd probably be talking about something differently."

For the coach, USA Hockey selected Carolina Hurricanes coach Laviolette, a former Olympic player and international coach, over candidates who included John Tortorella - who led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title.

The Americans' goaltending - thought to be their biggest weakness- mostly held up.

Miller, injured when the team was picked in December, was kept home as an injury reserve, even though he played the best in the weeks leading up to the Olympics.

John Grahame started the opening 3-3 tie with Latvia. Rick DiPietro then went 1-2 in the next three games despite allowing only five goals. After a one-game break in which Robert Esche lost to Russia in a meaningless contest, DiPietro returned but didn't show the same fine form in the final defeat.

DiPietro, who is 24, should battle it out with Miller, 25, for the top goaltending spot in 2010.

After three Olympics featuring NHL players, the U.S. has only one silver medal and two controversial departures to show for it.

In the 1998 Nagano Games, an also-ran finish led to the trashing of rooms by U.S. players. Now USA Hockey is dealing with Modano's cranky exit interview.

"It's very disappointing," Waddell said. "Sometimes players in the emotion of the game don't realize everything that goes on behind the scenes.

"As a player, I don't expect them to know that. Players are here for one purpose and that is to play hockey and win games and let us worry about the issues that arise from it."

An ankle injury kept Waddell off the 1980 Miracle On Ice team, but a successful career as an executive with the NHL and USA Hockey landed him a second chance at these Olympics.

Coming up short definitely hurt, and Waddell choked back tears as he tried to explain how much.

"Well, it's disappointing for sure," he said, "but we'll learn from it and find a way to move forward."

[CaniacKikiBB13]

But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

Here's the article about it from tsn:
TORINO, Italy (AP) - Mike Modano packed up his stuff and left Italy on Thursday morning, skipping a final meeting with his Olympic teammates after they were eliminated a night earlier in the men's hockey quarter-finals.

USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer said the longtime Dallas Stars forward - who sharply criticized team management after the Americans' elimination Wednesday - was the only member of the 23-player squad not to gather at the arena where the Americans were knocked out by Finland.

Modano lashed out after he was benched by coach Peter Laviolette for most of the third period of the 4-3 loss.

"A lot of guys have been there for many years and maybe we need some new blood in there to run things a little differently," said Modano, who has represented the U.S. in 11 international competitions. "It's probably time some things changed."

When pressed for details of his complaint, Modano cited logistical problems in getting the full team of NHL players and their families over to Europe.

"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not," he said. "Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that."

Modano caught a flight home Thursday. The rest of the team was scheduled to leave Friday morning, before the start of the weekend's medal-round games.

"He's emotional after the games," Los Angeles Kings forward Craig Conroy said. "I don't know if he was just emotional or if he really meant it."

New Jersey forward Brian Gionta didn't join Modano in ripping USA Hockey leaders.

"I've only played in a couple of world championships and world juniors," Gionta said. "He's been around a lot longer, so he knows more than I would."

Modano is not expected to be in the roster mix for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, when he will be near 40.

Other mainstays not expected back for Vancouver include familiar names such as Chris Chelios, Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk. They are likely to be replaced by younger players like Paul Martin, Ryan Miller and Bobby Ryan.

"We have a lot of good, young players at USA Hockey and a lot of guys coming," general manager Don Waddell said. "We can take the positives out of this game and out of the whole tournament."

USA Hockey is in transition and not many expected the American team to skate off with a medal this year. At the same time, most anticipated the team would do more than just tie Latvia and beat Kazakhstan - both teams with only a handful of NHL players.

Against elite clubs the U.S. lost all four of its games, each by one goal. Tkachuk, a former 50-goal scorer in the NHL, had no points - nor did New York Islanders Jason Blake and Mark Parrish.

"We're out of the tournament, but certainly it's not like it's something we have to blow up and start over, because every game we were right in there," Waddell said.

Instead of going with a strict youth movement or a team laden with veteran leadership, Waddell and his staff tried to pick players off to good starts in the NHL season.

So 44-year-old captain Chelios made it as did immobile defenceman Derian Hatcher. Brian Leetch, an American stalwart on defence, wasn't chosen because of injury troubles. Martin is still developing his game with the Devils.

Waddell defended the approach.

"The oldest guy in the tournament was one of our better players," he said of Chelios. "Unfortunately not everybody had the jump that he had. If we did, we'd probably be talking about something differently."

For the coach, USA Hockey selected Carolina Hurricanes coach Laviolette, a former Olympic player and international coach, over candidates who included John Tortorella - who led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title.

The Americans' goaltending - thought to be their biggest weakness- mostly held up.

Miller, injured when the team was picked in December, was kept home as an injury reserve, even though he played the best in the weeks leading up to the Olympics.

John Grahame started the opening 3-3 tie with Latvia. Rick DiPietro then went 1-2 in the next three games despite allowing only five goals. After a one-game break in which Robert Esche lost to Russia in a meaningless contest, DiPietro returned but didn't show the same fine form in the final defeat.

DiPietro, who is 24, should battle it out with Miller, 25, for the top goaltending spot in 2010.

After three Olympics featuring NHL players, the U.S. has only one silver medal and two controversial departures to show for it.

In the 1998 Nagano Games, an also-ran finish led to the trashing of rooms by U.S. players. Now USA Hockey is dealing with Modano's cranky exit interview.

"It's very disappointing," Waddell said. "Sometimes players in the emotion of the game don't realize everything that goes on behind the scenes.

"As a player, I don't expect them to know that. Players are here for one purpose and that is to play hockey and win games and let us worry about the issues that arise from it."

An ankle injury kept Waddell off the 1980 Miracle On Ice team, but a successful career as an executive with the NHL and USA Hockey landed him a second chance at these Olympics.

Coming up short definitely hurt, and Waddell choked back tears as he tried to explain how much.

"Well, it's disappointing for sure," he said, "but we'll learn from it and find a way to move forward."

[CaniacKikiBB13]

But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

Here's the article about it from tsn:
TORINO, Italy (AP) - Mike Modano packed up his stuff and left Italy on Thursday morning, skipping a final meeting with his Olympic teammates after they were eliminated a night earlier in the men's hockey quarter-finals.

USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer said the longtime Dallas Stars forward - who sharply criticized team management after the Americans' elimination Wednesday - was the only member of the 23-player squad not to gather at the arena where the Americans were knocked out by Finland.

Modano lashed out after he was benched by coach Peter Laviolette for most of the third period of the 4-3 loss.

"A lot of guys have been there for many years and maybe we need some new blood in there to run things a little differently," said Modano, who has represented the U.S. in 11 international competitions. "It's probably time some things changed."

When pressed for details of his complaint, Modano cited logistical problems in getting the full team of NHL players and their families over to Europe.

"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not," he said. "Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that."

Modano caught a flight home Thursday. The rest of the team was scheduled to leave Friday morning, before the start of the weekend's medal-round games.

"He's emotional after the games," Los Angeles Kings forward Craig Conroy said. "I don't know if he was just emotional or if he really meant it."

New Jersey forward Brian Gionta didn't join Modano in ripping USA Hockey leaders.

"I've only played in a couple of world championships and world juniors," Gionta said. "He's been around a lot longer, so he knows more than I would."

Modano is not expected to be in the roster mix for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, when he will be near 40.

Other mainstays not expected back for Vancouver include familiar names such as Chris Chelios, Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk. They are likely to be replaced by younger players like Paul Martin, Ryan Miller and Bobby Ryan.

"We have a lot of good, young players at USA Hockey and a lot of guys coming," general manager Don Waddell said. "We can take the positives out of this game and out of the whole tournament."

USA Hockey is in transition and not many expected the American team to skate off with a medal this year. At the same time, most anticipated the team would do more than just tie Latvia and beat Kazakhstan - both teams with only a handful of NHL players.

Against elite clubs the U.S. lost all four of its games, each by one goal. Tkachuk, a former 50-goal scorer in the NHL, had no points - nor did New York Islanders Jason Blake and Mark Parrish.

"We're out of the tournament, but certainly it's not like it's something we have to blow up and start over, because every game we were right in there," Waddell said.

Instead of going with a strict youth movement or a team laden with veteran leadership, Waddell and his staff tried to pick players off to good starts in the NHL season.

So 44-year-old captain Chelios made it as did immobile defenceman Derian Hatcher. Brian Leetch, an American stalwart on defence, wasn't chosen because of injury troubles. Martin is still developing his game with the Devils.

Waddell defended the approach.

"The oldest guy in the tournament was one of our better players," he said of Chelios. "Unfortunately not everybody had the jump that he had. If we did, we'd probably be talking about something differently."

For the coach, USA Hockey selected Carolina Hurricanes coach Laviolette, a former Olympic player and international coach, over candidates who included John Tortorella - who led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title.

The Americans' goaltending - thought to be their biggest weakness- mostly held up.

Miller, injured when the team was picked in December, was kept home as an injury reserve, even though he played the best in the weeks leading up to the Olympics.

John Grahame started the opening 3-3 tie with Latvia. Rick DiPietro then went 1-2 in the next three games despite allowing only five goals. After a one-game break in which Robert Esche lost to Russia in a meaningless contest, DiPietro returned but didn't show the same fine form in the final defeat.

DiPietro, who is 24, should battle it out with Miller, 25, for the top goaltending spot in 2010.

After three Olympics featuring NHL players, the U.S. has only one silver medal and two controversial departures to show for it.

In the 1998 Nagano Games, an also-ran finish led to the trashing of rooms by U.S. players. Now USA Hockey is dealing with Modano's cranky exit interview.

"It's very disappointing," Waddell said. "Sometimes players in the emotion of the game don't realize everything that goes on behind the scenes.

"As a player, I don't expect them to know that. Players are here for one purpose and that is to play hockey and win games and let us worry about the issues that arise from it."

An ankle injury kept Waddell off the 1980 Miracle On Ice team, but a successful career as an executive with the NHL and USA Hockey landed him a second chance at these Olympics.

Coming up short definitely hurt, and Waddell choked back tears as he tried to explain how much.

"Well, it's disappointing for sure," he said, "but we'll learn from it and find a way to move forward."

[CaniacKikiBB13]

But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

Here's the article about it from tsn:
TORINO, Italy (AP) - Mike Modano packed up his stuff and left Italy on Thursday morning, skipping a final meeting with his Olympic teammates after they were eliminated a night earlier in the men's hockey quarter-finals.

USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer said the longtime Dallas Stars forward - who sharply criticized team management after the Americans' elimination Wednesday - was the only member of the 23-player squad not to gather at the arena where the Americans were knocked out by Finland.

Modano lashed out after he was benched by coach Peter Laviolette for most of the third period of the 4-3 loss.

"A lot of guys have been there for many years and maybe we need some new blood in there to run things a little differently," said Modano, who has represented the U.S. in 11 international competitions. "It's probably time some things changed."

When pressed for details of his complaint, Modano cited logistical problems in getting the full team of NHL players and their families over to Europe.

"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not," he said. "Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that."

Modano caught a flight home Thursday. The rest of the team was scheduled to leave Friday morning, before the start of the weekend's medal-round games.

"He's emotional after the games," Los Angeles Kings forward Craig Conroy said. "I don't know if he was just emotional or if he really meant it."

New Jersey forward Brian Gionta didn't join Modano in ripping USA Hockey leaders.

"I've only played in a couple of world championships and world juniors," Gionta said. "He's been around a lot longer, so he knows more than I would."

Modano is not expected to be in the roster mix for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, when he will be near 40.

Other mainstays not expected back for Vancouver include familiar names such as Chris Chelios, Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk. They are likely to be replaced by younger players like Paul Martin, Ryan Miller and Bobby Ryan.

"We have a lot of good, young players at USA Hockey and a lot of guys coming," general manager Don Waddell said. "We can take the positives out of this game and out of the whole tournament."

USA Hockey is in transition and not many expected the American team to skate off with a medal this year. At the same time, most anticipated the team would do more than just tie Latvia and beat Kazakhstan - both teams with only a handful of NHL players.

Against elite clubs the U.S. lost all four of its games, each by one goal. Tkachuk, a former 50-goal scorer in the NHL, had no points - nor did New York Islanders Jason Blake and Mark Parrish.

"We're out of the tournament, but certainly it's not like it's something we have to blow up and start over, because every game we were right in there," Waddell said.

Instead of going with a strict youth movement or a team laden with veteran leadership, Waddell and his staff tried to pick players off to good starts in the NHL season.

So 44-year-old captain Chelios made it as did immobile defenceman Derian Hatcher. Brian Leetch, an American stalwart on defence, wasn't chosen because of injury troubles. Martin is still developing his game with the Devils.

Waddell defended the approach.

"The oldest guy in the tournament was one of our better players," he said of Chelios. "Unfortunately not everybody had the jump that he had. If we did, we'd probably be talking about something differently."

For the coach, USA Hockey selected Carolina Hurricanes coach Laviolette, a former Olympic player and international coach, over candidates who included John Tortorella - who led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title.

The Americans' goaltending - thought to be their biggest weakness- mostly held up.

Miller, injured when the team was picked in December, was kept home as an injury reserve, even though he played the best in the weeks leading up to the Olympics.

John Grahame started the opening 3-3 tie with Latvia. Rick DiPietro then went 1-2 in the next three games despite allowing only five goals. After a one-game break in which Robert Esche lost to Russia in a meaningless contest, DiPietro returned but didn't show the same fine form in the final defeat.

DiPietro, who is 24, should battle it out with Miller, 25, for the top goaltending spot in 2010.

After three Olympics featuring NHL players, the U.S. has only one silver medal and two controversial departures to show for it.

In the 1998 Nagano Games, an also-ran finish led to the trashing of rooms by U.S. players. Now USA Hockey is dealing with Modano's cranky exit interview.

"It's very disappointing," Waddell said. "Sometimes players in the emotion of the game don't realize everything that goes on behind the scenes.

"As a player, I don't expect them to know that. Players are here for one purpose and that is to play hockey and win games and let us worry about the issues that arise from it."

An ankle injury kept Waddell off the 1980 Miracle On Ice team, but a successful career as an executive with the NHL and USA Hockey landed him a second chance at these Olympics.

Coming up short definitely hurt, and Waddell choked back tears as he tried to explain how much.

"Well, it's disappointing for sure," he said, "but we'll learn from it and find a way to move forward."

[CaniacKikiBB13]

But the fact that the following day, he was the only one (confirmed by USA officials later today) that didn't attend the final meeting?

Here's the article about it from tsn:
TORINO, Italy (AP) - Mike Modano packed up his stuff and left Italy on Thursday morning, skipping a final meeting with his Olympic teammates after they were eliminated a night earlier in the men's hockey quarter-finals.

USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer said the longtime Dallas Stars forward - who sharply criticized team management after the Americans' elimination Wednesday - was the only member of the 23-player squad not to gather at the arena where the Americans were knocked out by Finland.

Modano lashed out after he was benched by coach Peter Laviolette for most of the third period of the 4-3 loss.

"A lot of guys have been there for many years and maybe we need some new blood in there to run things a little differently," said Modano, who has represented the U.S. in 11 international competitions. "It's probably time some things changed."

When pressed for details of his complaint, Modano cited logistical problems in getting the full team of NHL players and their families over to Europe.

"You'd think USA Hockey would be a well-oiled machine, but it's not," he said. "Basically we were on our own for hotels, tickets, flights, stuff like that."

Modano caught a flight home Thursday. The rest of the team was scheduled to leave Friday morning, before the start of the weekend's medal-round games.

"He's emotional after the games," Los Angeles Kings forward Craig Conroy said. "I don't know if he was just emotional or if he really meant it."

New Jersey forward Brian Gionta didn't join Modano in ripping USA Hockey leaders.

"I've only played in a couple of world championships and world juniors," Gionta said. "He's been around a lot longer, so he knows more than I would."

Modano is not expected to be in the roster mix for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, when he will be near 40.

Other mainstays not expected back for Vancouver include familiar names such as Chris Chelios, Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk. They are likely to be replaced by younger players like Paul Martin, Ryan Miller and Bobby Ryan.

"We have a lot of good, young players at USA Hockey and a lot of guys coming," general manager Don Waddell said. "We can take the positives out of this game and out of the whole tournament."

USA Hockey is in transition and not many expected the American team to skate off with a medal this year. At the same time, most anticipated the team would do more than just tie Latvia and beat Kazakhstan - both teams with only a handful of NHL players.

Against elite clubs the U.S. lost all four of its games, each by one goal. Tkachuk, a former 50-goal scorer in the NHL, had no points - nor did New York Islanders Jason Blake and Mark Parrish.

"We're out of the tournament, but certainly it's not like it's something we have to blow up and start over, because every game we were right in there," Waddell said.

Instead of going with a strict youth movement or a team laden with veteran leadership, Waddell and his staff tried to pick players off to good starts in the NHL season.

So 44-year-old captain Chelios made it as did immobile defenceman Derian Hatcher. Brian Leetch, an American stalwart on defence, wasn't chosen because of injury troubles. Martin is still developing his game with the Devils.

Waddell defended the approach.

"The oldest guy in the tournament was one of our better players," he said of Chelios. "Unfortunately not everybody had the jump that he had. If we did, we'd probably be talking about something differently."

For the coach, USA Hockey selected Carolina Hurricanes coach Laviolette, a former Olympic player and international coach, over candidates who included John Tortorella - who led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title.

The Americans' goaltending - thought to be their biggest weakness- mostly held up.

Miller, injured when the team was picked in December, was kept home as an injury reserve, even though he played the best in the weeks leading up to the Olympics.

John Grahame started the opening 3-3 tie with Latvia. Rick DiPietro then went 1-2 in the next three games despite allowing only five goals. After a one-game break in which Robert Esche lost to Russia in a meaningless contest, DiPietro returned but didn't show the same fine form in the final defeat.

DiPietro, who is 24, should battle it out with Miller, 25, for the top goaltending spot in 2010.

After three Olympics featuring NHL players, the U.S. has only one silver medal and two controversial departures to show for it.

In the 1998 Nagano Games, an also-ran finish led to the trashing of rooms by U.S. players. Now USA Hockey is dealing with Modano's cranky exit interview.

"It's very disappointing," Waddell said. "Sometimes players in the emotion of the game don't realize everything that goes on behind the scenes.

"As a player, I don't expect them to know that. Players are here for one purpose and that is to play hockey and win games and let us worry about the issues that arise from it."

An ankle injury kept Waddell off the 1980 Miracle On Ice team, but a successful career as an executive with the NHL and USA Hockey landed him a second chance at these Olympics.

Coming up short definitely hurt, and Waddell choked back tears as he tried to explain how much.

"Well, it's disappointing for sure," he said, "but we'll learn from it and find a way to move forward."

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.


Yeah, I was about to have to call in to XM today. Espo, I think it was, was going on and on about how classy Modano is and how he never complains. LMAO. I've always thought he was one of the biggest ***** and moaners. :roll:

Think he packed up and left because he didn't want to have to face everyone after making a completely and total ass of himself?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.


Yeah, I was about to have to call in to XM today. Espo, I think it was, was going on and on about how classy Modano is and how he never complains. LMAO. I've always thought he was one of the biggest ***** and moaners. :roll:

Think he packed up and left because he didn't want to have to face everyone after making a completely and total ass of himself?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.


Yeah, I was about to have to call in to XM today. Espo, I think it was, was going on and on about how classy Modano is and how he never complains. LMAO. I've always thought he was one of the biggest ***** and moaners. :roll:

Think he packed up and left because he didn't want to have to face everyone after making a completely and total ass of himself?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.


Yeah, I was about to have to call in to XM today. Espo, I think it was, was going on and on about how classy Modano is and how he never complains. LMAO. I've always thought he was one of the biggest ***** and moaners. :roll:

Think he packed up and left because he didn't want to have to face everyone after making a completely and total ass of himself?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.


Yeah, I was about to have to call in to XM today. Espo, I think it was, was going on and on about how classy Modano is and how he never complains. LMAO. I've always thought he was one of the biggest ***** and moaners. :roll:

Think he packed up and left because he didn't want to have to face everyone after making a completely and total ass of himself?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.


Yeah, I was about to have to call in to XM today. Espo, I think it was, was going on and on about how classy Modano is and how he never complains. LMAO. I've always thought he was one of the biggest ***** and moaners. :roll:

Think he packed up and left because he didn't want to have to face everyone after making a completely and total ass of himself?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Modano is a notorious whiner who always bleats and moans when things don't go his way. I remember a playoff series filled with his b*tching to the media about all the reasons the losses weren't the players' fault.


Yeah, I was about to have to call in to XM today. Espo, I think it was, was going on and on about how classy Modano is and how he never complains. LMAO. I've always thought he was one of the biggest ***** and moaners. :roll:

Think he packed up and left because he didn't want to have to face everyone after making a completely and total ass of himself?

[apolinar]

I feel bad that Laviolette couldn't get this team on a ropes course or get all their dads to see the games. However that was never going to happen. Give me any coach that can build a team mentality around NO practices nor time to get together before the first game other than watching dvd's and I'd be amazed.

There once was a day when playing for USA hockey was an honor and you did all you could to win the gold medal. Even if you had to pay your own way and your family's if they were lucky enough to go.

Mike Modano's statements are very right. It's time to get fresh blood into USA hockey. Fresh TEAM blood. Mr. Modano, include yourself in the list of people who need to be replaced. He is the epitome of the Me player, not the We player.

Herbie: It's not about the name on the back of the jersey, it's about the name on the front.

Laviolette: It's not about you, It's about the guy in front of you.

USA never became a team, and it is not only the coach's job to build that. It is the captain's and the assistant captain's responsibility too. Modano should be looking within right now wondering if he did everything he could to win gold. Did he tell the new guys in the lockerroom that they weren't working hard enough? Did he boldly call them out and say, "This is embarrassing. Let's work harder." I can't speculate if he did.

But the only person I saw who did say that with urgency was the coach.
If the US captains and players didn't do EVERYTHING in their power to win gold, then the fault is theirs as much as Lavi's. Laviolette didn't just sit on the bench and let them tank. He brought what he could. Anything less than laying it all on the line for our country is a disgrace to MY country. I wasn't in the lockerroom to be able to know so I must speculate. But I don't think Modano did everything he could. A team asistant captain doesn't get benched without much fanfare from the other players if he has garnered the respect of his teammates. A good captain would have gained that respect very quickly. No teammate has truly stood behind him and his comments. If that happened then I would question our coach. Gionta deferred to him because of his veteran status, but didn't say anything close to "Yeah, Modano's right."

Team USA needed leaders that would show what it took to win gold, including team building and respect for the coach. They were right to keep roenick off the team, and they would've been right to put some ahl'ers in there instead of some of our older players, including Modano. That probably woulda been a pr nightmare. However, Anyone who didn't lay it all on the line should have bowed out and given the spot to someone who would have.

[apolinar]

I feel bad that Laviolette couldn't get this team on a ropes course or get all their dads to see the games. However that was never going to happen. Give me any coach that can build a team mentality around NO practices nor time to get together before the first game other than watching dvd's and I'd be amazed.

There once was a day when playing for USA hockey was an honor and you did all you could to win the gold medal. Even if you had to pay your own way and your family's if they were lucky enough to go.

Mike Modano's statements are very right. It's time to get fresh blood into USA hockey. Fresh TEAM blood. Mr. Modano, include yourself in the list of people who need to be replaced. He is the epitome of the Me player, not the We player.

Herbie: It's not about the name on the back of the jersey, it's about the name on the front.

Laviolette: It's not about you, It's about the guy in front of you.

USA never became a team, and it is not only the coach's job to build that. It is the captain's and the assistant captain's responsibility too. Modano should be looking within right now wondering if he did everything he could to win gold. Did he tell the new guys in the lockerroom that they weren't working hard enough? Did he boldly call them out and say, "This is embarrassing. Let's work harder." I can't speculate if he did.

But the only person I saw who did say that with urgency was the coach.
If the US captains and players didn't do EVERYTHING in their power to win gold, then the fault is theirs as much as Lavi's. Laviolette didn't just sit on the bench and let them tank. He brought what he could. Anything less than laying it all on the line for our country is a disgrace to MY country. I wasn't in the lockerroom to be able to know so I must speculate. But I don't think Modano did everything he could. A team asistant captain doesn't get benched without much fanfare from the other players if he has garnered the respect of his teammates. A good captain would have gained that respect very quickly. No teammate has truly stood behind him and his comments. If that happened then I would question our coach. Gionta deferred to him because of his veteran status, but didn't say anything close to "Yeah, Modano's right."

Team USA needed leaders that would show what it took to win gold, including team building and respect for the coach. They were right to keep roenick off the team, and they would've been right to put some ahl'ers in there instead of some of our older players, including Modano. That probably woulda been a pr nightmare. However, Anyone who didn't lay it all on the line should have bowed out and given the spot to someone who would have.

[apolinar]

I feel bad that Laviolette couldn't get this team on a ropes course or get all their dads to see the games. However that was never going to happen. Give me any coach that can build a team mentality around NO practices nor time to get together before the first game other than watching dvd's and I'd be amazed.

There once was a day when playing for USA hockey was an honor and you did all you could to win the gold medal. Even if you had to pay your own way and your family's if they were lucky enough to go.

Mike Modano's statements are very right. It's time to get fresh blood into USA hockey. Fresh TEAM blood. Mr. Modano, include yourself in the list of people who need to be replaced. He is the epitome of the Me player, not the We player.

Herbie: It's not about the name on the back of the jersey, it's about the name on the front.

Laviolette: It's not about you, It's about the guy in front of you.

USA never became a team, and it is not only the coach's job to build that. It is the captain's and the assistant captain's responsibility too. Modano should be looking within right now wondering if he did everything he could to win gold. Did he tell the new guys in the lockerroom that they weren't working hard enough? Did he boldly call them out and say, "This is embarrassing. Let's work harder." I can't speculate if he did.

But the only person I saw who did say that with urgency was the coach.
If the US captains and players didn't do EVERYTHING in their power to win gold, then the fault is theirs as much as Lavi's. Laviolette didn't just sit on the bench and let them tank. He brought what he could. Anything less than laying it all on the line for our country is a disgrace to MY country. I wasn't in the lockerroom to be able to know so I must speculate. But I don't think Modano did everything he could. A team asistant captain doesn't get benched without much fanfare from the other players if he has garnered the respect of his teammates. A good captain would have gained that respect very quickly. No teammate has truly stood behind him and his comments. If that happened then I would question our coach. Gionta deferred to him because of his veteran status, but didn't say anything close to "Yeah, Modano's right."

Team USA needed leaders that would show what it took to win gold, including team building and respect for the coach. They were right to keep roenick off the team, and they would've been right to put some ahl'ers in there instead of some of our older players, including Modano. That probably woulda been a pr nightmare. However, Anyone who didn't lay it all on the line should have bowed out and given the spot to someone who would have.

[apolinar]

I feel bad that Laviolette couldn't get this team on a ropes course or get all their dads to see the games. However that was never going to happen. Give me any coach that can build a team mentality around NO practices nor time to get together before the first game other than watching dvd's and I'd be amazed.

There once was a day when playing for USA hockey was an honor and you did all you could to win the gold medal. Even if you had to pay your own way and your family's if they were lucky enough to go.

Mike Modano's statements are very right. It's time to get fresh blood into USA hockey. Fresh TEAM blood. Mr. Modano, include yourself in the list of people who need to be replaced. He is the epitome of the Me player, not the We player.

Herbie: It's not about the name on the back of the jersey, it's about the name on the front.

Laviolette: It's not about you, It's about the guy in front of you.

USA never became a team, and it is not only the coach's job to build that. It is the captain's and the assistant captain's responsibility too. Modano should be looking within right now wondering if he did everything he could to win gold. Did he tell the new guys in the lockerroom that they weren't working hard enough? Did he boldly call them out and say, "This is embarrassing. Let's work harder." I can't speculate if he did.

But the only person I saw who did say that with urgency was the coach.
If the US captains and players didn't do EVERYTHING in their power to win gold, then the fault is theirs as much as Lavi's. Laviolette didn't just sit on the bench and let them tank. He brought what he could. Anything less than laying it all on the line for our country is a disgrace to MY country. I wasn't in the lockerroom to be able to know so I must speculate. But I don't think Modano did everything he could. A team asistant captain doesn't get benched without much fanfare from the other players if he has garnered the respect of his teammates. A good captain would have gained that respect very quickly. No teammate has truly stood behind him and his comments. If that happened then I would question our coach. Gionta deferred to him because of his veteran status, but didn't say anything close to "Yeah, Modano's right."

Team USA needed leaders that would show what it took to win gold, including team building and respect for the coach. They were right to keep roenick off the team, and they would've been right to put some ahl'ers in there instead of some of our older players, including Modano. That probably woulda been a pr nightmare. However, Anyone who didn't lay it all on the line should have bowed out and given the spot to someone who would have.

[apolinar]

I feel bad that Laviolette couldn't get this team on a ropes course or get all their dads to see the games. However that was never going to happen. Give me any coach that can build a team mentality around NO practices nor time to get together before the first game other than watching dvd's and I'd be amazed.

There once was a day when playing for USA hockey was an honor and you did all you could to win the gold medal. Even if you had to pay your own way and your family's if they were lucky enough to go.

Mike Modano's statements are very right. It's time to get fresh blood into USA hockey. Fresh TEAM blood. Mr. Modano, include yourself in the list of people who need to be replaced. He is the epitome of the Me player, not the We player.

Herbie: It's not about the name on the back of the jersey, it's about the name on the front.

Laviolette: It's not about you, It's about the guy in front of you.

USA never became a team, and it is not only the coach's job to build that. It is the captain's and the assistant captain's responsibility too. Modano should be looking within right now wondering if he did everything he could to win gold. Did he tell the new guys in the lockerroom that they weren't working hard enough? Did he boldly call them out and say, "This is embarrassing. Let's work harder." I can't speculate if he did.

But the only person I saw who did say that with urgency was the coach.
If the US captains and players didn't do EVERYTHING in their power to win gold, then the fault is theirs as much as Lavi's. Laviolette didn't just sit on the bench and let them tank. He brought what he could. Anything less than laying it all on the line for our country is a disgrace to MY country. I wasn't in the lockerroom to be able to know so I must speculate. But I don't think Modano did everything he could. A team asistant captain doesn't get benched without much fanfare from the other players if he has garnered the respect of his teammates. A good captain would have gained that respect very quickly. No teammate has truly stood behind him and his comments. If that happened then I would question our coach. Gionta deferred to him because of his veteran status, but didn't say anything close to "Yeah, Modano's right."

Team USA needed leaders that would show what it took to win gold, including team building and respect for the coach. They were right to keep roenick off the team, and they would've been right to put some ahl'ers in there instead of some of our older players, including Modano. That probably woulda been a pr nightmare. However, Anyone who didn't lay it all on the line should have bowed out and given the spot to someone who would have.

[apolinar]

I feel bad that Laviolette couldn't get this team on a ropes course or get all their dads to see the games. However that was never going to happen. Give me any coach that can build a team mentality around NO practices nor time to get together before the first game other than watching dvd's and I'd be amazed.

There once was a day when playing for USA hockey was an honor and you did all you could to win the gold medal. Even if you had to pay your own way and your family's if they were lucky enough to go.

Mike Modano's statements are very right. It's time to get fresh blood into USA hockey. Fresh TEAM blood. Mr. Modano, include yourself in the list of people who need to be replaced. He is the epitome of the Me player, not the We player.

Herbie: It's not about the name on the back of the jersey, it's about the name on the front.

Laviolette: It's not about you, It's about the guy in front of you.

USA never became a team, and it is not only the coach's job to build that. It is the captain's and the assistant captain's responsibility too. Modano should be looking within right now wondering if he did everything he could to win gold. Did he tell the new guys in the lockerroom that they weren't working hard enough? Did he boldly call them out and say, "This is embarrassing. Let's work harder." I can't speculate if he did.

But the only person I saw who did say that with urgency was the coach.
If the US captains and players didn't do EVERYTHING in their power to win gold, then the fault is theirs as much as Lavi's. Laviolette didn't just sit on the bench and let them tank. He brought what he could. Anything less than laying it all on the line for our country is a disgrace to MY country. I wasn't in the lockerroom to be able to know so I must speculate. But I don't think Modano did everything he could. A team asistant captain doesn't get benched without much fanfare from the other players if he has garnered the respect of his teammates. A good captain would have gained that respect very quickly. No teammate has truly stood behind him and his comments. If that happened then I would question our coach. Gionta deferred to him because of his veteran status, but didn't say anything close to "Yeah, Modano's right."

Team USA needed leaders that would show what it took to win gold, including team building and respect for the coach. They were right to keep roenick off the team, and they would've been right to put some ahl'ers in there instead of some of our older players, including Modano. That probably woulda been a pr nightmare. However, Anyone who didn't lay it all on the line should have bowed out and given the spot to someone who would have.

[apolinar]

I feel bad that Laviolette couldn't get this team on a ropes course or get all their dads to see the games. However that was never going to happen. Give me any coach that can build a team mentality around NO practices nor time to get together before the first game other than watching dvd's and I'd be amazed.

There once was a day when playing for USA hockey was an honor and you did all you could to win the gold medal. Even if you had to pay your own way and your family's if they were lucky enough to go.

Mike Modano's statements are very right. It's time to get fresh blood into USA hockey. Fresh TEAM blood. Mr. Modano, include yourself in the list of people who need to be replaced. He is the epitome of the Me player, not the We player.

Herbie: It's not about the name on the back of the jersey, it's about the name on the front.

Laviolette: It's not about you, It's about the guy in front of you.

USA never became a team, and it is not only the coach's job to build that. It is the captain's and the assistant captain's responsibility too. Modano should be looking within right now wondering if he did everything he could to win gold. Did he tell the new guys in the lockerroom that they weren't working hard enough? Did he boldly call them out and say, "This is embarrassing. Let's work harder." I can't speculate if he did.

But the only person I saw who did say that with urgency was the coach.
If the US captains and players didn't do EVERYTHING in their power to win gold, then the fault is theirs as much as Lavi's. Laviolette didn't just sit on the bench and let them tank. He brought what he could. Anything less than laying it all on the line for our country is a disgrace to MY country. I wasn't in the lockerroom to be able to know so I must speculate. But I don't think Modano did everything he could. A team asistant captain doesn't get benched without much fanfare from the other players if he has garnered the respect of his teammates. A good captain would have gained that respect very quickly. No teammate has truly stood behind him and his comments. If that happened then I would question our coach. Gionta deferred to him because of his veteran status, but didn't say anything close to "Yeah, Modano's right."

Team USA needed leaders that would show what it took to win gold, including team building and respect for the coach. They were right to keep roenick off the team, and they would've been right to put some ahl'ers in there instead of some of our older players, including Modano. That probably woulda been a pr nightmare. However, Anyone who didn't lay it all on the line should have bowed out and given the spot to someone who would have.

[nccanes]

Well, this is a start.

Modano: I don't want to leave it like this
04:32 AM CST on Friday, February 24, 2006
By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News


TURIN, Italy - The United States men’s Olympic hockey team gathered one last time in the basement of Palasport Olympico on Thursday morning. The agenda included the humbling duty of rebooking flights because no one planned to leave a few days before the gold medal game.

Stars center Mike Modano, critical of USA Hockey administration and coaching after Wednesday night’s quarterfinal loss, got a jump on his teammates. Team officials confirmed that Modano took a flight out of Turin on Thursday morning and was the only player who didn’t attend the meeting.

(okay, does anyone see the irony of Modano being the one who was able to make his flight arrangements so quickly that he got out ahead of every single other player, who were attending a mtg, that was in part related to rebooking the flights. :lol:)

The Americans lost to Finland in the quarterfinals, 4-3. That ended a 1-4-1 run for the team that won the silver medal in 2002. Seeded sixth overall, they finished in eighth place.

Modano, when reached by phone in Texas late Thursday evening, said he was unaware of the team meeting and was later told by a teammate that it was only a gathering to receive travel information. He said Team USA general manager Don Waddell was on the same flight he was.

However, Modano was apologetic for the tone of the interview he gave after the loss to Finland.

“I think the timing was bad,” Modano said. “I was upset at the outcome and mad at what happened to me [being benched in the third period] and you walk right off the ice into the [media] mix zone, and I just let my emotions start talking.”

Modano not only questioned U.S. coach Peter Laviolette’s strategy to take a timeout 10 minutes into the game, but slammed the administration for not taking care of “distractions” for the players, such as travel arrangements and obligations for family members. He said at one point the organization needed “new blood.”

Modano, who scored twice, had no assists and was a minus-1 in his third Olympics, did not back off of the criticism but said he wanted to be more constructive and more proactive in trying to fix things.

“I would like to be a part of helping USA Hockey, but I’d like to do it more behind the scenes, more privately,” (more irony) Modano said. “I’ve been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me. I don’t want to leave it like this.”
Modano said he initially felt anger because he believed it was his last performance in a Team USA uniform. But after a day to think, he feels more sadness.

“We’re probably not going to have a World Cup [in 2008] and who knows about [the Winter Olympics in] 2010, so I pretty much knew at the time this could be it,” he said. “It’s not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything. It’s tough to look back and think it might be over.”

Only two players met with reporters Thursday before the final team meeting. Neither agreed with nor took issue with Modano’s opinions.

Center Craig Conroy of the Los Angeles Kings said most of the players didn’t know about Modano’s comments until Thursday morning.

“I knew he was upset; he didn’t say much in the room,” Conroy said. “He just kind of packed up his stuff, took a shower, and he left.

“I felt bad that he didn’t play a lot down the stretch. He’s such a great player, deserves a lot. If those are his opinions, I’ve got to say, ‘OK.’

“He’s been around a long time,’’ Conroy said. “He’s got his opinions. I think when you get to talk to him again - you know, he’s emotional after the games. I don’t know if was just emotional or if he really meant it.”

E-mail jmiller@dallasnews.com


WHAT THEY'RE WRITING
Mike Modano's comments made national headlines Thursday. Excerpts from columns:

It wouldn't be Team USA if the Americans didn't exit with a complete absence of grace, and so Modano filled a very real need as team knucklehead. He said USA Hockey required change, top to bottom, that it was the bureaucrats' fault, and that the players had not really lost this tournament.

Filip Bondy, New York Daily News



It's a start. Good for him.

The XM guys were talking this morning about how Team Canada "toook care" of the families of the players, flew them over on a charter, etc. They also mentioned that if any of them wanted to come home before Sunday (players included according to them)....... they'd have to make their own arrangements. I've enjoyed the comparison of USA vs. Canada Hockey, when the Canadian's results was just as poor, and with higher expectations. So, why are we talking about it again?

I also think perhaps the NHL players should have been watching last night when they showed the Figure Skater from Turkey (Tugba something), whose parents moved to Barrie, Ontario so she could continue her training. Her father struggled so much with the language barrier that he went back to Turkey. They couldn't afford for either of them to attend the O's, and her mother had to work the day and time of her competition and had to rely on phone calls to find out what happened. The olympics are full of these stories. If the NHL players are too distracted with having to call their own travel agent to perform to their best ability, then perhaps they should just stay home.

[nccanes]

Well, this is a start.

Modano: I don't want to leave it like this
04:32 AM CST on Friday, February 24, 2006
By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News


TURIN, Italy - The United States men’s Olympic hockey team gathered one last time in the basement of Palasport Olympico on Thursday morning. The agenda included the humbling duty of rebooking flights because no one planned to leave a few days before the gold medal game.

Stars center Mike Modano, critical of USA Hockey administration and coaching after Wednesday night’s quarterfinal loss, got a jump on his teammates. Team officials confirmed that Modano took a flight out of Turin on Thursday morning and was the only player who didn’t attend the meeting.

(okay, does anyone see the irony of Modano being the one who was able to make his flight arrangements so quickly that he got out ahead of every single other player, who were attending a mtg, that was in part related to rebooking the flights. :lol:)

The Americans lost to Finland in the quarterfinals, 4-3. That ended a 1-4-1 run for the team that won the silver medal in 2002. Seeded sixth overall, they finished in eighth place.

Modano, when reached by phone in Texas late Thursday evening, said he was unaware of the team meeting and was later told by a teammate that it was only a gathering to receive travel information. He said Team USA general manager Don Waddell was on the same flight he was.

However, Modano was apologetic for the tone of the interview he gave after the loss to Finland.

“I think the timing was bad,” Modano said. “I was upset at the outcome and mad at what happened to me [being benched in the third period] and you walk right off the ice into the [media] mix zone, and I just let my emotions start talking.”

Modano not only questioned U.S. coach Peter Laviolette’s strategy to take a timeout 10 minutes into the game, but slammed the administration for not taking care of “distractions” for the players, such as travel arrangements and obligations for family members. He said at one point the organization needed “new blood.”

Modano, who scored twice, had no assists and was a minus-1 in his third Olympics, did not back off of the criticism but said he wanted to be more constructive and more proactive in trying to fix things.

“I would like to be a part of helping USA Hockey, but I’d like to do it more behind the scenes, more privately,” (more irony) Modano said. “I’ve been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me. I don’t want to leave it like this.”
Modano said he initially felt anger because he believed it was his last performance in a Team USA uniform. But after a day to think, he feels more sadness.

“We’re probably not going to have a World Cup [in 2008] and who knows about [the Winter Olympics in] 2010, so I pretty much knew at the time this could be it,” he said. “It’s not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything. It’s tough to look back and think it might be over.”

Only two players met with reporters Thursday before the final team meeting. Neither agreed with nor took issue with Modano’s opinions.

Center Craig Conroy of the Los Angeles Kings said most of the players didn’t know about Modano’s comments until Thursday morning.

“I knew he was upset; he didn’t say much in the room,” Conroy said. “He just kind of packed up his stuff, took a shower, and he left.

“I felt bad that he didn’t play a lot down the stretch. He’s such a great player, deserves a lot. If those are his opinions, I’ve got to say, ‘OK.’

“He’s been around a long time,’’ Conroy said. “He’s got his opinions. I think when you get to talk to him again - you know, he’s emotional after the games. I don’t know if was just emotional or if he really meant it.”

E-mail jmiller@dallasnews.com


WHAT THEY'RE WRITING
Mike Modano's comments made national headlines Thursday. Excerpts from columns:

It wouldn't be Team USA if the Americans didn't exit with a complete absence of grace, and so Modano filled a very real need as team knucklehead. He said USA Hockey required change, top to bottom, that it was the bureaucrats' fault, and that the players had not really lost this tournament.

Filip Bondy, New York Daily News



It's a start. Good for him.

The XM guys were talking this morning about how Team Canada "toook care" of the families of the players, flew them over on a charter, etc. They also mentioned that if any of them wanted to come home before Sunday (players included according to them)....... they'd have to make their own arrangements. I've enjoyed the comparison of USA vs. Canada Hockey, when the Canadian's results was just as poor, and with higher expectations. So, why are we talking about it again?

I also think perhaps the NHL players should have been watching last night when they showed the Figure Skater from Turkey (Tugba something), whose parents moved to Barrie, Ontario so she could continue her training. Her father struggled so much with the language barrier that he went back to Turkey. They couldn't afford for either of them to attend the O's, and her mother had to work the day and time of her competition and had to rely on phone calls to find out what happened. The olympics are full of these stories. If the NHL players are too distracted with having to call their own travel agent to perform to their best ability, then perhaps they should just stay home.

[nccanes]

Well, this is a start.

Modano: I don't want to leave it like this
04:32 AM CST on Friday, February 24, 2006
By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News


TURIN, Italy - The United States men’s Olympic hockey team gathered one last time in the basement of Palasport Olympico on Thursday morning. The agenda included the humbling duty of rebooking flights because no one planned to leave a few days before the gold medal game.

Stars center Mike Modano, critical of USA Hockey administration and coaching after Wednesday night’s quarterfinal loss, got a jump on his teammates. Team officials confirmed that Modano took a flight out of Turin on Thursday morning and was the only player who didn’t attend the meeting.

(okay, does anyone see the irony of Modano being the one who was able to make his flight arrangements so quickly that he got out ahead of every single other player, who were attending a mtg, that was in part related to rebooking the flights. :lol:)

The Americans lost to Finland in the quarterfinals, 4-3. That ended a 1-4-1 run for the team that won the silver medal in 2002. Seeded sixth overall, they finished in eighth place.

Modano, when reached by phone in Texas late Thursday evening, said he was unaware of the team meeting and was later told by a teammate that it was only a gathering to receive travel information. He said Team USA general manager Don Waddell was on the same flight he was.

However, Modano was apologetic for the tone of the interview he gave after the loss to Finland.

“I think the timing was bad,” Modano said. “I was upset at the outcome and mad at what happened to me [being benched in the third period] and you walk right off the ice into the [media] mix zone, and I just let my emotions start talking.”

Modano not only questioned U.S. coach Peter Laviolette’s strategy to take a timeout 10 minutes into the game, but slammed the administration for not taking care of “distractions” for the players, such as travel arrangements and obligations for family members. He said at one point the organization needed “new blood.”

Modano, who scored twice, had no assists and was a minus-1 in his third Olympics, did not back off of the criticism but said he wanted to be more constructive and more proactive in trying to fix things.

“I would like to be a part of helping USA Hockey, but I’d like to do it more behind the scenes, more privately,” (more irony) Modano said. “I’ve been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me. I don’t want to leave it like this.”
Modano said he initially felt anger because he believed it was his last performance in a Team USA uniform. But after a day to think, he feels more sadness.

“We’re probably not going to have a World Cup [in 2008] and who knows about [the Winter Olympics in] 2010, so I pretty much knew at the time this could be it,” he said. “It’s not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything. It’s tough to look back and think it might be over.”

Only two players met with reporters Thursday before the final team meeting. Neither agreed with nor took issue with Modano’s opinions.

Center Craig Conroy of the Los Angeles Kings said most of the players didn’t know about Modano’s comments until Thursday morning.

“I knew he was upset; he didn’t say much in the room,” Conroy said. “He just kind of packed up his stuff, took a shower, and he left.

“I felt bad that he didn’t play a lot down the stretch. He’s such a great player, deserves a lot. If those are his opinions, I’ve got to say, ‘OK.’

“He’s been around a long time,’’ Conroy said. “He’s got his opinions. I think when you get to talk to him again - you know, he’s emotional after the games. I don’t know if was just emotional or if he really meant it.”

E-mail jmiller@dallasnews.com


WHAT THEY'RE WRITING
Mike Modano's comments made national headlines Thursday. Excerpts from columns:

It wouldn't be Team USA if the Americans didn't exit with a complete absence of grace, and so Modano filled a very real need as team knucklehead. He said USA Hockey required change, top to bottom, that it was the bureaucrats' fault, and that the players had not really lost this tournament.

Filip Bondy, New York Daily News



It's a start. Good for him.

The XM guys were talking this morning about how Team Canada "toook care" of the families of the players, flew them over on a charter, etc. They also mentioned that if any of them wanted to come home before Sunday (players included according to them)....... they'd have to make their own arrangements. I've enjoyed the comparison of USA vs. Canada Hockey, when the Canadian's results was just as poor, and with higher expectations. So, why are we talking about it again?

I also think perhaps the NHL players should have been watching last night when they showed the Figure Skater from Turkey (Tugba something), whose parents moved to Barrie, Ontario so she could continue her training. Her father struggled so much with the language barrier that he went back to Turkey. They couldn't afford for either of them to attend the O's, and her mother had to work the day and time of her competition and had to rely on phone calls to find out what happened. The olympics are full of these stories. If the NHL players are too distracted with having to call their own travel agent to perform to their best ability, then perhaps they should just stay home.

[nccanes]

Well, this is a start.

Modano: I don't want to leave it like this
04:32 AM CST on Friday, February 24, 2006
By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News


TURIN, Italy - The United States men’s Olympic hockey team gathered one last time in the basement of Palasport Olympico on Thursday morning. The agenda included the humbling duty of rebooking flights because no one planned to leave a few days before the gold medal game.

Stars center Mike Modano, critical of USA Hockey administration and coaching after Wednesday night’s quarterfinal loss, got a jump on his teammates. Team officials confirmed that Modano took a flight out of Turin on Thursday morning and was the only player who didn’t attend the meeting.

(okay, does anyone see the irony of Modano being the one who was able to make his flight arrangements so quickly that he got out ahead of every single other player, who were attending a mtg, that was in part related to rebooking the flights. :lol:)

The Americans lost to Finland in the quarterfinals, 4-3. That ended a 1-4-1 run for the team that won the silver medal in 2002. Seeded sixth overall, they finished in eighth place.

Modano, when reached by phone in Texas late Thursday evening, said he was unaware of the team meeting and was later told by a teammate that it was only a gathering to receive travel information. He said Team USA general manager Don Waddell was on the same flight he was.

However, Modano was apologetic for the tone of the interview he gave after the loss to Finland.

“I think the timing was bad,” Modano said. “I was upset at the outcome and mad at what happened to me [being benched in the third period] and you walk right off the ice into the [media] mix zone, and I just let my emotions start talking.”

Modano not only questioned U.S. coach Peter Laviolette’s strategy to take a timeout 10 minutes into the game, but slammed the administration for not taking care of “distractions” for the players, such as travel arrangements and obligations for family members. He said at one point the organization needed “new blood.”

Modano, who scored twice, had no assists and was a minus-1 in his third Olympics, did not back off of the criticism but said he wanted to be more constructive and more proactive in trying to fix things.

“I would like to be a part of helping USA Hockey, but I’d like to do it more behind the scenes, more privately,” (more irony) Modano said. “I’ve been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me. I don’t want to leave it like this.”
Modano said he initially felt anger because he believed it was his last performance in a Team USA uniform. But after a day to think, he feels more sadness.

“We’re probably not going to have a World Cup [in 2008] and who knows about [the Winter Olympics in] 2010, so I pretty much knew at the time this could be it,” he said. “It’s not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything. It’s tough to look back and think it might be over.”

Only two players met with reporters Thursday before the final team meeting. Neither agreed with nor took issue with Modano’s opinions.

Center Craig Conroy of the Los Angeles Kings said most of the players didn’t know about Modano’s comments until Thursday morning.

“I knew he was upset; he didn’t say much in the room,” Conroy said. “He just kind of packed up his stuff, took a shower, and he left.

“I felt bad that he didn’t play a lot down the stretch. He’s such a great player, deserves a lot. If those are his opinions, I’ve got to say, ‘OK.’

“He’s been around a long time,’’ Conroy said. “He’s got his opinions. I think when you get to talk to him again - you know, he’s emotional after the games. I don’t know if was just emotional or if he really meant it.”

E-mail jmiller@dallasnews.com


WHAT THEY'RE WRITING
Mike Modano's comments made national headlines Thursday. Excerpts from columns:

It wouldn't be Team USA if the Americans didn't exit with a complete absence of grace, and so Modano filled a very real need as team knucklehead. He said USA Hockey required change, top to bottom, that it was the bureaucrats' fault, and that the players had not really lost this tournament.

Filip Bondy, New York Daily News



It's a start. Good for him.

The XM guys were talking this morning about how Team Canada "toook care" of the families of the players, flew them over on a charter, etc. They also mentioned that if any of them wanted to come home before Sunday (players included according to them)....... they'd have to make their own arrangements. I've enjoyed the comparison of USA vs. Canada Hockey, when the Canadian's results was just as poor, and with higher expectations. So, why are we talking about it again?

I also think perhaps the NHL players should have been watching last night when they showed the Figure Skater from Turkey (Tugba something), whose parents moved to Barrie, Ontario so she could continue her training. Her father struggled so much with the language barrier that he went back to Turkey. They couldn't afford for either of them to attend the O's, and her mother had to work the day and time of her competition and had to rely on phone calls to find out what happened. The olympics are full of these stories. If the NHL players are too distracted with having to call their own travel agent to perform to their best ability, then perhaps they should just stay home.

[nccanes]

Well, this is a start.

Modano: I don't want to leave it like this
04:32 AM CST on Friday, February 24, 2006
By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News


TURIN, Italy - The United States men’s Olympic hockey team gathered one last time in the basement of Palasport Olympico on Thursday morning. The agenda included the humbling duty of rebooking flights because no one planned to leave a few days before the gold medal game.

Stars center Mike Modano, critical of USA Hockey administration and coaching after Wednesday night’s quarterfinal loss, got a jump on his teammates. Team officials confirmed that Modano took a flight out of Turin on Thursday morning and was the only player who didn’t attend the meeting.

(okay, does anyone see the irony of Modano being the one who was able to make his flight arrangements so quickly that he got out ahead of every single other player, who were attending a mtg, that was in part related to rebooking the flights. :lol:)

The Americans lost to Finland in the quarterfinals, 4-3. That ended a 1-4-1 run for the team that won the silver medal in 2002. Seeded sixth overall, they finished in eighth place.

Modano, when reached by phone in Texas late Thursday evening, said he was unaware of the team meeting and was later told by a teammate that it was only a gathering to receive travel information. He said Team USA general manager Don Waddell was on the same flight he was.

However, Modano was apologetic for the tone of the interview he gave after the loss to Finland.

“I think the timing was bad,” Modano said. “I was upset at the outcome and mad at what happened to me [being benched in the third period] and you walk right off the ice into the [media] mix zone, and I just let my emotions start talking.”

Modano not only questioned U.S. coach Peter Laviolette’s strategy to take a timeout 10 minutes into the game, but slammed the administration for not taking care of “distractions” for the players, such as travel arrangements and obligations for family members. He said at one point the organization needed “new blood.”

Modano, who scored twice, had no assists and was a minus-1 in his third Olympics, did not back off of the criticism but said he wanted to be more constructive and more proactive in trying to fix things.

“I would like to be a part of helping USA Hockey, but I’d like to do it more behind the scenes, more privately,” (more irony) Modano said. “I’ve been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me. I don’t want to leave it like this.”
Modano said he initially felt anger because he believed it was his last performance in a Team USA uniform. But after a day to think, he feels more sadness.

“We’re probably not going to have a World Cup [in 2008] and who knows about [the Winter Olympics in] 2010, so I pretty much knew at the time this could be it,” he said. “It’s not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything. It’s tough to look back and think it might be over.”

Only two players met with reporters Thursday before the final team meeting. Neither agreed with nor took issue with Modano’s opinions.

Center Craig Conroy of the Los Angeles Kings said most of the players didn’t know about Modano’s comments until Thursday morning.

“I knew he was upset; he didn’t say much in the room,” Conroy said. “He just kind of packed up his stuff, took a shower, and he left.

“I felt bad that he didn’t play a lot down the stretch. He’s such a great player, deserves a lot. If those are his opinions, I’ve got to say, ‘OK.’

“He’s been around a long time,’’ Conroy said. “He’s got his opinions. I think when you get to talk to him again - you know, he’s emotional after the games. I don’t know if was just emotional or if he really meant it.”

E-mail jmiller@dallasnews.com


WHAT THEY'RE WRITING
Mike Modano's comments made national headlines Thursday. Excerpts from columns:

It wouldn't be Team USA if the Americans didn't exit with a complete absence of grace, and so Modano filled a very real need as team knucklehead. He said USA Hockey required change, top to bottom, that it was the bureaucrats' fault, and that the players had not really lost this tournament.

Filip Bondy, New York Daily News



It's a start. Good for him.

The XM guys were talking this morning about how Team Canada "toook care" of the families of the players, flew them over on a charter, etc. They also mentioned that if any of them wanted to come home before Sunday (players included according to them)....... they'd have to make their own arrangements. I've enjoyed the comparison of USA vs. Canada Hockey, when the Canadian's results was just as poor, and with higher expectations. So, why are we talking about it again?

I also think perhaps the NHL players should have been watching last night when they showed the Figure Skater from Turkey (Tugba something), whose parents moved to Barrie, Ontario so she could continue her training. Her father struggled so much with the language barrier that he went back to Turkey. They couldn't afford for either of them to attend the O's, and her mother had to work the day and time of her competition and had to rely on phone calls to find out what happened. The olympics are full of these stories. If the NHL players are too distracted with having to call their own travel agent to perform to their best ability, then perhaps they should just stay home.

[nccanes]

Well, this is a start.

Modano: I don't want to leave it like this
04:32 AM CST on Friday, February 24, 2006
By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News


TURIN, Italy - The United States men’s Olympic hockey team gathered one last time in the basement of Palasport Olympico on Thursday morning. The agenda included the humbling duty of rebooking flights because no one planned to leave a few days before the gold medal game.

Stars center Mike Modano, critical of USA Hockey administration and coaching after Wednesday night’s quarterfinal loss, got a jump on his teammates. Team officials confirmed that Modano took a flight out of Turin on Thursday morning and was the only player who didn’t attend the meeting.

(okay, does anyone see the irony of Modano being the one who was able to make his flight arrangements so quickly that he got out ahead of every single other player, who were attending a mtg, that was in part related to rebooking the flights. :lol:)

The Americans lost to Finland in the quarterfinals, 4-3. That ended a 1-4-1 run for the team that won the silver medal in 2002. Seeded sixth overall, they finished in eighth place.

Modano, when reached by phone in Texas late Thursday evening, said he was unaware of the team meeting and was later told by a teammate that it was only a gathering to receive travel information. He said Team USA general manager Don Waddell was on the same flight he was.

However, Modano was apologetic for the tone of the interview he gave after the loss to Finland.

“I think the timing was bad,” Modano said. “I was upset at the outcome and mad at what happened to me [being benched in the third period] and you walk right off the ice into the [media] mix zone, and I just let my emotions start talking.”

Modano not only questioned U.S. coach Peter Laviolette’s strategy to take a timeout 10 minutes into the game, but slammed the administration for not taking care of “distractions” for the players, such as travel arrangements and obligations for family members. He said at one point the organization needed “new blood.”

Modano, who scored twice, had no assists and was a minus-1 in his third Olympics, did not back off of the criticism but said he wanted to be more constructive and more proactive in trying to fix things.

“I would like to be a part of helping USA Hockey, but I’d like to do it more behind the scenes, more privately,” (more irony) Modano said. “I’ve been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me. I don’t want to leave it like this.”
Modano said he initially felt anger because he believed it was his last performance in a Team USA uniform. But after a day to think, he feels more sadness.

“We’re probably not going to have a World Cup [in 2008] and who knows about [the Winter Olympics in] 2010, so I pretty much knew at the time this could be it,” he said. “It’s not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything. It’s tough to look back and think it might be over.”

Only two players met with reporters Thursday before the final team meeting. Neither agreed with nor took issue with Modano’s opinions.

Center Craig Conroy of the Los Angeles Kings said most of the players didn’t know about Modano’s comments until Thursday morning.

“I knew he was upset; he didn’t say much in the room,” Conroy said. “He just kind of packed up his stuff, took a shower, and he left.

“I felt bad that he didn’t play a lot down the stretch. He’s such a great player, deserves a lot. If those are his opinions, I’ve got to say, ‘OK.’

“He’s been around a long time,’’ Conroy said. “He’s got his opinions. I think when you get to talk to him again - you know, he’s emotional after the games. I don’t know if was just emotional or if he really meant it.”

E-mail jmiller@dallasnews.com


WHAT THEY'RE WRITING
Mike Modano's comments made national headlines Thursday. Excerpts from columns:

It wouldn't be Team USA if the Americans didn't exit with a complete absence of grace, and so Modano filled a very real need as team knucklehead. He said USA Hockey required change, top to bottom, that it was the bureaucrats' fault, and that the players had not really lost this tournament.

Filip Bondy, New York Daily News



It's a start. Good for him.

The XM guys were talking this morning about how Team Canada "toook care" of the families of the players, flew them over on a charter, etc. They also mentioned that if any of them wanted to come home before Sunday (players included according to them)....... they'd have to make their own arrangements. I've enjoyed the comparison of USA vs. Canada Hockey, when the Canadian's results was just as poor, and with higher expectations. So, why are we talking about it again?

I also think perhaps the NHL players should have been watching last night when they showed the Figure Skater from Turkey (Tugba something), whose parents moved to Barrie, Ontario so she could continue her training. Her father struggled so much with the language barrier that he went back to Turkey. They couldn't afford for either of them to attend the O's, and her mother had to work the day and time of her competition and had to rely on phone calls to find out what happened. The olympics are full of these stories. If the NHL players are too distracted with having to call their own travel agent to perform to their best ability, then perhaps they should just stay home.

[nccanes]

Well, this is a start.

Modano: I don't want to leave it like this
04:32 AM CST on Friday, February 24, 2006
By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News


TURIN, Italy - The United States men’s Olympic hockey team gathered one last time in the basement of Palasport Olympico on Thursday morning. The agenda included the humbling duty of rebooking flights because no one planned to leave a few days before the gold medal game.

Stars center Mike Modano, critical of USA Hockey administration and coaching after Wednesday night’s quarterfinal loss, got a jump on his teammates. Team officials confirmed that Modano took a flight out of Turin on Thursday morning and was the only player who didn’t attend the meeting.

(okay, does anyone see the irony of Modano being the one who was able to make his flight arrangements so quickly that he got out ahead of every single other player, who were attending a mtg, that was in part related to rebooking the flights. :lol:)

The Americans lost to Finland in the quarterfinals, 4-3. That ended a 1-4-1 run for the team that won the silver medal in 2002. Seeded sixth overall, they finished in eighth place.

Modano, when reached by phone in Texas late Thursday evening, said he was unaware of the team meeting and was later told by a teammate that it was only a gathering to receive travel information. He said Team USA general manager Don Waddell was on the same flight he was.

However, Modano was apologetic for the tone of the interview he gave after the loss to Finland.

“I think the timing was bad,” Modano said. “I was upset at the outcome and mad at what happened to me [being benched in the third period] and you walk right off the ice into the [media] mix zone, and I just let my emotions start talking.”

Modano not only questioned U.S. coach Peter Laviolette’s strategy to take a timeout 10 minutes into the game, but slammed the administration for not taking care of “distractions” for the players, such as travel arrangements and obligations for family members. He said at one point the organization needed “new blood.”

Modano, who scored twice, had no assists and was a minus-1 in his third Olympics, did not back off of the criticism but said he wanted to be more constructive and more proactive in trying to fix things.

“I would like to be a part of helping USA Hockey, but I’d like to do it more behind the scenes, more privately,” (more irony) Modano said. “I’ve been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me. I don’t want to leave it like this.”
Modano said he initially felt anger because he believed it was his last performance in a Team USA uniform. But after a day to think, he feels more sadness.

“We’re probably not going to have a World Cup [in 2008] and who knows about [the Winter Olympics in] 2010, so I pretty much knew at the time this could be it,” he said. “It’s not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything. It’s tough to look back and think it might be over.”

Only two players met with reporters Thursday before the final team meeting. Neither agreed with nor took issue with Modano’s opinions.

Center Craig Conroy of the Los Angeles Kings said most of the players didn’t know about Modano’s comments until Thursday morning.

“I knew he was upset; he didn’t say much in the room,” Conroy said. “He just kind of packed up his stuff, took a shower, and he left.

“I felt bad that he didn’t play a lot down the stretch. He’s such a great player, deserves a lot. If those are his opinions, I’ve got to say, ‘OK.’

“He’s been around a long time,’’ Conroy said. “He’s got his opinions. I think when you get to talk to him again - you know, he’s emotional after the games. I don’t know if was just emotional or if he really meant it.”

E-mail jmiller@dallasnews.com


WHAT THEY'RE WRITING
Mike Modano's comments made national headlines Thursday. Excerpts from columns:

It wouldn't be Team USA if the Americans didn't exit with a complete absence of grace, and so Modano filled a very real need as team knucklehead. He said USA Hockey required change, top to bottom, that it was the bureaucrats' fault, and that the players had not really lost this tournament.

Filip Bondy, New York Daily News



It's a start. Good for him.

The XM guys were talking this morning about how Team Canada "toook care" of the families of the players, flew them over on a charter, etc. They also mentioned that if any of them wanted to come home before Sunday (players included according to them)....... they'd have to make their own arrangements. I've enjoyed the comparison of USA vs. Canada Hockey, when the Canadian's results was just as poor, and with higher expectations. So, why are we talking about it again?

I also think perhaps the NHL players should have been watching last night when they showed the Figure Skater from Turkey (Tugba something), whose parents moved to Barrie, Ontario so she could continue her training. Her father struggled so much with the language barrier that he went back to Turkey. They couldn't afford for either of them to attend the O's, and her mother had to work the day and time of her competition and had to rely on phone calls to find out what happened. The olympics are full of these stories. If the NHL players are too distracted with having to call their own travel agent to perform to their best ability, then perhaps they should just stay home.

[corylav]

The big thing that strikes me with Modano is, and I'd like to ask him and those who defend him, if the USA had won the gold medal, or even had a decent showing, would you still be saying this? If Lavi had played you down the stretch like he played Cole, would've you have walked away satisfied, or would you have the same gripes?

I think it's really tactless ... to think everyone piled on JR for his comments. Yes, what he said was the wrong thing to say, but I get the feeling that in the end he would've at least been happy for the experience and the opportunity. Each in their own way, the two best American forwards ever to play are total asshats.

[corylav]

The big thing that strikes me with Modano is, and I'd like to ask him and those who defend him, if the USA had won the gold medal, or even had a decent showing, would you still be saying this? If Lavi had played you down the stretch like he played Cole, would've you have walked away satisfied, or would you have the same gripes?

I think it's really tactless ... to think everyone piled on JR for his comments. Yes, what he said was the wrong thing to say, but I get the feeling that in the end he would've at least been happy for the experience and the opportunity. Each in their own way, the two best American forwards ever to play are total asshats.

[corylav]

The big thing that strikes me with Modano is, and I'd like to ask him and those who defend him, if the USA had won the gold medal, or even had a decent showing, would you still be saying this? If Lavi had played you down the stretch like he played Cole, would've you have walked away satisfied, or would you have the same gripes?

I think it's really tactless ... to think everyone piled on JR for his comments. Yes, what he said was the wrong thing to say, but I get the feeling that in the end he would've at least been happy for the experience and the opportunity. Each in their own way, the two best American forwards ever to play are total asshats.

[corylav]

The big thing that strikes me with Modano is, and I'd like to ask him and those who defend him, if the USA had won the gold medal, or even had a decent showing, would you still be saying this? If Lavi had played you down the stretch like he played Cole, would've you have walked away satisfied, or would you have the same gripes?

I think it's really tactless ... to think everyone piled on JR for his comments. Yes, what he said was the wrong thing to say, but I get the feeling that in the end he would've at least been happy for the experience and the opportunity. Each in their own way, the two best American forwards ever to play are total asshats.

[corylav]

The big thing that strikes me with Modano is, and I'd like to ask him and those who defend him, if the USA had won the gold medal, or even had a decent showing, would you still be saying this? If Lavi had played you down the stretch like he played Cole, would've you have walked away satisfied, or would you have the same gripes?

I think it's really tactless ... to think everyone piled on JR for his comments. Yes, what he said was the wrong thing to say, but I get the feeling that in the end he would've at least been happy for the experience and the opportunity. Each in their own way, the two best American forwards ever to play are total asshats.

[corylav]

The big thing that strikes me with Modano is, and I'd like to ask him and those who defend him, if the USA had won the gold medal, or even had a decent showing, would you still be saying this? If Lavi had played you down the stretch like he played Cole, would've you have walked away satisfied, or would you have the same gripes?

I think it's really tactless ... to think everyone piled on JR for his comments. Yes, what he said was the wrong thing to say, but I get the feeling that in the end he would've at least been happy for the experience and the opportunity. Each in their own way, the two best American forwards ever to play are total asshats.

[corylav]

The big thing that strikes me with Modano is, and I'd like to ask him and those who defend him, if the USA had won the gold medal, or even had a decent showing, would you still be saying this? If Lavi had played you down the stretch like he played Cole, would've you have walked away satisfied, or would you have the same gripes?

I think it's really tactless ... to think everyone piled on JR for his comments. Yes, what he said was the wrong thing to say, but I get the feeling that in the end he would've at least been happy for the experience and the opportunity. Each in their own way, the two best American forwards ever to play are total asshats.

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, it's too little to late IMO. Modano has 'shown' himself. And the only reason he is saying what he's saying now, is because he is being BLASTED all over North America. Did anyone see the number of FRONT PAGE strories on Modano and his act? I stopped counting articles after I read 20. He comes off as a complete ass.

Here's a thought. If he didn't mean any of it, and that's a big dang IF, then here's what you do next time around- don't speak to the media. Seriously, what would compel you, in the heat of coming off the ice in a game in which all was on the line and you got benched, to just start spouting off????? So if you couldn't say anything worth a darn, wouldn't it be prudent to go to the USA hockey media person and say, put someone else on the podium and let them talk- cause I'm not straight here. Nobody forces you to just start bumping your gums- uh, Coach Laviolette said "No Comment" when he was 'pressed' about the whole travel arrangement thing.

I do find it ironic that Modano get the hell out of dodge really fast, probably in just a click of a mouse. :roll.

So now he's had this Oprah moment, saw how terribly he came off, now sees the light and wants to atone for his sins. He's done alot of damage , IMO and if he thinks it's just as simple as holding hands and singing kumbyah, he's friggin crazy. My hope is USA Hockey thinks really hard before bringing him into any behind the scenes fold. Why would they? I don't care how decorated and how long he's been involved, if he's the best forward ever to come out of USA hockey- he did serious damage to the organization within a matter of minutes cause he couldn't contain himself. Couldn't be a leader and shut up like someone if his supposed stature should have. I would question anyone with that judgement and why any organization would reward that type of stupidity. (no, I'm not very forgiving :mad: )

And to put this whole travel arrangement thing to bed, Hockey Canada did the whole charter, we did the make your arrangements and we both lost. This is SO not about how each team got there. It's all about both teams, shortsidedness and ineffectiveness in the big game, on the world stage, when it mattered. Surely Modano knows that eh?

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, it's too little to late IMO. Modano has 'shown' himself. And the only reason he is saying what he's saying now, is because he is being BLASTED all over North America. Did anyone see the number of FRONT PAGE strories on Modano and his act? I stopped counting articles after I read 20. He comes off as a complete ass.

Here's a thought. If he didn't mean any of it, and that's a big dang IF, then here's what you do next time around- don't speak to the media. Seriously, what would compel you, in the heat of coming off the ice in a game in which all was on the line and you got benched, to just start spouting off????? So if you couldn't say anything worth a darn, wouldn't it be prudent to go to the USA hockey media person and say, put someone else on the podium and let them talk- cause I'm not straight here. Nobody forces you to just start bumping your gums- uh, Coach Laviolette said "No Comment" when he was 'pressed' about the whole travel arrangement thing.

I do find it ironic that Modano get the hell out of dodge really fast, probably in just a click of a mouse. :roll.

So now he's had this Oprah moment, saw how terribly he came off, now sees the light and wants to atone for his sins. He's done alot of damage , IMO and if he thinks it's just as simple as holding hands and singing kumbyah, he's friggin crazy. My hope is USA Hockey thinks really hard before bringing him into any behind the scenes fold. Why would they? I don't care how decorated and how long he's been involved, if he's the best forward ever to come out of USA hockey- he did serious damage to the organization within a matter of minutes cause he couldn't contain himself. Couldn't be a leader and shut up like someone if his supposed stature should have. I would question anyone with that judgement and why any organization would reward that type of stupidity. (no, I'm not very forgiving :mad: )

And to put this whole travel arrangement thing to bed, Hockey Canada did the whole charter, we did the make your arrangements and we both lost. This is SO not about how each team got there. It's all about both teams, shortsidedness and ineffectiveness in the big game, on the world stage, when it mattered. Surely Modano knows that eh?

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, it's too little to late IMO. Modano has 'shown' himself. And the only reason he is saying what he's saying now, is because he is being BLASTED all over North America. Did anyone see the number of FRONT PAGE strories on Modano and his act? I stopped counting articles after I read 20. He comes off as a complete ass.

Here's a thought. If he didn't mean any of it, and that's a big dang IF, then here's what you do next time around- don't speak to the media. Seriously, what would compel you, in the heat of coming off the ice in a game in which all was on the line and you got benched, to just start spouting off????? So if you couldn't say anything worth a darn, wouldn't it be prudent to go to the USA hockey media person and say, put someone else on the podium and let them talk- cause I'm not straight here. Nobody forces you to just start bumping your gums- uh, Coach Laviolette said "No Comment" when he was 'pressed' about the whole travel arrangement thing.

I do find it ironic that Modano get the hell out of dodge really fast, probably in just a click of a mouse. :roll.

So now he's had this Oprah moment, saw how terribly he came off, now sees the light and wants to atone for his sins. He's done alot of damage , IMO and if he thinks it's just as simple as holding hands and singing kumbyah, he's friggin crazy. My hope is USA Hockey thinks really hard before bringing him into any behind the scenes fold. Why would they? I don't care how decorated and how long he's been involved, if he's the best forward ever to come out of USA hockey- he did serious damage to the organization within a matter of minutes cause he couldn't contain himself. Couldn't be a leader and shut up like someone if his supposed stature should have. I would question anyone with that judgement and why any organization would reward that type of stupidity. (no, I'm not very forgiving :mad: )

And to put this whole travel arrangement thing to bed, Hockey Canada did the whole charter, we did the make your arrangements and we both lost. This is SO not about how each team got there. It's all about both teams, shortsidedness and ineffectiveness in the big game, on the world stage, when it mattered. Surely Modano knows that eh?

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, it's too little to late IMO. Modano has 'shown' himself. And the only reason he is saying what he's saying now, is because he is being BLASTED all over North America. Did anyone see the number of FRONT PAGE strories on Modano and his act? I stopped counting articles after I read 20. He comes off as a complete ass.

Here's a thought. If he didn't mean any of it, and that's a big dang IF, then here's what you do next time around- don't speak to the media. Seriously, what would compel you, in the heat of coming off the ice in a game in which all was on the line and you got benched, to just start spouting off????? So if you couldn't say anything worth a darn, wouldn't it be prudent to go to the USA hockey media person and say, put someone else on the podium and let them talk- cause I'm not straight here. Nobody forces you to just start bumping your gums- uh, Coach Laviolette said "No Comment" when he was 'pressed' about the whole travel arrangement thing.

I do find it ironic that Modano get the hell out of dodge really fast, probably in just a click of a mouse. :roll.

So now he's had this Oprah moment, saw how terribly he came off, now sees the light and wants to atone for his sins. He's done alot of damage , IMO and if he thinks it's just as simple as holding hands and singing kumbyah, he's friggin crazy. My hope is USA Hockey thinks really hard before bringing him into any behind the scenes fold. Why would they? I don't care how decorated and how long he's been involved, if he's the best forward ever to come out of USA hockey- he did serious damage to the organization within a matter of minutes cause he couldn't contain himself. Couldn't be a leader and shut up like someone if his supposed stature should have. I would question anyone with that judgement and why any organization would reward that type of stupidity. (no, I'm not very forgiving :mad: )

And to put this whole travel arrangement thing to bed, Hockey Canada did the whole charter, we did the make your arrangements and we both lost. This is SO not about how each team got there. It's all about both teams, shortsidedness and ineffectiveness in the big game, on the world stage, when it mattered. Surely Modano knows that eh?

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, it's too little to late IMO. Modano has 'shown' himself. And the only reason he is saying what he's saying now, is because he is being BLASTED all over North America. Did anyone see the number of FRONT PAGE strories on Modano and his act? I stopped counting articles after I read 20. He comes off as a complete ass.

Here's a thought. If he didn't mean any of it, and that's a big dang IF, then here's what you do next time around- don't speak to the media. Seriously, what would compel you, in the heat of coming off the ice in a game in which all was on the line and you got benched, to just start spouting off????? So if you couldn't say anything worth a darn, wouldn't it be prudent to go to the USA hockey media person and say, put someone else on the podium and let them talk- cause I'm not straight here. Nobody forces you to just start bumping your gums- uh, Coach Laviolette said "No Comment" when he was 'pressed' about the whole travel arrangement thing.

I do find it ironic that Modano get the hell out of dodge really fast, probably in just a click of a mouse. :roll.

So now he's had this Oprah moment, saw how terribly he came off, now sees the light and wants to atone for his sins. He's done alot of damage , IMO and if he thinks it's just as simple as holding hands and singing kumbyah, he's friggin crazy. My hope is USA Hockey thinks really hard before bringing him into any behind the scenes fold. Why would they? I don't care how decorated and how long he's been involved, if he's the best forward ever to come out of USA hockey- he did serious damage to the organization within a matter of minutes cause he couldn't contain himself. Couldn't be a leader and shut up like someone if his supposed stature should have. I would question anyone with that judgement and why any organization would reward that type of stupidity. (no, I'm not very forgiving :mad: )

And to put this whole travel arrangement thing to bed, Hockey Canada did the whole charter, we did the make your arrangements and we both lost. This is SO not about how each team got there. It's all about both teams, shortsidedness and ineffectiveness in the big game, on the world stage, when it mattered. Surely Modano knows that eh?

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, it's too little to late IMO. Modano has 'shown' himself. And the only reason he is saying what he's saying now, is because he is being BLASTED all over North America. Did anyone see the number of FRONT PAGE strories on Modano and his act? I stopped counting articles after I read 20. He comes off as a complete ass.

Here's a thought. If he didn't mean any of it, and that's a big dang IF, then here's what you do next time around- don't speak to the media. Seriously, what would compel you, in the heat of coming off the ice in a game in which all was on the line and you got benched, to just start spouting off????? So if you couldn't say anything worth a darn, wouldn't it be prudent to go to the USA hockey media person and say, put someone else on the podium and let them talk- cause I'm not straight here. Nobody forces you to just start bumping your gums- uh, Coach Laviolette said "No Comment" when he was 'pressed' about the whole travel arrangement thing.

I do find it ironic that Modano get the hell out of dodge really fast, probably in just a click of a mouse. :roll.

So now he's had this Oprah moment, saw how terribly he came off, now sees the light and wants to atone for his sins. He's done alot of damage , IMO and if he thinks it's just as simple as holding hands and singing kumbyah, he's friggin crazy. My hope is USA Hockey thinks really hard before bringing him into any behind the scenes fold. Why would they? I don't care how decorated and how long he's been involved, if he's the best forward ever to come out of USA hockey- he did serious damage to the organization within a matter of minutes cause he couldn't contain himself. Couldn't be a leader and shut up like someone if his supposed stature should have. I would question anyone with that judgement and why any organization would reward that type of stupidity. (no, I'm not very forgiving :mad: )

And to put this whole travel arrangement thing to bed, Hockey Canada did the whole charter, we did the make your arrangements and we both lost. This is SO not about how each team got there. It's all about both teams, shortsidedness and ineffectiveness in the big game, on the world stage, when it mattered. Surely Modano knows that eh?

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, it's too little to late IMO. Modano has 'shown' himself. And the only reason he is saying what he's saying now, is because he is being BLASTED all over North America. Did anyone see the number of FRONT PAGE strories on Modano and his act? I stopped counting articles after I read 20. He comes off as a complete ass.

Here's a thought. If he didn't mean any of it, and that's a big dang IF, then here's what you do next time around- don't speak to the media. Seriously, what would compel you, in the heat of coming off the ice in a game in which all was on the line and you got benched, to just start spouting off????? So if you couldn't say anything worth a darn, wouldn't it be prudent to go to the USA hockey media person and say, put someone else on the podium and let them talk- cause I'm not straight here. Nobody forces you to just start bumping your gums- uh, Coach Laviolette said "No Comment" when he was 'pressed' about the whole travel arrangement thing.

I do find it ironic that Modano get the hell out of dodge really fast, probably in just a click of a mouse. :roll.

So now he's had this Oprah moment, saw how terribly he came off, now sees the light and wants to atone for his sins. He's done alot of damage , IMO and if he thinks it's just as simple as holding hands and singing kumbyah, he's friggin crazy. My hope is USA Hockey thinks really hard before bringing him into any behind the scenes fold. Why would they? I don't care how decorated and how long he's been involved, if he's the best forward ever to come out of USA hockey- he did serious damage to the organization within a matter of minutes cause he couldn't contain himself. Couldn't be a leader and shut up like someone if his supposed stature should have. I would question anyone with that judgement and why any organization would reward that type of stupidity. (no, I'm not very forgiving :mad: )

And to put this whole travel arrangement thing to bed, Hockey Canada did the whole charter, we did the make your arrangements and we both lost. This is SO not about how each team got there. It's all about both teams, shortsidedness and ineffectiveness in the big game, on the world stage, when it mattered. Surely Modano knows that eh?

[nccanes]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

[nccanes]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

[nccanes]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

[nccanes]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

[nccanes]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

[nccanes]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

[nccanes]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

[nccanes]

FWIW, this paints the picture that the USA players were able to get out of Torino quicker than most of the Canadian team.

Note: Simon Gagne left Turin for Philadelphia on Friday, having banged up his right knee in Canada's quarter-final loss to Russia. He was the first Canadian out. Most of the team is expected to take the Hockey Canada charter home Sunday. Ryan Smyth and Chris Pronger of the Edmonton Oilers were looking at leaving on their own accord Saturday while the Tampa trio of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards were trying to book a flight but still hadn't had any luck as of Friday night.


It'll be lovely for those Sunday arrivals to get back to North America and (for some) have to play 2 days later.

[nccanes]

FWIW, this paints the picture that the USA players were able to get out of Torino quicker than most of the Canadian team.

Note: Simon Gagne left Turin for Philadelphia on Friday, having banged up his right knee in Canada's quarter-final loss to Russia. He was the first Canadian out. Most of the team is expected to take the Hockey Canada charter home Sunday. Ryan Smyth and Chris Pronger of the Edmonton Oilers were looking at leaving on their own accord Saturday while the Tampa trio of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards were trying to book a flight but still hadn't had any luck as of Friday night.


It'll be lovely for those Sunday arrivals to get back to North America and (for some) have to play 2 days later.

[nccanes]

FWIW, this paints the picture that the USA players were able to get out of Torino quicker than most of the Canadian team.

Note: Simon Gagne left Turin for Philadelphia on Friday, having banged up his right knee in Canada's quarter-final loss to Russia. He was the first Canadian out. Most of the team is expected to take the Hockey Canada charter home Sunday. Ryan Smyth and Chris Pronger of the Edmonton Oilers were looking at leaving on their own accord Saturday while the Tampa trio of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards were trying to book a flight but still hadn't had any luck as of Friday night.


It'll be lovely for those Sunday arrivals to get back to North America and (for some) have to play 2 days later.

[nccanes]

FWIW, this paints the picture that the USA players were able to get out of Torino quicker than most of the Canadian team.

Note: Simon Gagne left Turin for Philadelphia on Friday, having banged up his right knee in Canada's quarter-final loss to Russia. He was the first Canadian out. Most of the team is expected to take the Hockey Canada charter home Sunday. Ryan Smyth and Chris Pronger of the Edmonton Oilers were looking at leaving on their own accord Saturday while the Tampa trio of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards were trying to book a flight but still hadn't had any luck as of Friday night.


It'll be lovely for those Sunday arrivals to get back to North America and (for some) have to play 2 days later.

[nccanes]

FWIW, this paints the picture that the USA players were able to get out of Torino quicker than most of the Canadian team.

Note: Simon Gagne left Turin for Philadelphia on Friday, having banged up his right knee in Canada's quarter-final loss to Russia. He was the first Canadian out. Most of the team is expected to take the Hockey Canada charter home Sunday. Ryan Smyth and Chris Pronger of the Edmonton Oilers were looking at leaving on their own accord Saturday while the Tampa trio of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards were trying to book a flight but still hadn't had any luck as of Friday night.


It'll be lovely for those Sunday arrivals to get back to North America and (for some) have to play 2 days later.

[nccanes]

FWIW, this paints the picture that the USA players were able to get out of Torino quicker than most of the Canadian team.

Note: Simon Gagne left Turin for Philadelphia on Friday, having banged up his right knee in Canada's quarter-final loss to Russia. He was the first Canadian out. Most of the team is expected to take the Hockey Canada charter home Sunday. Ryan Smyth and Chris Pronger of the Edmonton Oilers were looking at leaving on their own accord Saturday while the Tampa trio of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards were trying to book a flight but still hadn't had any luck as of Friday night.


It'll be lovely for those Sunday arrivals to get back to North America and (for some) have to play 2 days later.

[nccanes]

FWIW, this paints the picture that the USA players were able to get out of Torino quicker than most of the Canadian team.

Note: Simon Gagne left Turin for Philadelphia on Friday, having banged up his right knee in Canada's quarter-final loss to Russia. He was the first Canadian out. Most of the team is expected to take the Hockey Canada charter home Sunday. Ryan Smyth and Chris Pronger of the Edmonton Oilers were looking at leaving on their own accord Saturday while the Tampa trio of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards were trying to book a flight but still hadn't had any luck as of Friday night.


It'll be lovely for those Sunday arrivals to get back to North America and (for some) have to play 2 days later.

[caveman]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

i have another idea (sorry for no punctuation or capital letters, broke my stupid pinky finger playing basketball last night) that could really turn this around. modano can star in one of those southwest airlines commercials:

"want to get away?"

it would fit on so many levels. he was complaining about how hard travel plans were: cue southwest.com. he stuck his foot firmly into his mouth. fits right into their commercial series.

[caveman]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

i have another idea (sorry for no punctuation or capital letters, broke my stupid pinky finger playing basketball last night) that could really turn this around. modano can star in one of those southwest airlines commercials:

"want to get away?"

it would fit on so many levels. he was complaining about how hard travel plans were: cue southwest.com. he stuck his foot firmly into his mouth. fits right into their commercial series.

[caveman]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

i have another idea (sorry for no punctuation or capital letters, broke my stupid pinky finger playing basketball last night) that could really turn this around. modano can star in one of those southwest airlines commercials:

"want to get away?"

it would fit on so many levels. he was complaining about how hard travel plans were: cue southwest.com. he stuck his foot firmly into his mouth. fits right into their commercial series.

[caveman]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

i have another idea (sorry for no punctuation or capital letters, broke my stupid pinky finger playing basketball last night) that could really turn this around. modano can star in one of those southwest airlines commercials:

"want to get away?"

it would fit on so many levels. he was complaining about how hard travel plans were: cue southwest.com. he stuck his foot firmly into his mouth. fits right into their commercial series.

[caveman]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

i have another idea (sorry for no punctuation or capital letters, broke my stupid pinky finger playing basketball last night) that could really turn this around. modano can star in one of those southwest airlines commercials:

"want to get away?"

it would fit on so many levels. he was complaining about how hard travel plans were: cue southwest.com. he stuck his foot firmly into his mouth. fits right into their commercial series.

[caveman]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

i have another idea (sorry for no punctuation or capital letters, broke my stupid pinky finger playing basketball last night) that could really turn this around. modano can star in one of those southwest airlines commercials:

"want to get away?"

it would fit on so many levels. he was complaining about how hard travel plans were: cue southwest.com. he stuck his foot firmly into his mouth. fits right into their commercial series.

[caveman]

Perhaps Modano could endow a fund that will, from here forward, pamper the players and their families to all future international events. :evil:

i have another idea (sorry for no punctuation or capital letters, broke my stupid pinky finger playing basketball last night) that could really turn this around. modano can star in one of those southwest airlines commercials:

"want to get away?"

it would fit on so many levels. he was complaining about how hard travel plans were: cue southwest.com. he stuck his foot firmly into his mouth. fits right into their commercial series.

[puck_it]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

[puck_it]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

[puck_it]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

[puck_it]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

[puck_it]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

[puck_it]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

[puck_it]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

[Canesluver]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

Is that code? :evil:

[Canesluver]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

Is that code? :evil:

[Canesluver]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

Is that code? :evil:

[Canesluver]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

Is that code? :evil:

[Canesluver]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

Is that code? :evil:

[Canesluver]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

Is that code? :evil:

[Canesluver]

i have a perpetual broken pinky.

Is that code? :evil:

[IceSaber]

roflmfao :laugh:

[IceSaber]

roflmfao :laugh:

[IceSaber]

roflmfao :laugh:

[IceSaber]

roflmfao :laugh:

[IceSaber]

roflmfao :laugh:

[IceSaber]

roflmfao :laugh:

[IceSaber]

roflmfao :laugh:

[puck_it]

"broken pinky" was bob doles secret service code name when he was running for president.

[puck_it]

"broken pinky" was bob doles secret service code name when he was running for president.

[puck_it]

"broken pinky" was bob doles secret service code name when he was running for president.

[puck_it]

"broken pinky" was bob doles secret service code name when he was running for president.

[puck_it]

"broken pinky" was bob doles secret service code name when he was running for president.

[puck_it]

"broken pinky" was bob doles secret service code name when he was running for president.

[puck_it]

"broken pinky" was bob doles secret service code name when he was running for president.

[nccanes]

:laugh:

Okay, changing the subject.

I heard Mike Bossy interviewed this morning and wanted to share some of his thoughts, because they made so much sense.

He was asked about the idea of ditching the NHLers after 2010, and how it was such a popular topic among N American media and fans. He was like "just because the USA and Canada lost?" And went on to talk about the REST of the NHLers who are still wearing their countries colors proudly and loving every moment of the Olympics. He asked if anyone had spoken to THOSE players and fans and media about the satisfaction and pride and meaning of the games.

His personal opinion is that the Olympics are the best athletes, period and that the NHL should be there. He also made the comparison to the soccer World Cup and how the best in the world appear in that competition in addition to playing in professional leagues and that the players and fans LOVE it and it's good for the sport.

He makes good points and if these N American NHL players don't care enough, then find the ones that do.

Obviously the issue of shutting down the league and injuries is a different one, but the whole "make it amateurs again" seems to be a N American idea.

I have to say, I've never been a Selanne fan, nor a detractor, he was just the cute little guy that played in the Western conference. What fun it's been to see him and his national pride, his faith in his teammates, and how everyone on is willing to play the role they're asked. If it were the Americans or Canadians being interviewed today, no one would be whining about it being "pros".

[nccanes]

:laugh:

Okay, changing the subject.

I heard Mike Bossy interviewed this morning and wanted to share some of his thoughts, because they made so much sense.

He was asked about the idea of ditching the NHLers after 2010, and how it was such a popular topic among N American media and fans. He was like "just because the USA and Canada lost?" And went on to talk about the REST of the NHLers who are still wearing their countries colors proudly and loving every moment of the Olympics. He asked if anyone had spoken to THOSE players and fans and media about the satisfaction and pride and meaning of the games.

His personal opinion is that the Olympics are the best athletes, period and that the NHL should be there. He also made the comparison to the soccer World Cup and how the best in the world appear in that competition in addition to playing in professional leagues and that the players and fans LOVE it and it's good for the sport.

He makes good points and if these N American NHL players don't care enough, then find the ones that do.

Obviously the issue of shutting down the league and injuries is a different one, but the whole "make it amateurs again" seems to be a N American idea.

I have to say, I've never been a Selanne fan, nor a detractor, he was just the cute little guy that played in the Western conference. What fun it's been to see him and his national pride, his faith in his teammates, and how everyone on is willing to play the role they're asked. If it were the Americans or Canadians being interviewed today, no one would be whining about it being "pros".

[nccanes]

:laugh:

Okay, changing the subject.

I heard Mike Bossy interviewed this morning and wanted to share some of his thoughts, because they made so much sense.

He was asked about the idea of ditching the NHLers after 2010, and how it was such a popular topic among N American media and fans. He was like "just because the USA and Canada lost?" And went on to talk about the REST of the NHLers who are still wearing their countries colors proudly and loving every moment of the Olympics. He asked if anyone had spoken to THOSE players and fans and media about the satisfaction and pride and meaning of the games.

His personal opinion is that the Olympics are the best athletes, period and that the NHL should be there. He also made the comparison to the soccer World Cup and how the best in the world appear in that competition in addition to playing in professional leagues and that the players and fans LOVE it and it's good for the sport.

He makes good points and if these N American NHL players don't care enough, then find the ones that do.

Obviously the issue of shutting down the league and injuries is a different one, but the whole "make it amateurs again" seems to be a N American idea.

I have to say, I've never been a Selanne fan, nor a detractor, he was just the cute little guy that played in the Western conference. What fun it's been to see him and his national pride, his faith in his teammates, and how everyone on is willing to play the role they're asked. If it were the Americans or Canadians being interviewed today, no one would be whining about it being "pros".

[nccanes]

:laugh:

Okay, changing the subject.

I heard Mike Bossy interviewed this morning and wanted to share some of his thoughts, because they made so much sense.

He was asked about the idea of ditching the NHLers after 2010, and how it was such a popular topic among N American media and fans. He was like "just because the USA and Canada lost?" And went on to talk about the REST of the NHLers who are still wearing their countries colors proudly and loving every moment of the Olympics. He asked if anyone had spoken to THOSE players and fans and media about the satisfaction and pride and meaning of the games.

His personal opinion is that the Olympics are the best athletes, period and that the NHL should be there. He also made the comparison to the soccer World Cup and how the best in the world appear in that competition in addition to playing in professional leagues and that the players and fans LOVE it and it's good for the sport.

He makes good points and if these N American NHL players don't care enough, then find the ones that do.

Obviously the issue of shutting down the league and injuries is a different one, but the whole "make it amateurs again" seems to be a N American idea.

I have to say, I've never been a Selanne fan, nor a detractor, he was just the cute little guy that played in the Western conference. What fun it's been to see him and his national pride, his faith in his teammates, and how everyone on is willing to play the role they're asked. If it were the Americans or Canadians being interviewed today, no one would be whining about it being "pros".

[nccanes]

:laugh:

Okay, changing the subject.

I heard Mike Bossy interviewed this morning and wanted to share some of his thoughts, because they made so much sense.

He was asked about the idea of ditching the NHLers after 2010, and how it was such a popular topic among N American media and fans. He was like "just because the USA and Canada lost?" And went on to talk about the REST of the NHLers who are still wearing their countries colors proudly and loving every moment of the Olympics. He asked if anyone had spoken to THOSE players and fans and media about the satisfaction and pride and meaning of the games.

His personal opinion is that the Olympics are the best athletes, period and that the NHL should be there. He also made the comparison to the soccer World Cup and how the best in the world appear in that competition in addition to playing in professional leagues and that the players and fans LOVE it and it's good for the sport.

He makes good points and if these N American NHL players don't care enough, then find the ones that do.

Obviously the issue of shutting down the league and injuries is a different one, but the whole "make it amateurs again" seems to be a N American idea.

I have to say, I've never been a Selanne fan, nor a detractor, he was just the cute little guy that played in the Western conference. What fun it's been to see him and his national pride, his faith in his teammates, and how everyone on is willing to play the role they're asked. If it were the Americans or Canadians being interviewed today, no one would be whining about it being "pros".

[nccanes]

:laugh:

Okay, changing the subject.

I heard Mike Bossy interviewed this morning and wanted to share some of his thoughts, because they made so much sense.

He was asked about the idea of ditching the NHLers after 2010, and how it was such a popular topic among N American media and fans. He was like "just because the USA and Canada lost?" And went on to talk about the REST of the NHLers who are still wearing their countries colors proudly and loving every moment of the Olympics. He asked if anyone had spoken to THOSE players and fans and media about the satisfaction and pride and meaning of the games.

His personal opinion is that the Olympics are the best athletes, period and that the NHL should be there. He also made the comparison to the soccer World Cup and how the best in the world appear in that competition in addition to playing in professional leagues and that the players and fans LOVE it and it's good for the sport.

He makes good points and if these N American NHL players don't care enough, then find the ones that do.

Obviously the issue of shutting down the league and injuries is a different one, but the whole "make it amateurs again" seems to be a N American idea.

I have to say, I've never been a Selanne fan, nor a detractor, he was just the cute little guy that played in the Western conference. What fun it's been to see him and his national pride, his faith in his teammates, and how everyone on is willing to play the role they're asked. If it were the Americans or Canadians being interviewed today, no one would be whining about it being "pros".

[nccanes]

:laugh:

Okay, changing the subject.

I heard Mike Bossy interviewed this morning and wanted to share some of his thoughts, because they made so much sense.

He was asked about the idea of ditching the NHLers after 2010, and how it was such a popular topic among N American media and fans. He was like "just because the USA and Canada lost?" And went on to talk about the REST of the NHLers who are still wearing their countries colors proudly and loving every moment of the Olympics. He asked if anyone had spoken to THOSE players and fans and media about the satisfaction and pride and meaning of the games.

His personal opinion is that the Olympics are the best athletes, period and that the NHL should be there. He also made the comparison to the soccer World Cup and how the best in the world appear in that competition in addition to playing in professional leagues and that the players and fans LOVE it and it's good for the sport.

He makes good points and if these N American NHL players don't care enough, then find the ones that do.

Obviously the issue of shutting down the league and injuries is a different one, but the whole "make it amateurs again" seems to be a N American idea.

I have to say, I've never been a Selanne fan, nor a detractor, he was just the cute little guy that played in the Western conference. What fun it's been to see him and his national pride, his faith in his teammates, and how everyone on is willing to play the role they're asked. If it were the Americans or Canadians being interviewed today, no one would be whining about it being "pros".

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!

[puckin_A]

I've always been a huge Selanne fan, even have his Suomi jersey but I didn't like it when he acted like they didn't have to work that hard against us when the US probably were the closest to tieing possibly beating them. We just ran out of time......lol

wow.....I do hope they win it all though. They have five shutouts in seven games and only five goals against. 3 from the US :D

[puckin_A]

I've always been a huge Selanne fan, even have his Suomi jersey but I didn't like it when he acted like they didn't have to work that hard against us when the US probably were the closest to tieing possibly beating them. We just ran out of time......lol

wow.....I do hope they win it all though. They have five shutouts in seven games and only five goals against. 3 from the US :D

[puckin_A]

I've always been a huge Selanne fan, even have his Suomi jersey but I didn't like it when he acted like they didn't have to work that hard against us when the US probably were the closest to tieing possibly beating them. We just ran out of time......lol

wow.....I do hope they win it all though. They have five shutouts in seven games and only five goals against. 3 from the US :D

[puckin_A]

I've always been a huge Selanne fan, even have his Suomi jersey but I didn't like it when he acted like they didn't have to work that hard against us when the US probably were the closest to tieing possibly beating them. We just ran out of time......lol

wow.....I do hope they win it all though. They have five shutouts in seven games and only five goals against. 3 from the US :D

[puckin_A]

I've always been a huge Selanne fan, even have his Suomi jersey but I didn't like it when he acted like they didn't have to work that hard against us when the US probably were the closest to tieing possibly beating them. We just ran out of time......lol

wow.....I do hope they win it all though. They have five shutouts in seven games and only five goals against. 3 from the US :D

[puckin_A]

I've always been a huge Selanne fan, even have his Suomi jersey but I didn't like it when he acted like they didn't have to work that hard against us when the US probably were the closest to tieing possibly beating them. We just ran out of time......lol

wow.....I do hope they win it all though. They have five shutouts in seven games and only five goals against. 3 from the US :D

[puckin_A]

I've always been a huge Selanne fan, even have his Suomi jersey but I didn't like it when he acted like they didn't have to work that hard against us when the US probably were the closest to tieing possibly beating them. We just ran out of time......lol

wow.....I do hope they win it all though. They have five shutouts in seven games and only five goals against. 3 from the US :D

[SoCalcaniac]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!


SHC- you and I are on the same wavelength- I've always been a big Teemu fan- one of my first real 'favorite' hockey players way back in his early days- and it has been so awesome to see and hear him everytime he's interviewed- I Tivo'd both semi final games- and just finished watching them- and I loved the interview in the studio with Clement & Ferraro and the post game, he's like a big kid with national pride thrown in there- and what was totally endearing was when Clement asked about his 'chiclets' missing- he said "oh they're just teeth you can get some new ones, this tournament is so important" LMAO.

And yep, the best teams won. Period. Canada and the US don't wanna hear that, but it's true.

And E- I was running a little later than my usual 7am arrival to work, so I heard the Mike Bossy/XM comments- he was DEAD on. This whole 'oh the grind of so many games compressed in the Olympics and let's go back to amateurs' take is all about us North Americans getting schooled at "our" own game. We need to get over ourselves.... I heard a replay of Bossy's interview yesterday and he said something along the lines of "North Americans have a superiority complex" suggesting that it has to be 'our way' or it doesn't count. I'll agree with that for sure.

Back OT, I think Finns will edge the Swedes on Sunday.....

[SoCalcaniac]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!


SHC- you and I are on the same wavelength- I've always been a big Teemu fan- one of my first real 'favorite' hockey players way back in his early days- and it has been so awesome to see and hear him everytime he's interviewed- I Tivo'd both semi final games- and just finished watching them- and I loved the interview in the studio with Clement & Ferraro and the post game, he's like a big kid with national pride thrown in there- and what was totally endearing was when Clement asked about his 'chiclets' missing- he said "oh they're just teeth you can get some new ones, this tournament is so important" LMAO.

And yep, the best teams won. Period. Canada and the US don't wanna hear that, but it's true.

And E- I was running a little later than my usual 7am arrival to work, so I heard the Mike Bossy/XM comments- he was DEAD on. This whole 'oh the grind of so many games compressed in the Olympics and let's go back to amateurs' take is all about us North Americans getting schooled at "our" own game. We need to get over ourselves.... I heard a replay of Bossy's interview yesterday and he said something along the lines of "North Americans have a superiority complex" suggesting that it has to be 'our way' or it doesn't count. I'll agree with that for sure.

Back OT, I think Finns will edge the Swedes on Sunday.....

[SoCalcaniac]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!


SHC- you and I are on the same wavelength- I've always been a big Teemu fan- one of my first real 'favorite' hockey players way back in his early days- and it has been so awesome to see and hear him everytime he's interviewed- I Tivo'd both semi final games- and just finished watching them- and I loved the interview in the studio with Clement & Ferraro and the post game, he's like a big kid with national pride thrown in there- and what was totally endearing was when Clement asked about his 'chiclets' missing- he said "oh they're just teeth you can get some new ones, this tournament is so important" LMAO.

And yep, the best teams won. Period. Canada and the US don't wanna hear that, but it's true.

And E- I was running a little later than my usual 7am arrival to work, so I heard the Mike Bossy/XM comments- he was DEAD on. This whole 'oh the grind of so many games compressed in the Olympics and let's go back to amateurs' take is all about us North Americans getting schooled at "our" own game. We need to get over ourselves.... I heard a replay of Bossy's interview yesterday and he said something along the lines of "North Americans have a superiority complex" suggesting that it has to be 'our way' or it doesn't count. I'll agree with that for sure.

Back OT, I think Finns will edge the Swedes on Sunday.....

[SoCalcaniac]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!


SHC- you and I are on the same wavelength- I've always been a big Teemu fan- one of my first real 'favorite' hockey players way back in his early days- and it has been so awesome to see and hear him everytime he's interviewed- I Tivo'd both semi final games- and just finished watching them- and I loved the interview in the studio with Clement & Ferraro and the post game, he's like a big kid with national pride thrown in there- and what was totally endearing was when Clement asked about his 'chiclets' missing- he said "oh they're just teeth you can get some new ones, this tournament is so important" LMAO.

And yep, the best teams won. Period. Canada and the US don't wanna hear that, but it's true.

And E- I was running a little later than my usual 7am arrival to work, so I heard the Mike Bossy/XM comments- he was DEAD on. This whole 'oh the grind of so many games compressed in the Olympics and let's go back to amateurs' take is all about us North Americans getting schooled at "our" own game. We need to get over ourselves.... I heard a replay of Bossy's interview yesterday and he said something along the lines of "North Americans have a superiority complex" suggesting that it has to be 'our way' or it doesn't count. I'll agree with that for sure.

Back OT, I think Finns will edge the Swedes on Sunday.....

[SoCalcaniac]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!


SHC- you and I are on the same wavelength- I've always been a big Teemu fan- one of my first real 'favorite' hockey players way back in his early days- and it has been so awesome to see and hear him everytime he's interviewed- I Tivo'd both semi final games- and just finished watching them- and I loved the interview in the studio with Clement & Ferraro and the post game, he's like a big kid with national pride thrown in there- and what was totally endearing was when Clement asked about his 'chiclets' missing- he said "oh they're just teeth you can get some new ones, this tournament is so important" LMAO.

And yep, the best teams won. Period. Canada and the US don't wanna hear that, but it's true.

And E- I was running a little later than my usual 7am arrival to work, so I heard the Mike Bossy/XM comments- he was DEAD on. This whole 'oh the grind of so many games compressed in the Olympics and let's go back to amateurs' take is all about us North Americans getting schooled at "our" own game. We need to get over ourselves.... I heard a replay of Bossy's interview yesterday and he said something along the lines of "North Americans have a superiority complex" suggesting that it has to be 'our way' or it doesn't count. I'll agree with that for sure.

Back OT, I think Finns will edge the Swedes on Sunday.....

[SoCalcaniac]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!


SHC- you and I are on the same wavelength- I've always been a big Teemu fan- one of my first real 'favorite' hockey players way back in his early days- and it has been so awesome to see and hear him everytime he's interviewed- I Tivo'd both semi final games- and just finished watching them- and I loved the interview in the studio with Clement & Ferraro and the post game, he's like a big kid with national pride thrown in there- and what was totally endearing was when Clement asked about his 'chiclets' missing- he said "oh they're just teeth you can get some new ones, this tournament is so important" LMAO.

And yep, the best teams won. Period. Canada and the US don't wanna hear that, but it's true.

And E- I was running a little later than my usual 7am arrival to work, so I heard the Mike Bossy/XM comments- he was DEAD on. This whole 'oh the grind of so many games compressed in the Olympics and let's go back to amateurs' take is all about us North Americans getting schooled at "our" own game. We need to get over ourselves.... I heard a replay of Bossy's interview yesterday and he said something along the lines of "North Americans have a superiority complex" suggesting that it has to be 'our way' or it doesn't count. I'll agree with that for sure.

Back OT, I think Finns will edge the Swedes on Sunday.....

[SoCalcaniac]

I was just saying how much I have loved every single word out of Selanne's mouth. Every time I see him interviewed I can't help but grin from ear to ear. It's just beautiful.

I hate to break it to USA and Canada both....but the best teams won.

This is gonna be one helluva gold medal game. And bronze game!


SHC- you and I are on the same wavelength- I've always been a big Teemu fan- one of my first real 'favorite' hockey players way back in his early days- and it has been so awesome to see and hear him everytime he's interviewed- I Tivo'd both semi final games- and just finished watching them- and I loved the interview in the studio with Clement & Ferraro and the post game, he's like a big kid with national pride thrown in there- and what was totally endearing was when Clement asked about his 'chiclets' missing- he said "oh they're just teeth you can get some new ones, this tournament is so important" LMAO.

And yep, the best teams won. Period. Canada and the US don't wanna hear that, but it's true.

And E- I was running a little later than my usual 7am arrival to work, so I heard the Mike Bossy/XM comments- he was DEAD on. This whole 'oh the grind of so many games compressed in the Olympics and let's go back to amateurs' take is all about us North Americans getting schooled at "our" own game. We need to get over ourselves.... I heard a replay of Bossy's interview yesterday and he said something along the lines of "North Americans have a superiority complex" suggesting that it has to be 'our way' or it doesn't count. I'll agree with that for sure.

Back OT, I think Finns will edge the Swedes on Sunday.....

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Associated Press
2/24/2006 8:09:21 PM
DALLAS (AP) -
Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano has apologized for the tone of recent criticisms of USA Hockey, saying the "timing was bad" and that he wants to help the organization in the future.

Modano blasted coaches and administrators after the United States lost to Finland 4-3 in the quarter-finals of the Turin Olympics and finished 1-4-1.

Benched in the third period against Finland, Modano slammed administrators for not taking care of "distractions," such as travel arrangements, and said the organization needed "new blood."

Modano didn't back off his criticisms in a Thursday interview with The Dallas Morning News, but he said he wanted to be more proactive and constructive in his approach to USA Hockey.

"I've been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me," the three-time Olympian told the newspaper. "I don't want to leave it like this."

Modano said he was upset about being benched and let his emotions do the talking.

"I think the timing was bad," he said.

Modano also said he was angry because he figured it was his last game for Team USA. That feeling turned more to sadness a day later, he said. If he plays in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Modano would be almost 40.

"It's not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything," he said. "It's tough to look back and think it might be over."

Modano was out of town and unavailable for comment Friday, a Stars spokesman said.

The Stars practised Friday, but Modano isn't expected to be back with the team until Tuesday, the day the rest of the team's Olympians are scheduled to return. The Stars resume play Thursday night at Phoenix.

Jere Lehtinen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen and Niklas Hagman will play for Finland in Sunday's gold-medal game against Sweden.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Associated Press
2/24/2006 8:09:21 PM
DALLAS (AP) -
Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano has apologized for the tone of recent criticisms of USA Hockey, saying the "timing was bad" and that he wants to help the organization in the future.

Modano blasted coaches and administrators after the United States lost to Finland 4-3 in the quarter-finals of the Turin Olympics and finished 1-4-1.

Benched in the third period against Finland, Modano slammed administrators for not taking care of "distractions," such as travel arrangements, and said the organization needed "new blood."

Modano didn't back off his criticisms in a Thursday interview with The Dallas Morning News, but he said he wanted to be more proactive and constructive in his approach to USA Hockey.

"I've been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me," the three-time Olympian told the newspaper. "I don't want to leave it like this."

Modano said he was upset about being benched and let his emotions do the talking.

"I think the timing was bad," he said.

Modano also said he was angry because he figured it was his last game for Team USA. That feeling turned more to sadness a day later, he said. If he plays in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Modano would be almost 40.

"It's not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything," he said. "It's tough to look back and think it might be over."

Modano was out of town and unavailable for comment Friday, a Stars spokesman said.

The Stars practised Friday, but Modano isn't expected to be back with the team until Tuesday, the day the rest of the team's Olympians are scheduled to return. The Stars resume play Thursday night at Phoenix.

Jere Lehtinen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen and Niklas Hagman will play for Finland in Sunday's gold-medal game against Sweden.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Associated Press
2/24/2006 8:09:21 PM
DALLAS (AP) -
Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano has apologized for the tone of recent criticisms of USA Hockey, saying the "timing was bad" and that he wants to help the organization in the future.

Modano blasted coaches and administrators after the United States lost to Finland 4-3 in the quarter-finals of the Turin Olympics and finished 1-4-1.

Benched in the third period against Finland, Modano slammed administrators for not taking care of "distractions," such as travel arrangements, and said the organization needed "new blood."

Modano didn't back off his criticisms in a Thursday interview with The Dallas Morning News, but he said he wanted to be more proactive and constructive in his approach to USA Hockey.

"I've been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me," the three-time Olympian told the newspaper. "I don't want to leave it like this."

Modano said he was upset about being benched and let his emotions do the talking.

"I think the timing was bad," he said.

Modano also said he was angry because he figured it was his last game for Team USA. That feeling turned more to sadness a day later, he said. If he plays in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Modano would be almost 40.

"It's not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything," he said. "It's tough to look back and think it might be over."

Modano was out of town and unavailable for comment Friday, a Stars spokesman said.

The Stars practised Friday, but Modano isn't expected to be back with the team until Tuesday, the day the rest of the team's Olympians are scheduled to return. The Stars resume play Thursday night at Phoenix.

Jere Lehtinen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen and Niklas Hagman will play for Finland in Sunday's gold-medal game against Sweden.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Associated Press
2/24/2006 8:09:21 PM
DALLAS (AP) -
Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano has apologized for the tone of recent criticisms of USA Hockey, saying the "timing was bad" and that he wants to help the organization in the future.

Modano blasted coaches and administrators after the United States lost to Finland 4-3 in the quarter-finals of the Turin Olympics and finished 1-4-1.

Benched in the third period against Finland, Modano slammed administrators for not taking care of "distractions," such as travel arrangements, and said the organization needed "new blood."

Modano didn't back off his criticisms in a Thursday interview with The Dallas Morning News, but he said he wanted to be more proactive and constructive in his approach to USA Hockey.

"I've been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me," the three-time Olympian told the newspaper. "I don't want to leave it like this."

Modano said he was upset about being benched and let his emotions do the talking.

"I think the timing was bad," he said.

Modano also said he was angry because he figured it was his last game for Team USA. That feeling turned more to sadness a day later, he said. If he plays in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Modano would be almost 40.

"It's not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything," he said. "It's tough to look back and think it might be over."

Modano was out of town and unavailable for comment Friday, a Stars spokesman said.

The Stars practised Friday, but Modano isn't expected to be back with the team until Tuesday, the day the rest of the team's Olympians are scheduled to return. The Stars resume play Thursday night at Phoenix.

Jere Lehtinen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen and Niklas Hagman will play for Finland in Sunday's gold-medal game against Sweden.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Associated Press
2/24/2006 8:09:21 PM
DALLAS (AP) -
Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano has apologized for the tone of recent criticisms of USA Hockey, saying the "timing was bad" and that he wants to help the organization in the future.

Modano blasted coaches and administrators after the United States lost to Finland 4-3 in the quarter-finals of the Turin Olympics and finished 1-4-1.

Benched in the third period against Finland, Modano slammed administrators for not taking care of "distractions," such as travel arrangements, and said the organization needed "new blood."

Modano didn't back off his criticisms in a Thursday interview with The Dallas Morning News, but he said he wanted to be more proactive and constructive in his approach to USA Hockey.

"I've been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me," the three-time Olympian told the newspaper. "I don't want to leave it like this."

Modano said he was upset about being benched and let his emotions do the talking.

"I think the timing was bad," he said.

Modano also said he was angry because he figured it was his last game for Team USA. That feeling turned more to sadness a day later, he said. If he plays in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Modano would be almost 40.

"It's not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything," he said. "It's tough to look back and think it might be over."

Modano was out of town and unavailable for comment Friday, a Stars spokesman said.

The Stars practised Friday, but Modano isn't expected to be back with the team until Tuesday, the day the rest of the team's Olympians are scheduled to return. The Stars resume play Thursday night at Phoenix.

Jere Lehtinen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen and Niklas Hagman will play for Finland in Sunday's gold-medal game against Sweden.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Associated Press
2/24/2006 8:09:21 PM
DALLAS (AP) -
Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano has apologized for the tone of recent criticisms of USA Hockey, saying the "timing was bad" and that he wants to help the organization in the future.

Modano blasted coaches and administrators after the United States lost to Finland 4-3 in the quarter-finals of the Turin Olympics and finished 1-4-1.

Benched in the third period against Finland, Modano slammed administrators for not taking care of "distractions," such as travel arrangements, and said the organization needed "new blood."

Modano didn't back off his criticisms in a Thursday interview with The Dallas Morning News, but he said he wanted to be more proactive and constructive in his approach to USA Hockey.

"I've been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me," the three-time Olympian told the newspaper. "I don't want to leave it like this."

Modano said he was upset about being benched and let his emotions do the talking.

"I think the timing was bad," he said.

Modano also said he was angry because he figured it was his last game for Team USA. That feeling turned more to sadness a day later, he said. If he plays in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Modano would be almost 40.

"It's not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything," he said. "It's tough to look back and think it might be over."

Modano was out of town and unavailable for comment Friday, a Stars spokesman said.

The Stars practised Friday, but Modano isn't expected to be back with the team until Tuesday, the day the rest of the team's Olympians are scheduled to return. The Stars resume play Thursday night at Phoenix.

Jere Lehtinen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen and Niklas Hagman will play for Finland in Sunday's gold-medal game against Sweden.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Associated Press
2/24/2006 8:09:21 PM
DALLAS (AP) -
Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano has apologized for the tone of recent criticisms of USA Hockey, saying the "timing was bad" and that he wants to help the organization in the future.

Modano blasted coaches and administrators after the United States lost to Finland 4-3 in the quarter-finals of the Turin Olympics and finished 1-4-1.

Benched in the third period against Finland, Modano slammed administrators for not taking care of "distractions," such as travel arrangements, and said the organization needed "new blood."

Modano didn't back off his criticisms in a Thursday interview with The Dallas Morning News, but he said he wanted to be more proactive and constructive in his approach to USA Hockey.

"I've been a part of this program for 20 years, and it means a lot to me," the three-time Olympian told the newspaper. "I don't want to leave it like this."

Modano said he was upset about being benched and let his emotions do the talking.

"I think the timing was bad," he said.

Modano also said he was angry because he figured it was his last game for Team USA. That feeling turned more to sadness a day later, he said. If he plays in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Modano would be almost 40.

"It's not at all how I would want to go out, and that probably affected me as much as anything," he said. "It's tough to look back and think it might be over."

Modano was out of town and unavailable for comment Friday, a Stars spokesman said.

The Stars practised Friday, but Modano isn't expected to be back with the team until Tuesday, the day the rest of the team's Olympians are scheduled to return. The Stars resume play Thursday night at Phoenix.

Jere Lehtinen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen and Niklas Hagman will play for Finland in Sunday's gold-medal game against Sweden.

[apolinar]

Hey Modano,
If this was your last time in the uniform, WHY DIDN"T YOU PLAY and LEAD YOUR ASS OFF TO WIN GOLD? Oh, you were too busy *****in' about things and the coach.

You said it yourself. Time for new blood. Why would US Hockey continue on with you when in your last Olympics you couldn't even muster any emotion for you or your teammates to play hard the whole time? I hate to say a good thing about a Red Wing but Chelios was at least playing like a leader on the ice. Couldn't you find the legs to play a little harder in honor of the guys who wore the same uniform 26 years ago? Oh, no. Blast the whole program.

You watch the games of the semifinalists and you can see the major difference between them and the US and Canada. They had the leadership and national pride that made them want to win, so much so that Pavel Datsyuk is playing with a broken pinky. (Had to fit that in).

Mike Modano in no way appears valuable to USA hockey at this time. I hope team usa can hear your apology from across the Atlantic. GROW UP BRAT.

[apolinar]

Hey Modano,
If this was your last time in the uniform, WHY DIDN"T YOU PLAY and LEAD YOUR ASS OFF TO WIN GOLD? Oh, you were too busy *****in' about things and the coach.

You said it yourself. Time for new blood. Why would US Hockey continue on with you when in your last Olympics you couldn't even muster any emotion for you or your teammates to play hard the whole time? I hate to say a good thing about a Red Wing but Chelios was at least playing like a leader on the ice. Couldn't you find the legs to play a little harder in honor of the guys who wore the same uniform 26 years ago? Oh, no. Blast the whole program.

You watch the games of the semifinalists and you can see the major difference between them and the US and Canada. They had the leadership and national pride that made them want to win, so much so that Pavel Datsyuk is playing with a broken pinky. (Had to fit that in).

Mike Modano in no way appears valuable to USA hockey at this time. I hope team usa can hear your apology from across the Atlantic. GROW UP BRAT.

[apolinar]

Hey Modano,
If this was your last time in the uniform, WHY DIDN"T YOU PLAY and LEAD YOUR ASS OFF TO WIN GOLD? Oh, you were too busy *****in' about things and the coach.

You said it yourself. Time for new blood. Why would US Hockey continue on with you when in your last Olympics you couldn't even muster any emotion for you or your teammates to play hard the whole time? I hate to say a good thing about a Red Wing but Chelios was at least playing like a leader on the ice. Couldn't you find the legs to play a little harder in honor of the guys who wore the same uniform 26 years ago? Oh, no. Blast the whole program.

You watch the games of the semifinalists and you can see the major difference between them and the US and Canada. They had the leadership and national pride that made them want to win, so much so that Pavel Datsyuk is playing with a broken pinky. (Had to fit that in).

Mike Modano in no way appears valuable to USA hockey at this time. I hope team usa can hear your apology from across the Atlantic. GROW UP BRAT.

[apolinar]

Hey Modano,
If this was your last time in the uniform, WHY DIDN"T YOU PLAY and LEAD YOUR ASS OFF TO WIN GOLD? Oh, you were too busy *****in' about things and the coach.

You said it yourself. Time for new blood. Why would US Hockey continue on with you when in your last Olympics you couldn't even muster any emotion for you or your teammates to play hard the whole time? I hate to say a good thing about a Red Wing but Chelios was at least playing like a leader on the ice. Couldn't you find the legs to play a little harder in honor of the guys who wore the same uniform 26 years ago? Oh, no. Blast the whole program.

You watch the games of the semifinalists and you can see the major difference between them and the US and Canada. They had the leadership and national pride that made them want to win, so much so that Pavel Datsyuk is playing with a broken pinky. (Had to fit that in).

Mike Modano in no way appears valuable to USA hockey at this time. I hope team usa can hear your apology from across the Atlantic. GROW UP BRAT.

[apolinar]

Hey Modano,
If this was your last time in the uniform, WHY DIDN"T YOU PLAY and LEAD YOUR ASS OFF TO WIN GOLD? Oh, you were too busy *****in' about things and the coach.

You said it yourself. Time for new blood. Why would US Hockey continue on with you when in your last Olympics you couldn't even muster any emotion for you or your teammates to play hard the whole time? I hate to say a good thing about a Red Wing but Chelios was at least playing like a leader on the ice. Couldn't you find the legs to play a little harder in honor of the guys who wore the same uniform 26 years ago? Oh, no. Blast the whole program.

You watch the games of the semifinalists and you can see the major difference between them and the US and Canada. They had the leadership and national pride that made them want to win, so much so that Pavel Datsyuk is playing with a broken pinky. (Had to fit that in).

Mike Modano in no way appears valuable to USA hockey at this time. I hope team usa can hear your apology from across the Atlantic. GROW UP BRAT.

[apolinar]

Hey Modano,
If this was your last time in the uniform, WHY DIDN"T YOU PLAY and LEAD YOUR ASS OFF TO WIN GOLD? Oh, you were too busy *****in' about things and the coach.

You said it yourself. Time for new blood. Why would US Hockey continue on with you when in your last Olympics you couldn't even muster any emotion for you or your teammates to play hard the whole time? I hate to say a good thing about a Red Wing but Chelios was at least playing like a leader on the ice. Couldn't you find the legs to play a little harder in honor of the guys who wore the same uniform 26 years ago? Oh, no. Blast the whole program.

You watch the games of the semifinalists and you can see the major difference between them and the US and Canada. They had the leadership and national pride that made them want to win, so much so that Pavel Datsyuk is playing with a broken pinky. (Had to fit that in).

Mike Modano in no way appears valuable to USA hockey at this time. I hope team usa can hear your apology from across the Atlantic. GROW UP BRAT.

[apolinar]

Hey Modano,
If this was your last time in the uniform, WHY DIDN"T YOU PLAY and LEAD YOUR ASS OFF TO WIN GOLD? Oh, you were too busy *****in' about things and the coach.

You said it yourself. Time for new blood. Why would US Hockey continue on with you when in your last Olympics you couldn't even muster any emotion for you or your teammates to play hard the whole time? I hate to say a good thing about a Red Wing but Chelios was at least playing like a leader on the ice. Couldn't you find the legs to play a little harder in honor of the guys who wore the same uniform 26 years ago? Oh, no. Blast the whole program.

You watch the games of the semifinalists and you can see the major difference between them and the US and Canada. They had the leadership and national pride that made them want to win, so much so that Pavel Datsyuk is playing with a broken pinky. (Had to fit that in).

Mike Modano in no way appears valuable to USA hockey at this time. I hope team usa can hear your apology from across the Atlantic. GROW UP BRAT.

[puckin_A]

actually Modano scored two goals which was alot more than most of the guys on the team. I can't question his heart (just his age)

[puckin_A]

actually Modano scored two goals which was alot more than most of the guys on the team. I can't question his heart (just his age)

[puckin_A]

actually Modano scored two goals which was alot more than most of the guys on the team. I can't question his heart (just his age)

[puckin_A]

actually Modano scored two goals which was alot more than most of the guys on the team. I can't question his heart (just his age)

[puckin_A]

actually Modano scored two goals which was alot more than most of the guys on the team. I can't question his heart (just his age)

[puckin_A]

actually Modano scored two goals which was alot more than most of the guys on the team. I can't question his heart (just his age)

[puckin_A]

actually Modano scored two goals which was alot more than most of the guys on the team. I can't question his heart (just his age)

[Esbee]

"I think everybody learned what it really takes,'' Canadian forward Joe Sakic said. "We didn't play well enough. We didn't deserve to win.''

I'm sure that's what Modano meant to say. He just let his emotions get the best of him. Yeah. Right.

[Esbee]

"I think everybody learned what it really takes,'' Canadian forward Joe Sakic said. "We didn't play well enough. We didn't deserve to win.''

I'm sure that's what Modano meant to say. He just let his emotions get the best of him. Yeah. Right.

[Esbee]

"I think everybody learned what it really takes,'' Canadian forward Joe Sakic said. "We didn't play well enough. We didn't deserve to win.''

I'm sure that's what Modano meant to say. He just let his emotions get the best of him. Yeah. Right.

[Esbee]

"I think everybody learned what it really takes,'' Canadian forward Joe Sakic said. "We didn't play well enough. We didn't deserve to win.''

I'm sure that's what Modano meant to say. He just let his emotions get the best of him. Yeah. Right.

[Esbee]

"I think everybody learned what it really takes,'' Canadian forward Joe Sakic said. "We didn't play well enough. We didn't deserve to win.''

I'm sure that's what Modano meant to say. He just let his emotions get the best of him. Yeah. Right.

[Esbee]

"I think everybody learned what it really takes,'' Canadian forward Joe Sakic said. "We didn't play well enough. We didn't deserve to win.''

I'm sure that's what Modano meant to say. He just let his emotions get the best of him. Yeah. Right.

[Esbee]

"I think everybody learned what it really takes,'' Canadian forward Joe Sakic said. "We didn't play well enough. We didn't deserve to win.''

I'm sure that's what Modano meant to say. He just let his emotions get the best of him. Yeah. Right.

[nccanes]

Just stop. Please. Or go and see if you can become a Canadian citizen. Good luck making the team.

HOCKEY

Parrish backs Modano gripe

BY ALAN HAHN
STAFF WRITER

February 27, 2006

Jason Blake took an extra day off and Rick DiPietro was too weary from traveling to get into it, so Mark Parrish, the third of the Islanders' three U.S. Olympians, agreed to address the controversy now surrounding USA Hockey and the criticism it received from star center Mike Modano.

Parrish didn't dispute Modano's claim that USA Hockey needed "new blood" after a disappointing performance at the Turin Olympics and the frustration of trying to get there. Team USA players had to find their own way to the Games and their families were given little to no assistance in arranging hotels.

The strongest of the complaints involved how the players, who stayed in the Olympic village, had no designated place to meet with their family members after games. Team Canada, for instance, rented a restaurant for the two weeks for players and family to get together. The Americans were left with meeting family at a gas station across the street from the arena.

After Team USA was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Modano blasted USA Hockey officials for poor organization, which was in contrast to the experience the players had in Salt Lake City in 2002.

"When a guy like Mike Modano, who is a stand-up guy that has done so much for USA Hockey, has that point of view, I would listen," Parrish said yesterday after he participated in the Islanders' practice at Iceworks. "He isn't a man that says much and he certainly isn't known as a complainer."

Parrish, 29, has his own reasons to complain; despite Team USA's struggle for offense he was rarely used and did not get a single shift in the 4-3 quarterfinal loss to Finland last Wednesday. But Parrish would not criticize Team USA coach Peter Laviolette, who coached him with the Islanders from 2001-03.

"The competitiveness in me was definitely burning up and I wanted to be out there," said Parrish, who has 21 goals this season with the Islanders. "But there are so many great players sitting on the bench that I certainly didn't envy Peter's job in having to choose which goal-scorers to go with."

Parrish will be 33 by the time of the 2010 Games in Vancouver and knows this might have been his only Olympic experience. "I had an amazing time with the guys on the team," he said. "They made it one of the most memorable moments of my life."




The whole "the Canadians did this" has nothing to do with hockey, because their approach didn't work either. Guess the "European Vacation" portion of the Olympics wasn't 5 star. And for that, we're truly sorry. :sick:

Edit: wanted to say that I'm sure the athletes want their families to be as comfortable as possible during the games, but I also think ALL of the athletes would enjoy that. And since these guys are the richest of the athletes to step into the athletes village, it's sad to see them complaining the loudest. If Modano and Parrish want to make things better, then by all means, offer up suggestions to USA Hockey to make them better. The public comments don't help their cause and do hurt their own image.

[nccanes]

Just stop. Please. Or go and see if you can become a Canadian citizen. Good luck making the team.

HOCKEY

Parrish backs Modano gripe

BY ALAN HAHN
STAFF WRITER

February 27, 2006

Jason Blake took an extra day off and Rick DiPietro was too weary from traveling to get into it, so Mark Parrish, the third of the Islanders' three U.S. Olympians, agreed to address the controversy now surrounding USA Hockey and the criticism it received from star center Mike Modano.

Parrish didn't dispute Modano's claim that USA Hockey needed "new blood" after a disappointing performance at the Turin Olympics and the frustration of trying to get there. Team USA players had to find their own way to the Games and their families were given little to no assistance in arranging hotels.

The strongest of the complaints involved how the players, who stayed in the Olympic village, had no designated place to meet with their family members after games. Team Canada, for instance, rented a restaurant for the two weeks for players and family to get together. The Americans were left with meeting family at a gas station across the street from the arena.

After Team USA was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Modano blasted USA Hockey officials for poor organization, which was in contrast to the experience the players had in Salt Lake City in 2002.

"When a guy like Mike Modano, who is a stand-up guy that has done so much for USA Hockey, has that point of view, I would listen," Parrish said yesterday after he participated in the Islanders' practice at Iceworks. "He isn't a man that says much and he certainly isn't known as a complainer."

Parrish, 29, has his own reasons to complain; despite Team USA's struggle for offense he was rarely used and did not get a single shift in the 4-3 quarterfinal loss to Finland last Wednesday. But Parrish would not criticize Team USA coach Peter Laviolette, who coached him with the Islanders from 2001-03.

"The competitiveness in me was definitely burning up and I wanted to be out there," said Parrish, who has 21 goals this season with the Islanders. "But there are so many great players sitting on the bench that I certainly didn't envy Peter's job in having to choose which goal-scorers to go with."

Parrish will be 33 by the time of the 2010 Games in Vancouver and knows this might have been his only Olympic experience. "I had an amazing time with the guys on the team," he said. "They made it one of the most memorable moments of my life."




The whole "the Canadians did this" has nothing to do with hockey, because their approach didn't work either. Guess the "European Vacation" portion of the Olympics wasn't 5 star. And for that, we're truly sorry. :sick:

Edit: wanted to say that I'm sure the athletes want their families to be as comfortable as possible during the games, but I also think ALL of the athletes would enjoy that. And since these guys are the richest of the athletes to step into the athletes village, it's sad to see them complaining the loudest. If Modano and Parrish want to make things better, then by all means, offer up suggestions to USA Hockey to make them better. The public comments don't help their cause and do hurt their own image.

[nccanes]

Just stop. Please. Or go and see if you can become a Canadian citizen. Good luck making the team.

HOCKEY

Parrish backs Modano gripe

BY ALAN HAHN
STAFF WRITER

February 27, 2006

Jason Blake took an extra day off and Rick DiPietro was too weary from traveling to get into it, so Mark Parrish, the third of the Islanders' three U.S. Olympians, agreed to address the controversy now surrounding USA Hockey and the criticism it received from star center Mike Modano.

Parrish didn't dispute Modano's claim that USA Hockey needed "new blood" after a disappointing performance at the Turin Olympics and the frustration of trying to get there. Team USA players had to find their own way to the Games and their families were given little to no assistance in arranging hotels.

The strongest of the complaints involved how the players, who stayed in the Olympic village, had no designated place to meet with their family members after games. Team Canada, for instance, rented a restaurant for the two weeks for players and family to get together. The Americans were left with meeting family at a gas station across the street from the arena.

After Team USA was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Modano blasted USA Hockey officials for poor organization, which was in contrast to the experience the players had in Salt Lake City in 2002.

"When a guy like Mike Modano, who is a stand-up guy that has done so much for USA Hockey, has that point of view, I would listen," Parrish said yesterday after he participated in the Islanders' practice at Iceworks. "He isn't a man that says much and he certainly isn't known as a complainer."

Parrish, 29, has his own reasons to complain; despite Team USA's struggle for offense he was rarely used and did not get a single shift in the 4-3 quarterfinal loss to Finland last Wednesday. But Parrish would not criticize Team USA coach Peter Laviolette, who coached him with the Islanders from 2001-03.

"The competitiveness in me was definitely burning up and I wanted to be out there," said Parrish, who has 21 goals this season with the Islanders. "But there are so many great players sitting on the bench that I certainly didn't envy Peter's job in having to choose which goal-scorers to go with."

Parrish will be 33 by the time of the 2010 Games in Vancouver and knows this might have been his only Olympic experience. "I had an amazing time with the guys on the team," he said. "They made it one of the most memorable moments of my life."




The whole "the Canadians did this" has nothing to do with hockey, because their approach didn't work either. Guess the "European Vacation" portion of the Olympics wasn't 5 star. And for that, we're truly sorry. :sick:

Edit: wanted to say that I'm sure the athletes want their families to be as comfortable as possible during the games, but I also think ALL of the athletes would enjoy that. And since these guys are the richest of the athletes to step into the athletes village, it's sad to see them complaining the loudest. If Modano and Parrish want to make things better, then by all means, offer up suggestions to USA Hockey to make them better. The public comments don't help their cause and do hurt their own image.

[nccanes]

Just stop. Please. Or go and see if you can become a Canadian citizen. Good luck making the team.

HOCKEY

Parrish backs Modano gripe

BY ALAN HAHN
STAFF WRITER

February 27, 2006

Jason Blake took an extra day off and Rick DiPietro was too weary from traveling to get into it, so Mark Parrish, the third of the Islanders' three U.S. Olympians, agreed to address the controversy now surrounding USA Hockey and the criticism it received from star center Mike Modano.

Parrish didn't dispute Modano's claim that USA Hockey needed "new blood" after a disappointing performance at the Turin Olympics and the frustration of trying to get there. Team USA players had to find their own way to the Games and their families were given little to no assistance in arranging hotels.

The strongest of the complaints involved how the players, who stayed in the Olympic village, had no designated place to meet with their family members after games. Team Canada, for instance, rented a restaurant for the two weeks for players and family to get together. The Americans were left with meeting family at a gas station across the street from the arena.

After Team USA was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Modano blasted USA Hockey officials for poor organization, which was in contrast to the experience the players had in Salt Lake City in 2002.

"When a guy like Mike Modano, who is a stand-up guy that has done so much for USA Hockey, has that point of view, I would listen," Parrish said yesterday after he participated in the Islanders' practice at Iceworks. "He isn't a man that says much and he certainly isn't known as a complainer."

Parrish, 29, has his own reasons to complain; despite Team USA's struggle for offense he was rarely used and did not get a single shift in the 4-3 quarterfinal loss to Finland last Wednesday. But Parrish would not criticize Team USA coach Peter Laviolette, who coached him with the Islanders from 2001-03.

"The competitiveness in me was definitely burning up and I wanted to be out there," said Parrish, who has 21 goals this season with the Islanders. "But there are so many great players sitting on the bench that I certainly didn't envy Peter's job in having to choose which goal-scorers to go with."

Parrish will be 33 by the time of the 2010 Games in Vancouver and knows this might have been his only Olympic experience. "I had an amazing time with the guys on the team," he said. "They made it one of the most memorable moments of my life."




The whole "the Canadians did this" has nothing to do with hockey, because their approach didn't work either. Guess the "European Vacation" portion of the Olympics wasn't 5 star. And for that, we're truly sorry. :sick:

Edit: wanted to say that I'm sure the athletes want their families to be as comfortable as possible during the games, but I also think ALL of the athletes would enjoy that. And since these guys are the richest of the athletes to step into the athletes village, it's sad to see them complaining the loudest. If Modano and Parrish want to make things better, then by all means, offer up suggestions to USA Hockey to make them better. The public comments don't help their cause and do hurt their own image.

[nccanes]

Just stop. Please. Or go and see if you can become a Canadian citizen. Good luck making the team.

HOCKEY

Parrish backs Modano gripe

BY ALAN HAHN
STAFF WRITER

February 27, 2006

Jason Blake took an extra day off and Rick DiPietro was too weary from traveling to get into it, so Mark Parrish, the third of the Islanders' three U.S. Olympians, agreed to address the controversy now surrounding USA Hockey and the criticism it received from star center Mike Modano.

Parrish didn't dispute Modano's claim that USA Hockey needed "new blood" after a disappointing performance at the Turin Olympics and the frustration of trying to get there. Team USA players had to find their own way to the Games and their families were given little to no assistance in arranging hotels.

The strongest of the complaints involved how the players, who stayed in the Olympic village, had no designated place to meet with their family members after games. Team Canada, for instance, rented a restaurant for the two weeks for players and family to get together. The Americans were left with meeting family at a gas station across the street from the arena.

After Team USA was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Modano blasted USA Hockey officials for poor organization, which was in contrast to the experience the players had in Salt Lake City in 2002.

"When a guy like Mike Modano, who is a stand-up guy that has done so much for USA Hockey, has that point of view, I would listen," Parrish said yesterday after he participated in the Islanders' practice at Iceworks. "He isn't a man that says much and he certainly isn't known as a complainer."

Parrish, 29, has his own reasons to complain; despite Team USA's struggle for offense he was rarely used and did not get a single shift in the 4-3 quarterfinal loss to Finland last Wednesday. But Parrish would not criticize Team USA coach Peter Laviolette, who coached him with the Islanders from 2001-03.

"The competitiveness in me was definitely burning up and I wanted to be out there," said Parrish, who has 21 goals this season with the Islanders. "But there are so many great players sitting on the bench that I certainly didn't envy Peter's job in having to choose which goal-scorers to go with."

Parrish will be 33 by the time of the 2010 Games in Vancouver and knows this might have been his only Olympic experience. "I had an amazing time with the guys on the team," he said. "They made it one of the most memorable moments of my life."




The whole "the Canadians did this" has nothing to do with hockey, because their approach didn't work either. Guess the "European Vacation" portion of the Olympics wasn't 5 star. And for that, we're truly sorry. :sick:

Edit: wanted to say that I'm sure the athletes want their families to be as comfortable as possible during the games, but I also think ALL of the athletes would enjoy that. And since these guys are the richest of the athletes to step into the athletes village, it's sad to see them complaining the loudest. If Modano and Parrish want to make things better, then by all means, offer up suggestions to USA Hockey to make them better. The public comments don't help their cause and do hurt their own image.

[nccanes]

Just stop. Please. Or go and see if you can become a Canadian citizen. Good luck making the team.

HOCKEY

Parrish backs Modano gripe

BY ALAN HAHN
STAFF WRITER

February 27, 2006

Jason Blake took an extra day off and Rick DiPietro was too weary from traveling to get into it, so Mark Parrish, the third of the Islanders' three U.S. Olympians, agreed to address the controversy now surrounding USA Hockey and the criticism it received from star center Mike Modano.

Parrish didn't dispute Modano's claim that USA Hockey needed "new blood" after a disappointing performance at the Turin Olympics and the frustration of trying to get there. Team USA players had to find their own way to the Games and their families were given little to no assistance in arranging hotels.

The strongest of the complaints involved how the players, who stayed in the Olympic village, had no designated place to meet with their family members after games. Team Canada, for instance, rented a restaurant for the two weeks for players and family to get together. The Americans were left with meeting family at a gas station across the street from the arena.

After Team USA was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Modano blasted USA Hockey officials for poor organization, which was in contrast to the experience the players had in Salt Lake City in 2002.

"When a guy like Mike Modano, who is a stand-up guy that has done so much for USA Hockey, has that point of view, I would listen," Parrish said yesterday after he participated in the Islanders' practice at Iceworks. "He isn't a man that says much and he certainly isn't known as a complainer."

Parrish, 29, has his own reasons to complain; despite Team USA's struggle for offense he was rarely used and did not get a single shift in the 4-3 quarterfinal loss to Finland last Wednesday. But Parrish would not criticize Team USA coach Peter Laviolette, who coached him with the Islanders from 2001-03.

"The competitiveness in me was definitely burning up and I wanted to be out there," said Parrish, who has 21 goals this season with the Islanders. "But there are so many great players sitting on the bench that I certainly didn't envy Peter's job in having to choose which goal-scorers to go with."

Parrish will be 33 by the time of the 2010 Games in Vancouver and knows this might have been his only Olympic experience. "I had an amazing time with the guys on the team," he said. "They made it one of the most memorable moments of my life."




The whole "the Canadians did this" has nothing to do with hockey, because their approach didn't work either. Guess the "European Vacation" portion of the Olympics wasn't 5 star. And for that, we're truly sorry. :sick:

Edit: wanted to say that I'm sure the athletes want their families to be as comfortable as possible during the games, but I also think ALL of the athletes would enjoy that. And since these guys are the richest of the athletes to step into the athletes village, it's sad to see them complaining the loudest. If Modano and Parrish want to make things better, then by all means, offer up suggestions to USA Hockey to make them better. The public comments don't help their cause and do hurt their own image.

[nccanes]

Just stop. Please. Or go and see if you can become a Canadian citizen. Good luck making the team.

HOCKEY

Parrish backs Modano gripe

BY ALAN HAHN
STAFF WRITER

February 27, 2006

Jason Blake took an extra day off and Rick DiPietro was too weary from traveling to get into it, so Mark Parrish, the third of the Islanders' three U.S. Olympians, agreed to address the controversy now surrounding USA Hockey and the criticism it received from star center Mike Modano.

Parrish didn't dispute Modano's claim that USA Hockey needed "new blood" after a disappointing performance at the Turin Olympics and the frustration of trying to get there. Team USA players had to find their own way to the Games and their families were given little to no assistance in arranging hotels.

The strongest of the complaints involved how the players, who stayed in the Olympic village, had no designated place to meet with their family members after games. Team Canada, for instance, rented a restaurant for the two weeks for players and family to get together. The Americans were left with meeting family at a gas station across the street from the arena.

After Team USA was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Modano blasted USA Hockey officials for poor organization, which was in contrast to the experience the players had in Salt Lake City in 2002.

"When a guy like Mike Modano, who is a stand-up guy that has done so much for USA Hockey, has that point of view, I would listen," Parrish said yesterday after he participated in the Islanders' practice at Iceworks. "He isn't a man that says much and he certainly isn't known as a complainer."

Parrish, 29, has his own reasons to complain; despite Team USA's struggle for offense he was rarely used and did not get a single shift in the 4-3 quarterfinal loss to Finland last Wednesday. But Parrish would not criticize Team USA coach Peter Laviolette, who coached him with the Islanders from 2001-03.

"The competitiveness in me was definitely burning up and I wanted to be out there," said Parrish, who has 21 goals this season with the Islanders. "But there are so many great players sitting on the bench that I certainly didn't envy Peter's job in having to choose which goal-scorers to go with."

Parrish will be 33 by the time of the 2010 Games in Vancouver and knows this might have been his only Olympic experience. "I had an amazing time with the guys on the team," he said. "They made it one of the most memorable moments of my life."




The whole "the Canadians did this" has nothing to do with hockey, because their approach didn't work either. Guess the "European Vacation" portion of the Olympics wasn't 5 star. And for that, we're truly sorry. :sick:

Edit: wanted to say that I'm sure the athletes want their families to be as comfortable as possible during the games, but I also think ALL of the athletes would enjoy that. And since these guys are the richest of the athletes to step into the athletes village, it's sad to see them complaining the loudest. If Modano and Parrish want to make things better, then by all means, offer up suggestions to USA Hockey to make them better. The public comments don't help their cause and do hurt their own image.

[SoCalcaniac]

I just read Netterau's lovely post about the glee and joy in Sweden today as they greeted their national heroes in both Sweden and Finland and I just can't BELIEVE this.

I mean really. My friggin head hurts from this. Am I not correct in that USA Hockey is primarily a 'volunteer run' org? I know Hockey Canada is quite an organization, it is the premeire organEyezaiton in sports especially in Canada. I mean it's the national pastime. So where would they propose this money to rent out a restaurant or facility to come from? Parrish? Modano? Modano's well heeled dog? Somebody please explain to me how this crap should matter one lick??? Are we not a nation of free thinkers? was there not one person on this team who could have taken this upon himself (if were really that big a damn deal) and rent out a place? I just don't see how the hell that matters.

Oh for craps sake, I was not gonna get involved in this life draining nonsense, and son of gun, here it goes. Perhaps I should have asked Erik Cole, Matt Cullen and Doug Weight what they thought when I saw them at practice- they didn't look so world weary as apparently the Islanders couldn't prop themselves up to answer questions.
OMG. Whiny Team USA. Nice.

[SoCalcaniac]

I just read Netterau's lovely post about the glee and joy in Sweden today as they greeted their national heroes in both Sweden and Finland and I just can't BELIEVE this.

I mean really. My friggin head hurts from this. Am I not correct in that USA Hockey is primarily a 'volunteer run' org? I know Hockey Canada is quite an organization, it is the premeire organEyezaiton in sports especially in Canada. I mean it's the national pastime. So where would they propose this money to rent out a restaurant or facility to come from? Parrish? Modano? Modano's well heeled dog? Somebody please explain to me how this crap should matter one lick??? Are we not a nation of free thinkers? was there not one person on this team who could have taken this upon himself (if were really that big a damn deal) and rent out a place? I just don't see how the hell that matters.

Oh for craps sake, I was not gonna get involved in this life draining nonsense, and son of gun, here it goes. Perhaps I should have asked Erik Cole, Matt Cullen and Doug Weight what they thought when I saw them at practice- they didn't look so world weary as apparently the Islanders couldn't prop themselves up to answer questions.
OMG. Whiny Team USA. Nice.

[SoCalcaniac]

I just read Netterau's lovely post about the glee and joy in Sweden today as they greeted their national heroes in both Sweden and Finland and I just can't BELIEVE this.

I mean really. My friggin head hurts from this. Am I not correct in that USA Hockey is primarily a 'volunteer run' org? I know Hockey Canada is quite an organization, it is the premeire organEyezaiton in sports especially in Canada. I mean it's the national pastime. So where would they propose this money to rent out a restaurant or facility to come from? Parrish? Modano? Modano's well heeled dog? Somebody please explain to me how this crap should matter one lick??? Are we not a nation of free thinkers? was there not one person on this team who could have taken this upon himself (if were really that big a damn deal) and rent out a place? I just don't see how the hell that matters.

Oh for craps sake, I was not gonna get involved in this life draining nonsense, and son of gun, here it goes. Perhaps I should have asked Erik Cole, Matt Cullen and Doug Weight what they thought when I saw them at practice- they didn't look so world weary as apparently the Islanders couldn't prop themselves up to answer questions.
OMG. Whiny Team USA. Nice.

[SoCalcaniac]

I just read Netterau's lovely post about the glee and joy in Sweden today as they greeted their national heroes in both Sweden and Finland and I just can't BELIEVE this.

I mean really. My friggin head hurts from this. Am I not correct in that USA Hockey is primarily a 'volunteer run' org? I know Hockey Canada is quite an organization, it is the premeire organEyezaiton in sports especially in Canada. I mean it's the national pastime. So where would they propose this money to rent out a restaurant or facility to come from? Parrish? Modano? Modano's well heeled dog? Somebody please explain to me how this crap should matter one lick??? Are we not a nation of free thinkers? was there not one person on this team who could have taken this upon himself (if were really that big a damn deal) and rent out a place? I just don't see how the hell that matters.

Oh for craps sake, I was not gonna get involved in this life draining nonsense, and son of gun, here it goes. Perhaps I should have asked Erik Cole, Matt Cullen and Doug Weight what they thought when I saw them at practice- they didn't look so world weary as apparently the Islanders couldn't prop themselves up to answer questions.
OMG. Whiny Team USA. Nice.

[SoCalcaniac]

I just read Netterau's lovely post about the glee and joy in Sweden today as they greeted their national heroes in both Sweden and Finland and I just can't BELIEVE this.

I mean really. My friggin head hurts from this. Am I not correct in that USA Hockey is primarily a 'volunteer run' org? I know Hockey Canada is quite an organization, it is the premeire organEyezaiton in sports especially in Canada. I mean it's the national pastime. So where would they propose this money to rent out a restaurant or facility to come from? Parrish? Modano? Modano's well heeled dog? Somebody please explain to me how this crap should matter one lick??? Are we not a nation of free thinkers? was there not one person on this team who could have taken this upon himself (if were really that big a damn deal) and rent out a place? I just don't see how the hell that matters.

Oh for craps sake, I was not gonna get involved in this life draining nonsense, and son of gun, here it goes. Perhaps I should have asked Erik Cole, Matt Cullen and Doug Weight what they thought when I saw them at practice- they didn't look so world weary as apparently the Islanders couldn't prop themselves up to answer questions.
OMG. Whiny Team USA. Nice.

[SoCalcaniac]

I just read Netterau's lovely post about the glee and joy in Sweden today as they greeted their national heroes in both Sweden and Finland and I just can't BELIEVE this.

I mean really. My friggin head hurts from this. Am I not correct in that USA Hockey is primarily a 'volunteer run' org? I know Hockey Canada is quite an organization, it is the premeire organEyezaiton in sports especially in Canada. I mean it's the national pastime. So where would they propose this money to rent out a restaurant or facility to come from? Parrish? Modano? Modano's well heeled dog? Somebody please explain to me how this crap should matter one lick??? Are we not a nation of free thinkers? was there not one person on this team who could have taken this upon himself (if were really that big a damn deal) and rent out a place? I just don't see how the hell that matters.

Oh for craps sake, I was not gonna get involved in this life draining nonsense, and son of gun, here it goes. Perhaps I should have asked Erik Cole, Matt Cullen and Doug Weight what they thought when I saw them at practice- they didn't look so world weary as apparently the Islanders couldn't prop themselves up to answer questions.
OMG. Whiny Team USA. Nice.

[SoCalcaniac]

I just read Netterau's lovely post about the glee and joy in Sweden today as they greeted their national heroes in both Sweden and Finland and I just can't BELIEVE this.

I mean really. My friggin head hurts from this. Am I not correct in that USA Hockey is primarily a 'volunteer run' org? I know Hockey Canada is quite an organization, it is the premeire organEyezaiton in sports especially in Canada. I mean it's the national pastime. So where would they propose this money to rent out a restaurant or facility to come from? Parrish? Modano? Modano's well heeled dog? Somebody please explain to me how this crap should matter one lick??? Are we not a nation of free thinkers? was there not one person on this team who could have taken this upon himself (if were really that big a damn deal) and rent out a place? I just don't see how the hell that matters.

Oh for craps sake, I was not gonna get involved in this life draining nonsense, and son of gun, here it goes. Perhaps I should have asked Erik Cole, Matt Cullen and Doug Weight what they thought when I saw them at practice- they didn't look so world weary as apparently the Islanders couldn't prop themselves up to answer questions.
OMG. Whiny Team USA. Nice.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Good point SoCal, I was thinking the same thing. Where is all this money supposed to come from for chartered flights and reserved rooms and restaurants? USA hockey not only is primarily volunteer driven, but is run on donations, charitable contributions, and dues and fees paid by USA Hockey members. They don't have limitless funds laying around they don't know what to do with. As a parent of a daughter who pays dues and fees to USA Hockey, I can tell you that I don't want to pay even more so that we can pamper our rich, spoiled players who don't have enough common sense how to book a room and flight for their family members.

I was thinking we should stick with the pros playing in the Olympics, but if it's too much trouble for them, then screw em. Put back in the college kids.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Good point SoCal, I was thinking the same thing. Where is all this money supposed to come from for chartered flights and reserved rooms and restaurants? USA hockey not only is primarily volunteer driven, but is run on donations, charitable contributions, and dues and fees paid by USA Hockey members. They don't have limitless funds laying around they don't know what to do with. As a parent of a daughter who pays dues and fees to USA Hockey, I can tell you that I don't want to pay even more so that we can pamper our rich, spoiled players who don't have enough common sense how to book a room and flight for their family members.

I was thinking we should stick with the pros playing in the Olympics, but if it's too much trouble for them, then screw em. Put back in the college kids.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Good point SoCal, I was thinking the same thing. Where is all this money supposed to come from for chartered flights and reserved rooms and restaurants? USA hockey not only is primarily volunteer driven, but is run on donations, charitable contributions, and dues and fees paid by USA Hockey members. They don't have limitless funds laying around they don't know what to do with. As a parent of a daughter who pays dues and fees to USA Hockey, I can tell you that I don't want to pay even more so that we can pamper our rich, spoiled players who don't have enough common sense how to book a room and flight for their family members.

I was thinking we should stick with the pros playing in the Olympics, but if it's too much trouble for them, then screw em. Put back in the college kids.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Good point SoCal, I was thinking the same thing. Where is all this money supposed to come from for chartered flights and reserved rooms and restaurants? USA hockey not only is primarily volunteer driven, but is run on donations, charitable contributions, and dues and fees paid by USA Hockey members. They don't have limitless funds laying around they don't know what to do with. As a parent of a daughter who pays dues and fees to USA Hockey, I can tell you that I don't want to pay even more so that we can pamper our rich, spoiled players who don't have enough common sense how to book a room and flight for their family members.

I was thinking we should stick with the pros playing in the Olympics, but if it's too much trouble for them, then screw em. Put back in the college kids.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Good point SoCal, I was thinking the same thing. Where is all this money supposed to come from for chartered flights and reserved rooms and restaurants? USA hockey not only is primarily volunteer driven, but is run on donations, charitable contributions, and dues and fees paid by USA Hockey members. They don't have limitless funds laying around they don't know what to do with. As a parent of a daughter who pays dues and fees to USA Hockey, I can tell you that I don't want to pay even more so that we can pamper our rich, spoiled players who don't have enough common sense how to book a room and flight for their family members.

I was thinking we should stick with the pros playing in the Olympics, but if it's too much trouble for them, then screw em. Put back in the college kids.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Good point SoCal, I was thinking the same thing. Where is all this money supposed to come from for chartered flights and reserved rooms and restaurants? USA hockey not only is primarily volunteer driven, but is run on donations, charitable contributions, and dues and fees paid by USA Hockey members. They don't have limitless funds laying around they don't know what to do with. As a parent of a daughter who pays dues and fees to USA Hockey, I can tell you that I don't want to pay even more so that we can pamper our rich, spoiled players who don't have enough common sense how to book a room and flight for their family members.

I was thinking we should stick with the pros playing in the Olympics, but if it's too much trouble for them, then screw em. Put back in the college kids.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Good point SoCal, I was thinking the same thing. Where is all this money supposed to come from for chartered flights and reserved rooms and restaurants? USA hockey not only is primarily volunteer driven, but is run on donations, charitable contributions, and dues and fees paid by USA Hockey members. They don't have limitless funds laying around they don't know what to do with. As a parent of a daughter who pays dues and fees to USA Hockey, I can tell you that I don't want to pay even more so that we can pamper our rich, spoiled players who don't have enough common sense how to book a room and flight for their family members.

I was thinking we should stick with the pros playing in the Olympics, but if it's too much trouble for them, then screw em. Put back in the college kids.

[Canesluver]

They're just sour 'cause they didn't win. They're just trying to find something to blame. It'll eventually all blow over.

[Canesluver]

They're just sour 'cause they didn't win. They're just trying to find something to blame. It'll eventually all blow over.

[Canesluver]

They're just sour 'cause they didn't win. They're just trying to find something to blame. It'll eventually all blow over.

[Canesluver]

They're just sour 'cause they didn't win. They're just trying to find something to blame. It'll eventually all blow over.

[Canesluver]

They're just sour 'cause they didn't win. They're just trying to find something to blame. It'll eventually all blow over.

[Canesluver]

They're just sour 'cause they didn't win. They're just trying to find something to blame. It'll eventually all blow over.

[Canesluver]

They're just sour 'cause they didn't win. They're just trying to find something to blame. It'll eventually all blow over.

[SoCalcaniac]

Guess I'm still waitin' for this to blow over..... Guerin chimes in...

Guerin supports Modano's criticism

Associated Press

2/28/2006 8:23:30 PM

FRISCO, Texas (AP) - Mike Modano, maligned for blasting USA Hockey after a disappointing finish at the Turin Games, has at least one supporter in Olympic and Dallas Stars teammate Bill Guerin.

Modano was widely criticized for speaking out after the U.S. lost to Finland and finished 1-4-1 in the Olympics. He said USA Hockey failed to take care of travel and accreditation needs of players' families, suggesting that the administration could use some ''new blood.''

''He stuck his neck out there and said something uncomfortable for him to say and definitely uncomfortable for people to hear,'' Guerin said Tuesday. ''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

''Now that I'm out there (with comments), everybody is letting me do the talking. If you ask them, maybe they might agree. I don't think any of them would disagree. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have said anything.'' (if that's 'caring' I say no thanks- why doesn't he just shut up?)

Modano understands he is being labelled a pampered athlete rather than the quiet leader whose fortitude carried him through the 1999 Stanley Cup finals with a broken wrist.

''If I didn't care and USA Hockey didn't mean a lot to me, I would have just skated off and they never would have heard from me again,'' he said. ''I haven't turned my back on USA Hockey. I want it to be better, to be a better experience for people. If it does help, that's great. If not, that's their problem then.''

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''
Modano, who scored two goals for Team USA, was also upset at being benched in the third period against Finland, which lost to Sweden in the gold-medal game.

Among the top American-born players, Modano helped the U.S. reach the gold-medal game before losing to Canada in the Salt Lake City Games four years ago. He thought this year's team could go at least that far.

''We thought we had a great team,'' said Modano, who at 35 is unlikely to return for a fourth Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. ''We had a great bunch of guys. We've all had success together.''

[SoCalcaniac]

Guess I'm still waitin' for this to blow over..... Guerin chimes in...

Guerin supports Modano's criticism

Associated Press

2/28/2006 8:23:30 PM

FRISCO, Texas (AP) - Mike Modano, maligned for blasting USA Hockey after a disappointing finish at the Turin Games, has at least one supporter in Olympic and Dallas Stars teammate Bill Guerin.

Modano was widely criticized for speaking out after the U.S. lost to Finland and finished 1-4-1 in the Olympics. He said USA Hockey failed to take care of travel and accreditation needs of players' families, suggesting that the administration could use some ''new blood.''

''He stuck his neck out there and said something uncomfortable for him to say and definitely uncomfortable for people to hear,'' Guerin said Tuesday. ''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

''Now that I'm out there (with comments), everybody is letting me do the talking. If you ask them, maybe they might agree. I don't think any of them would disagree. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have said anything.'' (if that's 'caring' I say no thanks- why doesn't he just shut up?)

Modano understands he is being labelled a pampered athlete rather than the quiet leader whose fortitude carried him through the 1999 Stanley Cup finals with a broken wrist.

''If I didn't care and USA Hockey didn't mean a lot to me, I would have just skated off and they never would have heard from me again,'' he said. ''I haven't turned my back on USA Hockey. I want it to be better, to be a better experience for people. If it does help, that's great. If not, that's their problem then.''

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''
Modano, who scored two goals for Team USA, was also upset at being benched in the third period against Finland, which lost to Sweden in the gold-medal game.

Among the top American-born players, Modano helped the U.S. reach the gold-medal game before losing to Canada in the Salt Lake City Games four years ago. He thought this year's team could go at least that far.

''We thought we had a great team,'' said Modano, who at 35 is unlikely to return for a fourth Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. ''We had a great bunch of guys. We've all had success together.''

[SoCalcaniac]

Guess I'm still waitin' for this to blow over..... Guerin chimes in...

Guerin supports Modano's criticism

Associated Press

2/28/2006 8:23:30 PM

FRISCO, Texas (AP) - Mike Modano, maligned for blasting USA Hockey after a disappointing finish at the Turin Games, has at least one supporter in Olympic and Dallas Stars teammate Bill Guerin.

Modano was widely criticized for speaking out after the U.S. lost to Finland and finished 1-4-1 in the Olympics. He said USA Hockey failed to take care of travel and accreditation needs of players' families, suggesting that the administration could use some ''new blood.''

''He stuck his neck out there and said something uncomfortable for him to say and definitely uncomfortable for people to hear,'' Guerin said Tuesday. ''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

''Now that I'm out there (with comments), everybody is letting me do the talking. If you ask them, maybe they might agree. I don't think any of them would disagree. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have said anything.'' (if that's 'caring' I say no thanks- why doesn't he just shut up?)

Modano understands he is being labelled a pampered athlete rather than the quiet leader whose fortitude carried him through the 1999 Stanley Cup finals with a broken wrist.

''If I didn't care and USA Hockey didn't mean a lot to me, I would have just skated off and they never would have heard from me again,'' he said. ''I haven't turned my back on USA Hockey. I want it to be better, to be a better experience for people. If it does help, that's great. If not, that's their problem then.''

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''
Modano, who scored two goals for Team USA, was also upset at being benched in the third period against Finland, which lost to Sweden in the gold-medal game.

Among the top American-born players, Modano helped the U.S. reach the gold-medal game before losing to Canada in the Salt Lake City Games four years ago. He thought this year's team could go at least that far.

''We thought we had a great team,'' said Modano, who at 35 is unlikely to return for a fourth Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. ''We had a great bunch of guys. We've all had success together.''

[SoCalcaniac]

Guess I'm still waitin' for this to blow over..... Guerin chimes in...

Guerin supports Modano's criticism

Associated Press

2/28/2006 8:23:30 PM

FRISCO, Texas (AP) - Mike Modano, maligned for blasting USA Hockey after a disappointing finish at the Turin Games, has at least one supporter in Olympic and Dallas Stars teammate Bill Guerin.

Modano was widely criticized for speaking out after the U.S. lost to Finland and finished 1-4-1 in the Olympics. He said USA Hockey failed to take care of travel and accreditation needs of players' families, suggesting that the administration could use some ''new blood.''

''He stuck his neck out there and said something uncomfortable for him to say and definitely uncomfortable for people to hear,'' Guerin said Tuesday. ''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

''Now that I'm out there (with comments), everybody is letting me do the talking. If you ask them, maybe they might agree. I don't think any of them would disagree. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have said anything.'' (if that's 'caring' I say no thanks- why doesn't he just shut up?)

Modano understands he is being labelled a pampered athlete rather than the quiet leader whose fortitude carried him through the 1999 Stanley Cup finals with a broken wrist.

''If I didn't care and USA Hockey didn't mean a lot to me, I would have just skated off and they never would have heard from me again,'' he said. ''I haven't turned my back on USA Hockey. I want it to be better, to be a better experience for people. If it does help, that's great. If not, that's their problem then.''

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''
Modano, who scored two goals for Team USA, was also upset at being benched in the third period against Finland, which lost to Sweden in the gold-medal game.

Among the top American-born players, Modano helped the U.S. reach the gold-medal game before losing to Canada in the Salt Lake City Games four years ago. He thought this year's team could go at least that far.

''We thought we had a great team,'' said Modano, who at 35 is unlikely to return for a fourth Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. ''We had a great bunch of guys. We've all had success together.''

[SoCalcaniac]

Guess I'm still waitin' for this to blow over..... Guerin chimes in...

Guerin supports Modano's criticism

Associated Press

2/28/2006 8:23:30 PM

FRISCO, Texas (AP) - Mike Modano, maligned for blasting USA Hockey after a disappointing finish at the Turin Games, has at least one supporter in Olympic and Dallas Stars teammate Bill Guerin.

Modano was widely criticized for speaking out after the U.S. lost to Finland and finished 1-4-1 in the Olympics. He said USA Hockey failed to take care of travel and accreditation needs of players' families, suggesting that the administration could use some ''new blood.''

''He stuck his neck out there and said something uncomfortable for him to say and definitely uncomfortable for people to hear,'' Guerin said Tuesday. ''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

''Now that I'm out there (with comments), everybody is letting me do the talking. If you ask them, maybe they might agree. I don't think any of them would disagree. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have said anything.'' (if that's 'caring' I say no thanks- why doesn't he just shut up?)

Modano understands he is being labelled a pampered athlete rather than the quiet leader whose fortitude carried him through the 1999 Stanley Cup finals with a broken wrist.

''If I didn't care and USA Hockey didn't mean a lot to me, I would have just skated off and they never would have heard from me again,'' he said. ''I haven't turned my back on USA Hockey. I want it to be better, to be a better experience for people. If it does help, that's great. If not, that's their problem then.''

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''
Modano, who scored two goals for Team USA, was also upset at being benched in the third period against Finland, which lost to Sweden in the gold-medal game.

Among the top American-born players, Modano helped the U.S. reach the gold-medal game before losing to Canada in the Salt Lake City Games four years ago. He thought this year's team could go at least that far.

''We thought we had a great team,'' said Modano, who at 35 is unlikely to return for a fourth Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. ''We had a great bunch of guys. We've all had success together.''

[SoCalcaniac]

Guess I'm still waitin' for this to blow over..... Guerin chimes in...

Guerin supports Modano's criticism

Associated Press

2/28/2006 8:23:30 PM

FRISCO, Texas (AP) - Mike Modano, maligned for blasting USA Hockey after a disappointing finish at the Turin Games, has at least one supporter in Olympic and Dallas Stars teammate Bill Guerin.

Modano was widely criticized for speaking out after the U.S. lost to Finland and finished 1-4-1 in the Olympics. He said USA Hockey failed to take care of travel and accreditation needs of players' families, suggesting that the administration could use some ''new blood.''

''He stuck his neck out there and said something uncomfortable for him to say and definitely uncomfortable for people to hear,'' Guerin said Tuesday. ''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

''Now that I'm out there (with comments), everybody is letting me do the talking. If you ask them, maybe they might agree. I don't think any of them would disagree. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have said anything.'' (if that's 'caring' I say no thanks- why doesn't he just shut up?)

Modano understands he is being labelled a pampered athlete rather than the quiet leader whose fortitude carried him through the 1999 Stanley Cup finals with a broken wrist.

''If I didn't care and USA Hockey didn't mean a lot to me, I would have just skated off and they never would have heard from me again,'' he said. ''I haven't turned my back on USA Hockey. I want it to be better, to be a better experience for people. If it does help, that's great. If not, that's their problem then.''

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''
Modano, who scored two goals for Team USA, was also upset at being benched in the third period against Finland, which lost to Sweden in the gold-medal game.

Among the top American-born players, Modano helped the U.S. reach the gold-medal game before losing to Canada in the Salt Lake City Games four years ago. He thought this year's team could go at least that far.

''We thought we had a great team,'' said Modano, who at 35 is unlikely to return for a fourth Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. ''We had a great bunch of guys. We've all had success together.''

[SoCalcaniac]

Guess I'm still waitin' for this to blow over..... Guerin chimes in...

Guerin supports Modano's criticism

Associated Press

2/28/2006 8:23:30 PM

FRISCO, Texas (AP) - Mike Modano, maligned for blasting USA Hockey after a disappointing finish at the Turin Games, has at least one supporter in Olympic and Dallas Stars teammate Bill Guerin.

Modano was widely criticized for speaking out after the U.S. lost to Finland and finished 1-4-1 in the Olympics. He said USA Hockey failed to take care of travel and accreditation needs of players' families, suggesting that the administration could use some ''new blood.''

''He stuck his neck out there and said something uncomfortable for him to say and definitely uncomfortable for people to hear,'' Guerin said Tuesday. ''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

''Now that I'm out there (with comments), everybody is letting me do the talking. If you ask them, maybe they might agree. I don't think any of them would disagree. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have said anything.'' (if that's 'caring' I say no thanks- why doesn't he just shut up?)

Modano understands he is being labelled a pampered athlete rather than the quiet leader whose fortitude carried him through the 1999 Stanley Cup finals with a broken wrist.

''If I didn't care and USA Hockey didn't mean a lot to me, I would have just skated off and they never would have heard from me again,'' he said. ''I haven't turned my back on USA Hockey. I want it to be better, to be a better experience for people. If it does help, that's great. If not, that's their problem then.''

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''
Modano, who scored two goals for Team USA, was also upset at being benched in the third period against Finland, which lost to Sweden in the gold-medal game.

Among the top American-born players, Modano helped the U.S. reach the gold-medal game before losing to Canada in the Salt Lake City Games four years ago. He thought this year's team could go at least that far.

''We thought we had a great team,'' said Modano, who at 35 is unlikely to return for a fourth Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. ''We had a great bunch of guys. We've all had success together.''

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Oh, for the love of god, would they all just SHUT the hell UP!!! Just stop talking! Let it die and it will! Everytime they open their mouths they prolong it.

I'm afraid if all this crap continues we'll eventually have a Hurricane weigh in. :roll:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Oh, for the love of god, would they all just SHUT the hell UP!!! Just stop talking! Let it die and it will! Everytime they open their mouths they prolong it.

I'm afraid if all this crap continues we'll eventually have a Hurricane weigh in. :roll:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Oh, for the love of god, would they all just SHUT the hell UP!!! Just stop talking! Let it die and it will! Everytime they open their mouths they prolong it.

I'm afraid if all this crap continues we'll eventually have a Hurricane weigh in. :roll:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Oh, for the love of god, would they all just SHUT the hell UP!!! Just stop talking! Let it die and it will! Everytime they open their mouths they prolong it.

I'm afraid if all this crap continues we'll eventually have a Hurricane weigh in. :roll:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Oh, for the love of god, would they all just SHUT the hell UP!!! Just stop talking! Let it die and it will! Everytime they open their mouths they prolong it.

I'm afraid if all this crap continues we'll eventually have a Hurricane weigh in. :roll:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Oh, for the love of god, would they all just SHUT the hell UP!!! Just stop talking! Let it die and it will! Everytime they open their mouths they prolong it.

I'm afraid if all this crap continues we'll eventually have a Hurricane weigh in. :roll:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Oh, for the love of god, would they all just SHUT the hell UP!!! Just stop talking! Let it die and it will! Everytime they open their mouths they prolong it.

I'm afraid if all this crap continues we'll eventually have a Hurricane weigh in. :roll:

[nccanes]

''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

<snip>

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''



Modano would have been better off had he just left it as emotional post game comments.

They are talking out of both sides of their mouths. If this isn't "an excuse" as Guerin says, then why are they bringing it up in a public forum. Are American supposed to rally behind the cause and call USA Hockey and demand our millionaires be treated better next time?

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' - sounds like they had a little chip on their shoulders, huh?

"''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience

I guess USA hockey was supposed to remove every possible concern or issue for their families (who weren't the athletes remember), but the families (or at least some) had no problem dumping their issues in the laps of the players instead of just figuring it out for themselves to help their guys focus.

What a strange sideshow.

I guess he and others can't make up their mind. If it was the wrong time, then it was the wrong time. Stick to that. Fix things via appropriate channels. And guys - it ain't the public. No one cares that your entourages didn't get pampered. If people in the Amazing Race can convince non-English speaking locals to help them get from point A to point B for free, millionaires can hire someone to handle all their needs. Get over yourselves. :lol:

[nccanes]

''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

<snip>

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''



Modano would have been better off had he just left it as emotional post game comments.

They are talking out of both sides of their mouths. If this isn't "an excuse" as Guerin says, then why are they bringing it up in a public forum. Are American supposed to rally behind the cause and call USA Hockey and demand our millionaires be treated better next time?

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' - sounds like they had a little chip on their shoulders, huh?

"''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience

I guess USA hockey was supposed to remove every possible concern or issue for their families (who weren't the athletes remember), but the families (or at least some) had no problem dumping their issues in the laps of the players instead of just figuring it out for themselves to help their guys focus.

What a strange sideshow.

I guess he and others can't make up their mind. If it was the wrong time, then it was the wrong time. Stick to that. Fix things via appropriate channels. And guys - it ain't the public. No one cares that your entourages didn't get pampered. If people in the Amazing Race can convince non-English speaking locals to help them get from point A to point B for free, millionaires can hire someone to handle all their needs. Get over yourselves. :lol:

[nccanes]

''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

<snip>

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''



Modano would have been better off had he just left it as emotional post game comments.

They are talking out of both sides of their mouths. If this isn't "an excuse" as Guerin says, then why are they bringing it up in a public forum. Are American supposed to rally behind the cause and call USA Hockey and demand our millionaires be treated better next time?

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' - sounds like they had a little chip on their shoulders, huh?

"''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience

I guess USA hockey was supposed to remove every possible concern or issue for their families (who weren't the athletes remember), but the families (or at least some) had no problem dumping their issues in the laps of the players instead of just figuring it out for themselves to help their guys focus.

What a strange sideshow.

I guess he and others can't make up their mind. If it was the wrong time, then it was the wrong time. Stick to that. Fix things via appropriate channels. And guys - it ain't the public. No one cares that your entourages didn't get pampered. If people in the Amazing Race can convince non-English speaking locals to help them get from point A to point B for free, millionaires can hire someone to handle all their needs. Get over yourselves. :lol:

[nccanes]

''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

<snip>

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''



Modano would have been better off had he just left it as emotional post game comments.

They are talking out of both sides of their mouths. If this isn't "an excuse" as Guerin says, then why are they bringing it up in a public forum. Are American supposed to rally behind the cause and call USA Hockey and demand our millionaires be treated better next time?

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' - sounds like they had a little chip on their shoulders, huh?

"''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience

I guess USA hockey was supposed to remove every possible concern or issue for their families (who weren't the athletes remember), but the families (or at least some) had no problem dumping their issues in the laps of the players instead of just figuring it out for themselves to help their guys focus.

What a strange sideshow.

I guess he and others can't make up their mind. If it was the wrong time, then it was the wrong time. Stick to that. Fix things via appropriate channels. And guys - it ain't the public. No one cares that your entourages didn't get pampered. If people in the Amazing Race can convince non-English speaking locals to help them get from point A to point B for free, millionaires can hire someone to handle all their needs. Get over yourselves. :lol:

[nccanes]

''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

<snip>

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''



Modano would have been better off had he just left it as emotional post game comments.

They are talking out of both sides of their mouths. If this isn't "an excuse" as Guerin says, then why are they bringing it up in a public forum. Are American supposed to rally behind the cause and call USA Hockey and demand our millionaires be treated better next time?

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' - sounds like they had a little chip on their shoulders, huh?

"''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience

I guess USA hockey was supposed to remove every possible concern or issue for their families (who weren't the athletes remember), but the families (or at least some) had no problem dumping their issues in the laps of the players instead of just figuring it out for themselves to help their guys focus.

What a strange sideshow.

I guess he and others can't make up their mind. If it was the wrong time, then it was the wrong time. Stick to that. Fix things via appropriate channels. And guys - it ain't the public. No one cares that your entourages didn't get pampered. If people in the Amazing Race can convince non-English speaking locals to help them get from point A to point B for free, millionaires can hire someone to handle all their needs. Get over yourselves. :lol:

[nccanes]

''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

<snip>

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''



Modano would have been better off had he just left it as emotional post game comments.

They are talking out of both sides of their mouths. If this isn't "an excuse" as Guerin says, then why are they bringing it up in a public forum. Are American supposed to rally behind the cause and call USA Hockey and demand our millionaires be treated better next time?

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' - sounds like they had a little chip on their shoulders, huh?

"''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience

I guess USA hockey was supposed to remove every possible concern or issue for their families (who weren't the athletes remember), but the families (or at least some) had no problem dumping their issues in the laps of the players instead of just figuring it out for themselves to help their guys focus.

What a strange sideshow.

I guess he and others can't make up their mind. If it was the wrong time, then it was the wrong time. Stick to that. Fix things via appropriate channels. And guys - it ain't the public. No one cares that your entourages didn't get pampered. If people in the Amazing Race can convince non-English speaking locals to help them get from point A to point B for free, millionaires can hire someone to handle all their needs. Get over yourselves. :lol:

[nccanes]

''In the end, Mike spoke the truth. We had to deal with a lot of other issues along with worrying about the game.''

Modano apologized last week for the tone and timing of his comments, but the Stars captain didn't take back any of what he said when he returned to his team Tuesday.

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' he said. ''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience. There's where I had enough and decided to say something about it.

<snip>

Guerin says criticism of his teammate was unfair.

''It's ridiculous how big this has gotten,'' he said. ''It was never an excuse of how things went on the ice. I feel bad for Mike because his name is being dragged through the mud, and he doesn't deserve that.''



Modano would have been better off had he just left it as emotional post game comments.

They are talking out of both sides of their mouths. If this isn't "an excuse" as Guerin says, then why are they bringing it up in a public forum. Are American supposed to rally behind the cause and call USA Hockey and demand our millionaires be treated better next time?

''Everybody talked about wanting to do it,'' - sounds like they had a little chip on their shoulders, huh?

"''To sit there and hear what they are going through for two weeks, it shouldn't have been that type of experience

I guess USA hockey was supposed to remove every possible concern or issue for their families (who weren't the athletes remember), but the families (or at least some) had no problem dumping their issues in the laps of the players instead of just figuring it out for themselves to help their guys focus.

What a strange sideshow.

I guess he and others can't make up their mind. If it was the wrong time, then it was the wrong time. Stick to that. Fix things via appropriate channels. And guys - it ain't the public. No one cares that your entourages didn't get pampered. If people in the Amazing Race can convince non-English speaking locals to help them get from point A to point B for free, millionaires can hire someone to handle all their needs. Get over yourselves. :lol:

[IceSaber]

As a family member of a professional athelete prior to a big event - i.e. Olympics or say SC run - shouldn't you know enough to take care of the issues anyway and NOT burden your tempermental, sensitive, focused, breadwining athelete so he can concentrate on his (or her ) JOB!!!!

Anyone think one call back home to anyone on the Canes staff by one of the Hurricane Olympiad family members wouldn't have gotten them anything they needed?

[IceSaber]

As a family member of a professional athelete prior to a big event - i.e. Olympics or say SC run - shouldn't you know enough to take care of the issues anyway and NOT burden your tempermental, sensitive, focused, breadwining athelete so he can concentrate on his (or her ) JOB!!!!

Anyone think one call back home to anyone on the Canes staff by one of the Hurricane Olympiad family members wouldn't have gotten them anything they needed?

[IceSaber]

As a family member of a professional athelete prior to a big event - i.e. Olympics or say SC run - shouldn't you know enough to take care of the issues anyway and NOT burden your tempermental, sensitive, focused, breadwining athelete so he can concentrate on his (or her ) JOB!!!!

Anyone think one call back home to anyone on the Canes staff by one of the Hurricane Olympiad family members wouldn't have gotten them anything they needed?

[IceSaber]

As a family member of a professional athelete prior to a big event - i.e. Olympics or say SC run - shouldn't you know enough to take care of the issues anyway and NOT burden your tempermental, sensitive, focused, breadwining athelete so he can concentrate on his (or her ) JOB!!!!

Anyone think one call back home to anyone on the Canes staff by one of the Hurricane Olympiad family members wouldn't have gotten them anything they needed?

[IceSaber]

As a family member of a professional athelete prior to a big event - i.e. Olympics or say SC run - shouldn't you know enough to take care of the issues anyway and NOT burden your tempermental, sensitive, focused, breadwining athelete so he can concentrate on his (or her ) JOB!!!!

Anyone think one call back home to anyone on the Canes staff by one of the Hurricane Olympiad family members wouldn't have gotten them anything they needed?

[IceSaber]

As a family member of a professional athelete prior to a big event - i.e. Olympics or say SC run - shouldn't you know enough to take care of the issues anyway and NOT burden your tempermental, sensitive, focused, breadwining athelete so he can concentrate on his (or her ) JOB!!!!

Anyone think one call back home to anyone on the Canes staff by one of the Hurricane Olympiad family members wouldn't have gotten them anything they needed?

[IceSaber]

As a family member of a professional athelete prior to a big event - i.e. Olympics or say SC run - shouldn't you know enough to take care of the issues anyway and NOT burden your tempermental, sensitive, focused, breadwining athelete so he can concentrate on his (or her ) JOB!!!!

Anyone think one call back home to anyone on the Canes staff by one of the Hurricane Olympiad family members wouldn't have gotten them anything they needed?

[Cool Hand Luke]

What amuses me about this is that they seem to be attempting to use this as some sort of excuse for their poor showing. Someone should tell them that it didn't make any difference for Team Canada, even though their travel plans were arranged.

Or maybe they just want to hear themselves whine and cry a bit. Are we are supposed to feel sorry for them? :sick:

[Cool Hand Luke]

What amuses me about this is that they seem to be attempting to use this as some sort of excuse for their poor showing. Someone should tell them that it didn't make any difference for Team Canada, even though their travel plans were arranged.

Or maybe they just want to hear themselves whine and cry a bit. Are we are supposed to feel sorry for them? :sick:

[Cool Hand Luke]

What amuses me about this is that they seem to be attempting to use this as some sort of excuse for their poor showing. Someone should tell them that it didn't make any difference for Team Canada, even though their travel plans were arranged.

Or maybe they just want to hear themselves whine and cry a bit. Are we are supposed to feel sorry for them? :sick:

[Cool Hand Luke]

What amuses me about this is that they seem to be attempting to use this as some sort of excuse for their poor showing. Someone should tell them that it didn't make any difference for Team Canada, even though their travel plans were arranged.

Or maybe they just want to hear themselves whine and cry a bit. Are we are supposed to feel sorry for them? :sick:

[Cool Hand Luke]

What amuses me about this is that they seem to be attempting to use this as some sort of excuse for their poor showing. Someone should tell them that it didn't make any difference for Team Canada, even though their travel plans were arranged.

Or maybe they just want to hear themselves whine and cry a bit. Are we are supposed to feel sorry for them? :sick:

[Cool Hand Luke]

What amuses me about this is that they seem to be attempting to use this as some sort of excuse for their poor showing. Someone should tell them that it didn't make any difference for Team Canada, even though their travel plans were arranged.

Or maybe they just want to hear themselves whine and cry a bit. Are we are supposed to feel sorry for them? :sick:

[Cool Hand Luke]

What amuses me about this is that they seem to be attempting to use this as some sort of excuse for their poor showing. Someone should tell them that it didn't make any difference for Team Canada, even though their travel plans were arranged.

Or maybe they just want to hear themselves whine and cry a bit. Are we are supposed to feel sorry for them? :sick: