This morning Hockey Canada announced that David Perron would not participate in this year's World Championships because of a hip injury. Perron's departure from team Canada means that Ben Scrivens will be Edmonton's sole representative on the National team. Perron's injury comes as a bit of a surprise as he finished the season having not missed any significant time and playing relatively effective hockey. No doubt this is of great disappointment to him.
Playing for your country is a great honour, even if the opportunity comes because you have been eliminated from the Playoffs or never made it in the first place. That's why I can feel a little disappointment in the fact that all 3 of RNH, Eberle, and Hall were asked to wear the Maple Leaf and flatly turned it down. My hope is that, like Perron, there were unannounced injuries that played into this decision.
It gives me an uneasy feeling to think that the younger Oiler trio chose against playing for their country because Hall was snubbed for the Olympics or any other selfish reason. I just think there are players who would kill to be asked to play for their country and I dont think anyone would finish their careers wishing they had played less for Canada. If they were able to play and decided against going then shame on them.
For the forwards who were going the World Championships werent going to be about Development. RNH, Hall, and Eberle are past that. In reality, Hall would be one of the best players in the tournament. Plus it's not as if having Oilers there in abundance in past years has catapulted the careers of Dubnyk or Gagner into super-stardom.
No, being chosen to play was more about being recognized for their quality play and their ability to help Canada win the World Championship. It should be a point of pride, and now instead of answering questions about their status as elite players on the World stage they will be asked questions about their character.
Fair or not, that's the price paid for turning down your country.
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