Participation in Olympics Hits a Stumbling Block

The International Ice Hockey Federation has refused to grant approval for NHL players to participate in the Olympics because it is disturbed by King owner Philip Anschutz’s purchase of interests in four European club teams, according to the Toronto Globe and Mail.

Anschutz, the Kings’ principal owner, owns teams in London, Prague and Berlin and has part interest in the Jokerit team in Finland. IIHF officials fear Anschutz is attempting to turn Europe into a farm system for the NHL, and they have withheld approval of the NHL’s plans to send its top players to the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

“Some people are not happy,” IIHF President Rene Fasel told the Globe and Mail. “Some people do not like the way [Anschutz] came over here. If NHL people think we are not using our hockey market over here properly, they’re wrong. Europe is our market, and we’ll fight anyone who comes over here and tries to steal our market.”

Fasel is scheduled to meet this month with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who last week was authorized by the league’s board of governors to complete negotiations on an Olympic agreement. Fasel said he will ask Bettman about the league’s plans for Europe. European federations can refuse to release players from European teams to play in the NHL.