Samuelsson irate over Olympic snub

by James Mirtle on Dec 28, 2009 2:03 PM CST Comment 25 comments

Canuck winger Mikael Samuelsson had a rather succinct message for coach Bengt-Aake Gustafsson and the rest of the Swedish Olympic hockey program after he was left off the team's 23-man roster announced Sunday.

"I pretty much have one comment and maybe I'll regret it," Samulesson said. "But they can go f*** themselves. That's what I really think."

— Vancouver Sun

Just imagine the furor a Canadian player would have caused...

Samuelsson is ninth in scoring among Swedes in the NHL and really wasn't a lock to make the team. Still, they did make a few weird choices, leaving off other players having strong seasons like Kristian Huselius, Nicklas Bergfors and Alexander Edler in favour of Fredrik Modin, etc.

Here's some reaction to his comments from Sweden.

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Bergfors isn't eligible

According to This article from fire and ice, he didn’t go through the pre-olympic drug testings

Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Dec 28, 2009 2:10 PM CST reply actions

I appreciate players being honest like that.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Dec 28, 2009 2:12 PM CST reply actions

Bergfors wasn’t eligible, thats why he’s not on the team, not because they made a weird choice.

by DarrenS on Dec 28, 2009 2:29 PM CST reply actions

They could have just added him to the eligibility list ahead of time, no?

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Dec 28, 2009 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

Ditto jakeshapiro

I also appreciate his candor. I understand his frustration and I believe he may be a bit justified, and while I would never hold his honest reaction against him(as a reasonable, mature adult) I have to wonder what kind of shitstorm he just created for himself. I’m sure we all know what happens when you give people justification to feel offended in this day and age. Sad times, I know, but I really wonder.

by Rage6878 on Dec 28, 2009 2:53 PM CST reply actions

Why not say what he feels? It isn’t as though it will keep him off the team in another four years. If he were a young guy with the opportunity to play on future teams ahead of him, he might have been a bit more circumspect.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 28, 2009 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Wow— “go fuck themselves” is different than “it’s fucking bullshit” or something of that ilk, as it separates the decision from the people making the decision. I’m not sure how I feel about it quite yet, although the honesty is appreciated (as others have mentioned).

Should be interesting to see how this all shakes out, especially in the Canucks locker room with the Sedins etc. I’m sure they’ll be fielding some interesting questions from the press in the coming days, and their reaction is the one I’m looking forward to the most.

Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution

by Mr. Plank on Dec 28, 2009 3:16 PM CST reply actions

That Vancouver Sun piece I’ve linked to quotes the twins:

“I think they are both deserving to be there,” Henrik Sedin said. “But it’s up to the coach and what he wants and how he wants different players. In the Olympics you need the role players, you can’t have all the best players there. It’s too bad, but life goes on.”

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by James Mirtle on Dec 28, 2009 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

James, is there really a need for role players in world tournaments? You briefly mentioned something about that back when the camp rosters came out, but I can’t remember what it was

by Hansmoleman on Dec 28, 2009 11:29 PM CST up reply actions

It depends what you mean by role players… someone’s going to play on the PK, etc., so you do need players capable of that.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Dec 29, 2009 2:00 AM CST up reply actions

You also need guys who can win faceoffs, shutdown opposing players, etc. Sometimes those guys aren’t the goal-scoring, highlight reel guys.

"I know everyone has their own opinion, but your opinion is wrong. "

by Mike @ MHH on Dec 29, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

LOL’ing at the pic of Wade Redden fixing his helmet after getting beaten for yet another goal against.

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by poploser on Dec 28, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions

He needs to

get over himself. He got beaten out by players who work harder, plain and simple.

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by Chris Burton on Dec 28, 2009 5:33 PM CST reply actions

Fred Modin?

Yup, he worked his @zz off compared to Mike Samuelsson.

by garth the hoser on Dec 28, 2009 6:16 PM CST reply actions

Eh

You’re right, Modin didn’t deserve a spot over MS—but guys like Hornqvist and Pahlsson will provide some much needed grit.

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by Chris Burton on Dec 28, 2009 10:40 PM CST up reply actions

Hornqvist is gritty?

by Jevant on Dec 29, 2009 7:34 AM CST up reply actions

Extremely

Understandably you wouldn’t know, as most NHL fans don’t watch Nashville, but Hornqvist’s two favorite spots are along the boards and in front of the goalie. 11 goals thus far, and doesn’t show signs of slowing down. He’ll be good on a 3rd or 4th line.

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by Chris Burton on Dec 29, 2009 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

Interesting

I’ve followed him a bit, but more traditional stats/TOI wise than anything else. He’s been on my radar for a while for fantasy purposes as well.

Thanks for the tip.

by Jevant on Dec 29, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

We are also talking about grit from the Swedish perspective rather than the Canadian. ;)

by Resolute on Dec 29, 2009 12:16 PM CST up reply actions

Awesome

I think his response is awesome. I don’t really care what it does to the relations between him and the Canucks, him and the national team or him and other Swedes in the league. I am happy to hear a hockey player talk like he is actually a person and not a wooden board. Seriously, hockey players are some of the most boring interviews and are completely devoid of sound bites. Especially, the Canadian players. How funny is it that it is a Swede who makes a comment like this? Usually they are no more fun than the Canadians when it comes to sound bites. Remember the verbal sparring in the media between Roy and Roenick during the playoffs many years ago? That’s the best stuff. I love it and want to hear more from hockey players.

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by Urban Sombrero on Dec 28, 2009 6:33 PM CST reply actions

Roy and Roenick. When egos run amok.

Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.

by Smoboy41 on Dec 28, 2009 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

well…I think Sweden knows who they won’t be calling when Forsberg ends up injured again…

-Kevin Forbes
Hockey's Future

by kforbes on Dec 28, 2009 9:46 PM CST reply actions

Lidstrom stated:

“Little bit surprised that Sammy didn’t make it,” Lidstrom said. “He played real strong the last Olympics and he’s had a good first half in Vancouver, too. But it’s not easy picking players and you’re looking at left and right shots and we have some right shooters in there right now.”

http://freep.com/article/20091228/SPORTS05/912280365/1053/sports05/Sweden-picks-Lidstrom-3-others-for-Olympics

by hallock on Dec 29, 2009 12:45 AM CST reply actions