While NHL players love to represent their countries at the Olympics, sometimes, it’s just impossible for them to do so. At the start of the Christmas break in the NHL in 2021, the league and the NHLPA came to an understanding that would prevent their players from taking part in the 2022 Beijing Olympics as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on.
It was a bitter deception, especially for the players who had never had the opportunity to take part in the Olympic tournament. When the league had announced the players would be allowed to take part in September 2021, many were vocal about it being a dream come true. Connor McDavid was quoted as saying winning a gold medal for his country was right there next to winning a cup for his team. Unfortunately for McDavid and co., the pandemic had other plans.
“I think for any Canadian kid growing up playing the game you want to play in the @NHL, you want to win a Stanley Cup & right there next on the list is representing your country at the Olympics & winning a gold medal.”
Connor McDavid
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 3, 2021
One man’s loss is another man’s gain however and the NHL pulling out meant national teams had to find replacement players in a hurry. For a few former Montreal Canadiens it meant suiting up for Team Canada at the Olympics for a first time, or for some, having a final swan song on the international stage. Marc Barberio, Morgan Ellis, Adam Cracknell and Eddie Pascale all had short stays in the Canadiens’ organization before wearing the national jersey in Beijing.
There were, however, some former Canadiens fans probably remember more; Jordan Weal, David Desharnais and Eric Staal, all had longer stays in Montreal and various level of success, it must be said.
The Trade Deadline Acquisition
In his Montreal GM days, Marc Bergevin had a knack for making underwhelming acquisitions at the trade deadline and 2019 was no exception. In the run up to the deadline that year, he acquired Christian Folin, Dale Weise, Nate Thompson and Jordan Weal. The Canadiens would be Folin’s last team in the NHL as he would go back to Europe after the following season. Weise would go to Russia after the 2019-2020 season and be joined by Weal after the 2020-2021 season. I will give the GM props for Nate Thompson though. He was a great veteran presence around youngsters and instantly became “Uncle Nate.”
Even though Jordan Weal only played two more seasons in the Canadiens’ organization, he…