Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf has been under fire from many fans as of late for turning down an offer to play for Team Canada at The World Championships.
Instead of representing his country in Halifax, he is now laying on a hot sunny beach in Hawaii with his girlfriend, sexy actress Elisha Cuthbert. I repeat….ELISHA CUTHBERT!
Now put aside my extreme jealousy for the extremely pale son-of-a-gun! Is it so awful, or selfish, to refuse this invitation after a long 82 game schedule? Is it dishonoring his country?
Personally, I do not think so.
First of all, an invitation of this sort is optional. Yes, it’s a very big honor to be chosen to represent our country, but it still a personal choice. We should respect his choice, especially after a grueling 82 game season.
Dion Phaneuf is definitely not the first to refuse the offer.
In 2002, before the Winter Games in Salt-Lake City Utah, goaltender Patrick Roy stated that he does not want to play in the Olympics that year. He wanted to use the break to rest and spend time with his family.
This left room for Martin Brodeur, Ed Belfour and Curtis Joseph, one who would not have been selected if Roy decided to play in the games. And we all know the result. As a Canadian, I will never forget Team Canada winning the Gold Medal game against the United States.
Recently in the NBA, Steve Nash said he would not play for Team Canada in the Summer Games in Beijing. The schedule was too much and he needs the time to rest, he stated. Nash was bashed by fans because our best Canadian player would not play.
Even during these World Championships, Phaneuf was not the first to say “No”. Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo also refused the invitation to play for Team Canada. He wants to spend time with his wife and newly born baby girl. We all heard about the birth his daughter, which made headlines in the sports world. “What will the Canucks do?”. But Roberto was back just one day after the birth of his baby to save the Canucks.
Time to heal? Time to rest? Spend time with family? Those selfish bastards!
Clearly as Canadians we are passionate about our sports. And representing our country on the world stage is a matter of pride and honor. But as fans, we should understand that it’s a choice. It’s the players’ choice! Because it’s the players who spend most of the year away from their families and it takes a toll physically and mentally on them. So why must we jump on a player because he refuses to play for Team Canada?
Aren’t we the ones being selfish then?
Comments (11) Add a comment »
from 8 days ago
personnally, I dont get how people make so much fuss about this. they even talked about it during of the record yesterday. I mean, that is his private life, he can date whoever he wants (and frankly they are cute together), and he can spend whatever time he wants with whoever he wants, wherever he wants.
he said he wanted to rest, this is his way of resting!!
sean avery may not appreciate but still, it is everyone's private life
good read!
from 8 days ago
Elisha Cuthbert > Ken Hitchcock.
from 8 days ago
Hitch is sexy and all, but the bikini doesnt fit him like it does on Elisha. Im with Spencer...id spend my summer with her too.
from 8 days ago
And it's not like Team Canada needs the extra help....
from 8 days ago
U SPEL CANCUCKS RONG!
from 8 days ago
Edited. Thank you.
from 8 days ago
Well let's be honest. If you don't want to play for Team Canada because you want a break and a vacation with what seems to be everybody in the NHL's "girlfriend" at some point then just say that. Don't use "I have a hip injury" when there are pictures of you running on the beach, swimming, playing in the ocean. As a Flames fan I am disgusted that he just couldn't be honest. Hey, date whoever you want - personally I wouldn't want sloppy thirds - Phaneuf can do better than that.
from 8 days ago
whatta punk bunney....dosnt mean i still wouldnt do her though, lol.
from 8 days ago
this is not a big deal. Its not like Canada needs luongo or phaneuf. also, hockey players have lives away from the rink as well. as you know, luongo wants to spend time with his wife and baby. now, how is that selfish???
from 8 days ago
Keith, isn't that was I just said? Or you were just agreeing with me? lol
from 3 days ago
I think Canadian players should want to play for Canada - Same goes for Americans, Swedes, Russians, Finns and the like. It's sad when our best athletes snub the invitation - and I give real credit to Doaner, Ovechkin, Parise, Heatley, Selanne and the other guys who bravely showed up to represent.
HOWEVER... there are some automatic exemptions like:
ROLLING AROUND THE SURF WITH ELISHA CUTHBERT!!!
DUDE, FOR THAT, WE'LL FIND YOU A REPLACEMENT! Go with my blessing, young Dion.
(This exemption also applies to players dating Alyssa Milano... etc.)
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