Brian Burke Puts American Players on Blast Regarding Their Involvement at the IIHF World Championship
Photo credit: © Adam Cairns/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Brian Burke isn't very happy with American players at the moment, as he put them on blast for not seeming eager to show up and partake in IIHF World Championships.
Brian Burke worked with the U.S. national team during the years 2008-2016 and spoke about how difficult it is to get players committed in order to play in the IIHF World Championship.
"It's a real problem for us as a country. To get people to go. I beg people to go. I threaten people."
- Brian Burke
- Brian Burke
The tournament, however, is not usually attended by the top American players because a majority of the players in the NHL decline the invitation as they are injured, are under a signed contract, or would prefer a break following a long season.
It has in the past compelled Team USA to play with anything but their strongest available.
The USA has only ever won two IIHF World Championships
The United States only won two times in the IIHF World Championship in the entirety of its history. The first was in 1933 and the second in 1960, a year where the World Championship was jointly shared with the Winter Olympics.
Despite the difficulties of retaining their best and brightest, Team USA has been amazingly consistent for a number of decades, often advancing to the semifinals and winning bronze medals.
The rarity of having a perfectly optimal lineup with the greatest players has not yet resulted in a third championship title for the United States, and with the length of time this has lasted, some decades, this is a significant drought in the world of ice hockey.
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FEVRIER 22 | 312 ANSWERS Brian Burke Puts American Players on Blast Regarding Their Involvement at the IIHF World Championship Do you agree with Brian Burke's statement on this situation? | ||
| Yes | 201 | 64.4 % |
| No | 111 | 35.6 % |
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