During this year’s Winter Olympics, one of the most entertaining competitions has been hockey. Yet as the games draw to a close, fans are left to wonder if this might be the last time many of their favorite players are going to represent their respective countries in the Olympics.

The National Hockey League has stated that it will not provide a break in the season schedule to allow players to play in the 2014 Olympic Games. This means that NHL stars would, in theory, not be allowed to take part in the games because of their obligation to their NHL team. This decision could be the worst decisions the league has made since canceling its season as a result of the owners’ lockout.

The purpose of the Olympics is to bring the world together through sports and allow the best athletes in the world to compete in a central location. The NHL’s announcement demonstrates a selfish decision, essentially telling its players, its fans and the rest of the world that it believes the NHL is more important than the Olympics. Other pro hockey leagues around the world apparently have never even contemplated the thought.

Some people may argue that the league is making this decision to protect the players from the risk of injury. While I understand the NHL is a business and that teams make investments in their players, that does not justify prohibiting players from representing their countries. Washington Capitols star Alexander Ovechkin already has stated his intent to play in the 2014 Olympics whether the NHL stops the season or not, especially since the games will be in his native Russia. When 2014 approaches, I’ll be willing to bet that Ovechkin will not be the only star choosing his country over his NHL team.

At a time when hockey in this country finally is recovering from the canceled season and fans are coming back out to the arenas, the NHL should reconsider its decision. This is a risk that the NHL cannot afford to take. Another disaster in the eyes of the fans could force the league into tough times that it might never recover from.

Instead of looking at the fact that its season is delayed for two weeks, the NHL should examine the positive aspects of Olympic representation. It would be hard to argue that Olympic hockey provides anything but an Olympic-sized booster shot for the sport every four years.

In addition, teams also have the ability to advertise to their fans which of their players are going to be participating and for which country. Perhaps the NHL will reconsider this decision when it sees the “bottom line” at the end of the Games and the fans’ response to the players coming back from Vancouver.