Why are people in the hockey world, and the world as a whole become so afraid, and offended by honesty. The recent comment made by Brian Burke on Bobby Ryan not being selected to the US Olympic team has sent the hockey world into frenzy. Twitter has been exploding with negative comments toward Brian Burke. What are people upset about? Are they upset that someone told the truth? Society continues to live in a world where we sugar coat everything. Everyone is so worried about being politically correct that they forget what the truth is. This will probably never change, and we will now live in a world where truth is something that one should keep to their selves.
On Thursday, a report came out from Scott Burnside of ESPN.com in regards to the selection process for the US Olympic hockey team. Burnside along with a USA Today reporter were both allowed access to every U.S. selection committee meetings over a 171-day period. Burke was quoted in the article talking on his thoughts on Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan. “He is not intense. That word is not in his vocabulary. It’s never going to be in his vocabulary. He can’t spell intense.” Ryan was not selected for the U.S. team, and this report created quit a controversy. In response to this Burke comment, Ryan fired back by calling Burke “gutless” and said he felt degraded. Later in the day Friday US General Manager David Poile apologized for USA Hockey by stating. “When I asked all of our committee (members) to give me their final roster, (Burke) had Bobby Ryan on his team, I’m not disputing what was said,” Poile said. “These meetings were very intense and very passionate. But for the things that were said against Bobby Ryan there were many, many things that were said positively about Bobby Ryan.” Poile went on to say “I’m trying right now to apologize to Bobby Ryan. If it was said about me, I would be upset. Denigrating any player is not what anyone signed up for.” It is a difficult selection process and the decisions are very difficult to make.
Now should the comments of Brian Burke be said? Yes! Should they have been reported? Yes! Did USA hockey make an error in allowing the media in the situation room? Yes! Should Bobby Ryan be upset? Yes! The fact is Brian Burke was doing his job speaking what he thinks, and selecting the team that he thinks will be the best. Now the one at fault is USA hockey. This is a situation that the media should not have had access too. Or if they were granted access, some sort of agreement on what could be reported should have been made. Now from a media stand point I believe that this was something that should be reported and is fair game. I hate saying that access to the media should have been limited, but it should have. I just wish that someone speaking the truth should not be the bad guy. We all have opinions, and there is nothing wrong with voicing your opinion.
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.