Wednesday, January 9, 2002
Hecht says 'nein' to German Olympic team
By ROBIN BROWNLEE -- Edmonton Sun
Jochen Hecht is playing his finest hockey of this season for the Edmonton Oilers right now, but he won't be lending his considerable talents to Germany for Olympic qualifying.
While the Oilers had given Hecht permission to play for Germany in a qualifying game against Slovakia Feb. 9 in Salt Lake during a four-game road trip, travel difficulties and the prospect of having him play four games in four days has shelved the plan.
A GOOD DECISION
"It's not possible," Hecht said yesterday morning after an announcement by the German Ice Hockey Federation and the Oilers. "I think, for the long run of the season, for the team here, it's a good decision we made.
"The schedule is really tough. If I wouldn't have to play four games in four nights, I would go, but the situation, it's impossible for me to contribute to the German team, to help them."
Hecht, 24, a member of Germany's 1998 Olympic team, would have been faced with a gruelling travel day just to be in the lineup for the game against Slovakia.
With the Oilers playing in Atlanta Feb. 5, in St. Louis Feb. 7 and in Dallas Feb. 8, Hecht would have had to fly to Salt Lake early Feb. 9, play against Slovakia, then jump a jet to Phoenix, where the Oilers play the Coyotes Feb. 10, right after the game.
"We really appreciate the Oilers allowing us to use Jochen, but the circumstances had us all agreeing that it would not be possible for Jochen to play," GIHF director Franz Reindl said. "We, of course, will still welcome Jochen on the German team in the event we qualify."
Hecht, who has scored 13-12-25 in 45 games with the Oilers after a career-high four-point outburst in a 7-6 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, certainly would have bolstered Germany's qualifying hopes.
YOUNG PLAYERS
"If we qualify for the final round, I will go definitely and try to help my team," Hecht said. "We have a pretty good team, a lot of young players, a lot of good players who have never been to an Olympic tournament.
"If I played the one game and we qualify, I would be even more exhausted in the final round. It would probably hurt more."
The Oilers have six players slated to play in Salt Lake. Ryan Smyth and Eric Brewer will represent Canada, Jussi Markkanen and Janne Niinimaa will play for Finland, Tom Poti will represent the U.S. and Tommy Salo is Sweden's starting goalie.
GREEN LIGHTS ...
With Dan Cleary and Tom Poti cleared to play against Carolina, the Oilers are healthy for the first time in a long time.
Cleary, 23, will be back on right wing on a line with Hecht and Rem Murray against the Canes after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and missing 14 games.
Poti, 24, will return to the blueline for the first time since Dec. 21, when he suffered a broken finger on his left hand in Chicago that required surgery.
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
