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The Vancouver Olympics were great this year.....especially for hockey.  A sport that has struggled to even survive over the last 10 years got a huge boost from Team USA and the other countries.

The Americans stunned everyone, rolling to the gold medal game against Canada.  For the first time in recent memory, everyone was talking about hockey. 

It was even being shown on network tv again.  In fact, the gold medal game got HUGE ratings.  Ratings were up between 10-20% each night compared with the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.  They say one out of every three Americans who were watching tv at the time were tuned into the game.  What a coup for the NHL.

Not only that, but pretty much all of the countries had teams comprised of the biggest stars in hockey.  In order to do this, the NHL had to halt their season for a few weeks....a hassle, I agree.  But considering the outcome, it was well worth it.

Now comes word from commissioner Gary Bettman that the NHL may not oblige the Olympics in 2014.  They may not decide to interrupt their season, and several if not all NHL stars may not even be a part of those Olympic Games.

What a mistake!

This year's Olympics were the greatest thing to happen to hockey since the "Miracle on Ice" back in 1980.  The NHL needs to embrace the Olympics, and make sure they remain a part of the Games.  For once, casual sports fans are excited and energized about hockey. 

The WORST thing the NHL could do is turn their back on the Olympics.  Then people will be forced to search out the NHL on Versus....which I highly doubt one out of every three viewers would do in America.