Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner has informed Sweden that he will not settle for their invitation to play within the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Lehner is the primary high-profile NHL participant to announce he will not take part within the Beijing Video games, which is able to characteristic restrictive COVID-19 protocols and doubtlessly prolonged quarantines for individuals who check constructive and exhibit signs in China.
Lehner, 30, mentioned he made the choice “for well being causes” and after discussing the state of affairs along with his psychiatrist. He made the announcement in a postgame information convention following the Golden Knights’ 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Sunday evening.
He was anticipated to be within the combine for Sweden’s Olympic starter with Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom following the retirement of Henrik Lundqvist, who was their major goaltender in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
“I want him all one of the best,” mentioned Lehner.
In a follow-up tweet later Sunday evening, Lehner wrote, “I am very disenchanted and it robust resolution for me because it’s as soon as in life time alternative. Actuality is that what have been mentioned about how it is going to be will not be very best for my psychological well being.
“My nicely being [has to] come first and being locked down and never realizing what occurs if you happen to check constructive is [too] a lot of a danger for me. Sweden could have a fantastic group and Markström is a beast. Hope folks perceive.”
Took very long time to make resolution with my psychiatrist and household. My nicely being have too come first and being locked down and never realizing what occurs if you happen to check constructive is to a lot of a danger for me. Sweden could have a fantastic group and Markström is a beast.Hope folks perceive ❤️
— Robin Lehner (@RobinLehner) December 6, 2021
Lehner has been one of many NHL’s main voices on the psychological well being consideration of gamers. He was important of some facets of the league’s “playoff bubble” that it created in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. He was also critical of the league’s restrictions on vaccinated players last season, saying “we have to begin [making] the psychological well being essential as nicely on this state of affairs.”
The NHL intends to ship its gamers to the 2022 Winter Olympics after skipping the 2018 Video games in South Korea. The league and the gamers collectively bargained to have NHL participation within the subsequent two Winter Video games. Nevertheless, the NHL has till Jan. 10 to choose out with none monetary penalties ought to COVID-19 circumstances worsen or in any other case pose a menace to the well being and security of gamers.