According to him, the NHL did not respect its word.
"It's very disappointing. It was promised to us in the collective agreement."
In addition, the Boston Bruins' little pest accused the league's top executives of only thinking about their wallets, rather than the wishes of their players. He thinks it's totally unfair that the best hockey players in the world won't be able to represent their country for a second consecutive Olympic competition.
"I felt like they [NHL officials] were trying to get out of it for a while and they didn't want us to go," he said. "There should be a way to go and experience it. Some people work their whole lives for this."
"I know in the end they don't care about the Olympics because it doesn't bring them any money," he continued. "It's a business and we are resources. Let's call a spade a spade. They don't want us to get hurt there, that's part of it, but it should be the player's choice to go to that tournament."
"We're talking about the Olympics. They're the best in the world. If you've earned the right to go, you should be able to go. It's very disappointing."
This was most likely the Halifax native's last chance to go to the Olympics as a Team Canada athlete, given his advanced age of 33. A BIG disappointment for him.