Harper to Bettman: Let NHL stars play in Sochi

Harper says he speaks for all Canadians who want to see the country's top players don the Maple Leaf at the Winter Games.

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is urging NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to let the league’s stars play in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Harper says he speaks for all Canadians who want to see the country’s top players don the Maple Leaf at the Winter Games.

NHL players have been part of the Olympics since 1998 in Nagano, Japan.

The league is mulling whether it is worth shutting down the NHL season for a few weeks to let its players take part in the 2014 Games.

The NHL, International Olympic Committee, International Ice Hockey Federation and NHL Players’ Association held meetings earlier this year to discuss the league letting its players go to Sochi.

But so far no decision has been made on the NHLers’ participation.

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