Now that all Olympic men's hockey rosters have been released, fans and the media have begun the conversation regarding what players were snubbed by their respective countries.
While the selection of the Canadian, Russian, and Swedish teams are the latest big news, to me, the American team not including Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan was the biggest surprise.
Looking at Team USA, while it may be phenomenal at killing penalties, it may have trouble scoring goals. With this in mind I don't understand how a prolific scorer like Ryan was left off the team.
Enter the Socratic method.
Named after the Greek philosopher Socrates, this technique strives to find truth by asking questions. The most famous use of this method was by Plato, whose writings depict Socrates (Plato's teacher) using the method to show others (like Polemarchus in The Republic) the flaws in their arguments.
I will now use the Socratic method to try to find the logic behind Ryan's team USA snub.
The part of Socrates will be in a bold font.
The part of Polemarchus will be in an italic font.
Socrates and the Bobby Ryan snub
(Socrates is returning home from a religious festival when he is stopped by nobleman and Team USA hockey enthusiast Polemarchus)
Hello Socrates. I saw the Team USA player selection on TV and I believe Bobby Ryan not being selected for the Olympic hockey team for Socchi is both good and just. While Ryan is an elite goal scorer in the NHL, and a great player, he does not fit into the identity of team USA. The team is designed to be defensively responsible and that is not Ryan's game.
Hey Polemarchus. Are you really telling me you don't want a guy who can do this?
(Socrates takes out his iPod and initiates the YouTube app.)
(Socrates takes out his iPod and initiates the YouTube app.)
Hmmm. You do make an interesting point Socrates. Highlight reel goals aside, USA Hockey has put a premium on speed and tenacity. Canadian and American teams have historically struggled on international ice and the U.S. believes that speed will be its key to victory.
Does this guy look slow to you?
I agree that goal was virtuous, but I must say that Ryan out-skating a defenceman who started at a standstill, on one specific occasion, is not the point. As U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team director of player personnel Brian Burke said in the Scott Burnside article, winning requires intense players and Ryan cannot even spell the word.
I have pretty intense feeling about this goal. I-N-T-E-N-S-E. Not enough for you?
I concede that Ryan is an elite scorer. I just don't think he can be effective as a bottom six forward.
Have you ever seen a guy do this before? I'll bet you haven't.
Wow! That goal was unbelievable. As usual, Socrates, your logic is flawless. Clearly it is the imperative of any team to make room for a player who can dangle in such an exquisite fashion. Again Socrates, I bow to your superior rational mind. Clearly any organization that passes up a player like Ryan over-thought the selection process and made a terrible mistake.
