Vlasic considered risking arrest, contract termination to play at PyeongChang 2018

San Jose Sharks defenceman - and 2014 Sochi Olympic Gold medalist - Marc Edouard Vlasic was so disappointed by the NHL's decision not to let players participate in the PyeongChang Olympics that he considered risking arrest and contract termination in an effort to play.

"Do you want to do that?" Vlasic asked about the possible legal action, according to Ross McKeon of the San Francisco Gate. "You're getting pretty far into the legal department there."

When the NHL announced in April it wouldn't send players to the Winter Games, it ended a run of five Winter Olympics that included the world's best talent.

Vlasic was so persistent in his efforts to eschew the league's decision that his lawyers told him that he risked termination of the eight-year, $56-million extension he signed in July, would be subject to a court order, and a possible arrest if he refused to obey the rules.

"I don't think it would have gone that far, but it's a possibility," Vlasic said.

But don't expect Vlasic to pull up a chair to watch the PyeongChang games, though.

"Am I going to watch the hockey? I'll probably see the highlights. I won't sit down and watch it," he said.

The 30-year-old Montreal native holds out hope he'll be able to represent his country at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

"I would love to in 2022," he said. "I'm fighting not only for myself in '22 but for every other player who gets a chance to do it in 2026, '30, '34 and down the road. I'm not just thinking of myself, I'm thinking about all the players who deserve to go."

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