Feb 10 • 20:41 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Ilta-Sanomat

Only one of Finland's NHL millionaires got a private room in the Olympic Village

One member of Finland's Olympic hockey team, Mikael Granlund, has a private room in the Milan Olympic Village, unlike his NHL counterparts.

In contrast to Canadian NHL millionaires, Finland's national hockey team, known as the Leijonat, is staying in the Olympic Village in Milan, Italy. The accommodations are notably modest, with small rooms featuring just a bed and a nightstand, devoid of luxuries such as televisions. This starkly contrasts the five-star luxury hotels typically associated with NHL travel, highlighting the differences in experience for professional players during international competitions.

The Olympic Village rooms are designed for two occupants, which differs from the NHL's collective bargaining agreement that guarantees players their own rooms during away games based on rookie contract status. The presence of shared accommodations at the Olympic Village sheds light on the more communal aspects of Olympic participation, which often foster team bonding and camaraderie among players as they compete for national pride.

Mikael Granlund, the captain of the Finnish team, is the only player reported to have received a private room in the Olympic Village, illustrating the unique status he holds within the team. The team's room assignments were reportedly not random, suggesting there were considerations made into the dynamics among the group, which can be crucial for performance and morale during the high-stakes environment of the Olympics.

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