Flyers' Jake Voracek: Players 'caught in middle' of NHL's Olympic snub

NEWARK, N.J. - Like many NHL players, Flyers right winger Jake Voracek said he felt "caught in the middle" by the league's decision not to send players to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

On one hand, Voracek feels obligated to the Flyers, the team that in 2015 signed him to an eight-year, $66 million contract extension.

On the other hand, his patriotism makes him desperately want to represent his homeland, the Czech Republic, in the Olympics.

"You're caught in the middle," he said before Tuesday's game against the Devils in New Jersey. "If you don't go, you feel like an ass that you're not going for Czech. If you go, you feel like an ass toward the guys here and toward the organization. There's no win-win situation."

It's the first time in 20 years that the NHL won't interrupt its season for about three weeks so its star players can compete in the Olympics.

Players around the NHL sharply criticized the NHL's decision, but the league saw the 13-hour difference to the Eastern time zone as problematic, and team owners were wary of injuries - and stopping the season's momentum.

"It is what it is, but there's nothing you can do," Voracek said. "I think everybody is pretty disappointed about it. I'm still hoping that somehow we'll find a way to go there. Every single player wants to go, but they still say we're not going. We really don't have the power."

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has said he plans to attend the Olympics regardless of the NHL's sentiments.

Voracek was asked if he would follow in Ovechkin's footsteps.

"Tough question. I think he's got a little different position than me," said Voracek, noting Ovechkin was a three-time Hart Trophy winner as the NHL's MVP. "It's something as a player I can consider it, but in the end, it's hard to say right now if I would go or not go. I don't know the answer to it."