Arizona Coyotes left wing Jordan Martinook (48), of Canada, vies for the puck with Los Angeles center Anze Kopitar (11), of Yugoslavia, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 2, 2017, in Los Angeles. Kings defenseman Brayden McNabb (3), and Coyote Right wing Josh Joonis, of Canada, move in on the play. (AP Photo/Richard Hartog)

NHL not going to 2018 Olympics in South Korea

The NHL is not going to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

The league announced its decision Monday afternoon, saying the matter was “officially closed.”

The league says no meaningful dialogue had materialized in talks with the NHLPA, International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation. The league wanted to close the matter before the playoffs, which begin April 13.

Team owners have complained that stopping the NHL season for three weeks every four years wasn’t worth it.

NHL players had participated in the previous five Olympics dating to 1998. Many players expressed a strong desire to go, and Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has said he plans to go regardless of NHL participation.

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Abbey Westbury

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