Ethics lapse in Canada?

This article is from last week, but I held onto it until the results came out:

When Hockey Canada names its 32-man roster for the final selection camp for the world junior team Monday, it will in all likelihood ostensibly be condoning cross-checking your teammate in the face, then leaving your team and demanding a trade....Once again, it appears that no matter how players behave, they're free to represent their country as long as they can do the job on the ice.

Sure enough...

Downie's trade to the Petes in the wake of junior hockey's biggest scandal this season, combined with Downie's play for the Petes since coming back, landed him among the 34 players invited to Canada's final selection camp. And while there are no locks, it's clear Downie will have to play himself off the team not to be included in Canada's plans.

Team Canada's director of player personnel went on the defensive regarding Downie:

"...I'm not saying Steve Downie is an angel, but you know what, neither are 34 players that come to camp and neither are the people standing around here talking to me right now."

Yeah, but I doubt any other players (or reporters, for that matter) cross-checked and fought their own teammates, were suspended and ordered to receive counseling, and then demanded a trade. I don't think any of the other guys did anything THAT bad.

The first article also mentions the similar dilemma Team Canada was in with Bertuzzi, another screwup. Of course his previous horrible behavior didn't matter then, either. Apparently, practically ending someone else's career doesn't matter to Team Canada. I suppose it's ideal if you can do that to one of your opponents, especially in the Olympics, as long as it's not a guy on your own NHL team. I still can't believe that Bertuzzi didn't serve any real punishment for that. What utter bullshit. It's too bad; I used to like (or at least not hate) the Canucks, but not since the verdict came out.

Just to set the record straight, I wouldn't like this situation if it happened in the U.S. either; it's not a nationalistic thing. It's a fairness thing. Why should someone be rewarded for their shameful behavior like that? I understand that a country wants their team to win, but I don't care if the guy's a good player. It would be like if football was an Olympic sport and they wanted to put T.O. on there; it would be morally wrong to put him on the team (i.e., rewarding him for stupid and childish behavior). I realize that pro sports is not about ethics and morals, but it seems demoralizing for the kids who dream of being on Team Canada (both the junior and senior teams) someday. It doesn't teach a good lesson; it shows that as long as you're a good player, you can act any way you want to and your behavior will be excused. Great.

Fred's at the Caps game tonight so he hasn't seen this post yet, but I'm sure that as a Canadian citizen and hockey fan, he'll have plenty to say about it.