09-06-2024, 07:48 PMartermis Wrote: I think we're fortunate to not necessarily be bound in what our teams have to be.

I certainly agree personally that a Team Quebec is an oddity that will take some time getting used to, but on the other hand, the prospect of people being excited and passionate of representing and cheering on Quebec, as evidenced by the support that has been shown both in these applications and the previous time we opened up applications to new nations, has me excited for what Quebec might become.

That's not to say that the other aps didn't inspire that type of confidence, as Iceland submitted a very good application as well, or last time we had open apps like these, there was a Pan-Africa Team proposed under the banner of Zimbabwe, and that got me excited as well because there was such a vision there.

I guess in the end, I love the energy and vision some people have, more than the nations they choose, and that influences the way I personally vote, but even in this one I was torn. I have but only one vote, so I can't speak for the rest of HO, but I would've been quite happy with any of the final four I think, and especially the two I supported the most.

I'll have to take your word for it that there is a lot of enthusiasm for an independent Quebec team. I know I'm new here and I realize my opinion is only one person's and may not hold much weight, but I think it's worth putting this out there: this decision massively reduces my enthusiasm for (potentially, someday) participating in IIHF, as my country no longer exists. "Rest of Canada" is not something I have any interest in representing.