Toews: Skipping Olympics would be 'misrepresenting our sport'

Count Jonathan Toews among those who believe NHLers need to participate in the 2018 Olympic Games.

"If it's not the best in the world ... I feel like we're misrepresenting our sport on a pretty huge scale," Toews said to ESPN's Craig Custance.

The Chicago Blackhawks captain is certainly familiar with the international circuit, having captured two Olympic gold medals in his career - in 2010 and 2014 - alongside myriad other championships for Team Canada.

Related: Players continue to reaffirm desire to be at next year's Olympics

League officials have repeatedly said nothing has changed in regards to the NHL's participation in the Olympics - set to take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea - which means it remains unlikely that Toews and the rest of the league's best will be permitted to make the trip.