You might have heard by now that the fuddy-duddies who run the International Olympic Committee have told Hockey Canada that players can't wear the iconic Maple Leaf jerseys during the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver.

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Carey Price.

Photograph by : Getty Images

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It seems there's an IOC rule stating national federations can't wear uniforms that are used as marketing tools. The Canada logo certainly qualifies, because Hockey Canada raises oodles of cash to support its minor hockey programs by selling jerseys, T-shirts and other products with it.

In each of the three previous Games, the Canadian Olympic Committee has asked for and received an exemption for the jersey, but they decided not to pursue it this time around. That's because the COC is planning to grab a piece of the action by marketing any new design. Mothballing the jersey - it can still be used when they revive the World Cup of Hockey and for other events - has stirred some protest.

Canadiens goaltender Carey Price called the decision "outlandish" and the Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky, told the Calgary Sun: "Kids grow up dreaming of wearing that jersey, putting that jersey on, wearing that logo. So I hope there's a way they can figure out (how) to make it work, so Canada and the other teams get to wear their logos. It's a tradition our country's very proud of and it would be a shame that they're not allowed to wear that jersey."

I hope they can reach a compromise but, if they don't, I'd like to suggest hockey fans across Canada show the COC what they think of this power play by boycotting the new design.

Komisarek backed Obama: Canadiens defenceman Mike Komisarek was coy Monday when he was asked about his choice in the U.S. presidential election, but now it can be told: He was behind President-elect Barack Obama all the way.

"I was happy to see that Obama pulled through," Komisarek said yesterday. "I think he's the right person moving forward in a new direction. He's going to have some tough decisions and I don't know if anyone wants to be in his shoes, but I think he's more than capable."

When asked if he was worried about Obama raising his taxes, Komisarek replied: "No, I'm pretty sure that's going to happen. I don't know if the taxes are going to be as high as here in Quebec, but they're definitely going to be higher. But I think it's a good change in the U.S. and the overall worldwide perception of Americans is going to be better with Obama in there."

Weekes's profile grows: Until New Jersey Devils goaltender Marty Brodeur suffered a serious elbow injury last week, Kevin Weekes was a 33-year-old journeyman goalie who would have been lucky to match the nine games he played last season.

Now, Weekes is not only the starter in Jersey, but he's the focal point of a campaign to try to attract more Newark residents to Devils games. Weekes is one of three black players on the Devils roster, but it will be hard to sell the game in downtown Newark, an area where a) there is little interest in the game, b) the economy doesn't lend itself to fans forking out $60-70 for a ticket and c) the black Devils have little in common with Newark's urban blacks. Weekes is a city guy from Toronto and has worked in a youth hockey program in Harlem, but Bryce Salvador is from Brandon, Man., while the third black, Johnny Oduya, was born and raised in Stockholm.

phickey@thegazette.canwest.com