 The tournament was the NHL 's response to the defection of players to the WHA . Bobby Hull was barred from playing , as was any other player who signed a contract with the rival league , which was a heavily criticized move . Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau sent a telegram to NHL president Clarence Campbell , expressing his " intense interest which I share with millions of Canadians ... that Canada should be represented by its best hockey players , including Bobby Hull " . Echoing the feelings of the public , Hull called the decision " crazy " , and stated that " I 'm a Canadian and I want to play for my country . I don 't know why the NHL has to be so petty over this . I want to do this for Canada . " The NHL did not relent . 
