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Kabaddi is not new to India -- its roots can be traced to the epics -- but its latest avatar, professional and televised, has given the sport a new dimension, and a new problem: the club vs country conundrum. For the players, though, it could be the clichéd game changer -- giving them recognition, respect and, above all, cold hard cash.Playing in the national team was difficult. Nobody knew about us, no one came to congratulate us. We won a gold medal, yet we were unknown, says Surender Nada, a part of the national team that won the gold at the South Asian Games in February.Today, he is the captain of Bengaulru Bulls in the Pro-Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 4 and one of the most expensive players with an auction price of Rs 30 lakh.It feels good to be a captain. Kabhi nahi socha tha yahan tak pahuchunga (I never thought Id come this far), he says.With Pro-Kabaddi making a mark on the television audience, the players now find themselves in the midst of a fan following beyond their hometowns.As a child, I remember the way people used to show respect to the kabaddi players in my hometown in Nizampura. They were an inspiration for all. The kind of craze I saw for the game back then helped me see it as my future too, says Mohit Chhillar.Chhillar, 23, known for his defending skills, became the most expensive player in the league when Bengaluru Bulls bid Rs 53 lakh for him this year. But hes unfazed by the success. Im too young to think about profit and loss. I let my father take care of all this, he says.Years ago, Chhillar got rejected, not once but twice, by the Delhi state team. He was then roped into the Rajasthan team and eventually the national team.That was the best time of my life. Desh ke liye khelne ki baat hi alag hoti hai (It is a different thing altogether to play for the country). When we won the gold against Pakistan in the finals of the South Asian Games, I thought I had it all. It was one of the best moments of my life, he says.Echoing a similar feeling, teammate and raider Rohit Kumar says, Its good to be a part of a league like Pro Kabaddi. It has given the game a lot of exposure. People now recognize us because of it. But it wouldnt be right to compare it with the national games. The feeling you get there is totally different, he says.Nada, however, had a different take. While he loved playing for the country, he credits the league for making him what he is.I love playing for the country, but its different and the difficulty level is more over there, he says. We have to push ourselves to the extremes every day because we have the responsibility of a country. Pro Kabaddi, on the other hand, does not come with that kind of pressure. And it has given us the recognition that we couldnt get in the beginning. Very few people knew about the game or the players before this. This has certainly made life easier. If I have to say which one I prefer, I would choose the league.Is there a difference between the amateur and professional games? I dont think there is too much, apart from a few rules, says Chhillar. The main difference is the level of pressure. We dont get second chances at the international level. You play to win or you are out. It is more flexible in the Pro Kabaddi tournament.In the South Asian Games, for example, the fixtures are put together in a round-robin format where each team has to compete with every other before getting through to the medal rounds. In the PKL, the eight teams play each other home and away -- a total of 60 matches.The busy schedule -- PKL pre-season training lasts several months and can be intensive -- leaves the players with little time for their families or friends. Kumar, who was adjudged the most valuable player last season, is pursuing his graduation but rarely finds time to go to college. My entire childhood was spent focusing on kabaddi. To date, whenever my friends tell me about an event in college, I cant help but miss being there, he says.Chhillar, however, has found a family in his team. I dont miss home that much. I talk to them every day. They too wanted me to reach here, after all. Also, my teammates are no less than a family now, he says.The league has allowed several players from other countries to participate, helping the sport create an international platform for itself. But critics say this may cause harm to Indias dominance in the sport. Its great for kabaddi as a sport, but yes, it does make competitions tough for us with countries like Iran now excelling in it, says Nada.The bottom line though is that going pro has given the players far more options. It has evolved from a largely rural and playground sport to one that can hope for a brighter future.Meri toh ab yehi khwahish rahegi ki ek din ye game Olympics tak jaaye aur hum usme gold leke aaye (I would now only hope for a day when this game becomes an Olympic sport and we win a gold there), says Chhillar. Cheap Vancouver Canucks Jerseys . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Wholesale Canucks Jerseys . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. http://www.cheapcanucksjerseys.com/ . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. Cheap Canucks Jerseys China . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. Cheap Canucks Jerseys . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. So, what if the NHL walks away from the Olympics for the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea?USA Hockey and Hockey Canada officials are making contingency plans, combing European rosters for players who might be able to don their nations jerseys and throw down for gold.Youll see some of Team Canadas thinking on display with its entry in the Spengler Cup later this month, which will mostly feature Canadians who are playing in Switzerland. Earlier this fall, GM Sean Burke took Canadians from the Kontinental Hockey League, and Swedish, German and Finnish leagues to the Deutschland Cup tournament.The U.S. situation is a little more fluid.Fewer Americans play in elite leagues in Europe compared to Canadians, and the U.S. doesnt take part in the Spengler Cup and only plays in the Deutschland Cup on odd-numbered years, which makes deciphering a potential roster a little more difficult.Sources familiar with contingency plans told ESPN.com that top American college players could also factor into the discussion, but they would have to commit to remaining in college next season and be given leave to join Team USA during the Olympics.As for American Hockey League players, commissioner Dave Andrews said its still uncertain what kind of access Olympic nations might have to AHL players, but he suspects decisions would be made on a team-by-team basis.That said, given the competitive nature of the NHL, its difficult to imagine top-end AHL players being allowed to leave their teams for three weeks if parent clubs in the NHL thought they might need to call them up.Youll see that we included Mason Raymond and Mike Richards on our Canadian roster, but a year from now is it possible that?Shane Doan and?Jarome Iginla might be playing in their final NHL seasons, could stay in shape and could form a leadership core of a Canadian team? The same thing could occur for potential Team USA captain?Brian Gionta?and?two-time Olympian goalie?Ryan Miller.For fun, lets see what non-NHL rosters would look like for Canada and the U.S. as of today. For arguments sake, we have not included active AHL or NHL players.Team USAGoaliesRyan Zapolski, 30, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Helsinki of the KHL.Cal Petersen, 22, drafted 129th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2013. Plays for Notre Dame.Kyle Hayton, 22, undrafted. Plays for St. Lawrence University.DefenseMatt Gilroy, 32, undrafted. Former Hobey Baker Award winner played in 225 NHL games. Plays for Moscow Spartak of the KHL.Sam Lofquist, 26, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL.Mike Brennan, 30, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Vaasa in Finnish Elite League.Cade Fairchild, 27, drafted 96th overall by St. Louis Blues in 2007. Played in five games with the Blues. Plays for Rogle of the Swedish League.Brian Connelly, 30, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Dornbirn of the Austrian League.Tucker Poolman, 23, drafted 127th by the Winnipeg Jets in 2013. Plays for the University of North Dakota.ForwardRyan Stoa, 29, drafted 34th overall by Colorado Avalanche in 2005. Played in 40 NHL games. Plays for Moscow Spartak of the KHL.Chad Rau, 29, drafted 228th overall by Toronto Maple Leafs in 2005 draft. Played in nine NHL games. Having impressive first KHL season with Kunlun Red Star.Broc Little, 28, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Linkopings of the Sweden League.Tim Stapleton, 34, undrafted. Played 118 NHL games. Plays for Moscow Spartak of the KHL.Bobby Butler, 29, undrafted. Played 130 NHL games. Plays for Zagreb of the KHL.Casey Wellman, 29, undrafted. Played 54 NHL games. Plays for Frolunda of the Swedish League.Drew LeBlanc, 27, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Augsburg of the German Elite League.Travis Turnbull, 30, undrafted, Played three games for the Buffalo Sabres. Son of retired NHLer Perry Turnbull. Plays for Cologne of the German Elite League.Jack Connolly, 27, undrafted, never played in the NHL.dddddddddddd Plays for Rogle of the Swedish League.Colin White, 19, drafted 21st overall by Ottawa Senators in 2015. Plays for Boston College.Clayton Keller, 18, drafted 7th overall by Arizona Coyotes in 2016. Plays for Boston University.Luke Kunin, 19, drafted 15th overall in 2016 by Minnesota Wild. Plays for the University of Wisconsin.Anders Bjork, 20, drafted 146th overall by Boston Bruins in 2014. Plays for Notre Dame.Brock Boeser, 19, drafted 23rd overall in 2015 by Vancouver Canucks. Plays for the University of North Dakota.Team CanadaGoaltendersBen Scrivens, 30, undrafted. Played 144 NHL games. Playing for Minsk in the KHL.Danny Taylor, 30, drafted 221st overall by Los Angeles Kings in 2004. Played in 2 NHL games. Playing for Novosibirsk of the KHL.Barry Brust, 33, drafted 73rd overall by Minnesota Wild in 2002. Played in 11 NHL games. Playing for Bratislava of the KHL.DefenseChris Lee, 36, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Having a standout season for Magnitogorsk of the KHL.Marc-Andre Gragnani, 29, drafted 87th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2005, played in 78 NHL games. Plays for Minsk of the KHL.Kevin Dallman, 35, undrafted. Played 154 games with Boston, St. Louis and Los Angeles. Plays for Astana in the KHL.Chay Genoway, 29, undrafted. Played 1 game with Minnesota. Playing for Helsinki of the KHL.Marc-Andre Bergeron, 36, played 490 NHL games. Played last season for Zurich of the Swiss Elite League.Mat Robinson, 30, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Moscow Dynamo in the KHL.Cam Barker, 30, third overall pick by Chicago Blackhawks in 2004. Played in 310 NHL games. Plays for Astana of the KHL.Geoff Kinrade, 31, undrafted. Played in one game for Tampa. Plays for Nizhnekamsk in the KHL.Jonathan Sigalet, 30, drafted 100th overall by Boston Bruins in 2005. Played in one game for the Bruins. Plays for Frolunda in the Swedish League.ForwardsMike Richards, 31, drafted 24th overall by Philadelphia Flyers in 2003. Played 749 NHL games and won two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings, in 2012 and 2014. Last played with Washington Capitals, in 2016.Mason Raymond, 31, drafted 51st overall by Vancouver Canucks in 2005. Played in 546 NHL games including a trip to the 2011 Stanley Cup finals with Vancouver. Started season with the Anaheim Ducks but is no longer on the active roster.Derek Roy, 33, drafted 32nd overall by Buffalo in 2001. Played in 739 NHL games. Plays for Chelyabinsk of the KHL.Matt Ellison, 32, drafted 128th overall by Chicago in 2002. Played in 43 NHL games. Plays for Minsk of the KHL.Andrew Ebbett, 33, undrafted, played in 224 games with Anaheim, Chicago, Minnesota, Phoenix, Vancouver and Pittsburgh. Plays for Bern of the Swiss Elite League.Max Talbot, 32, drafted 234th overall in 2002 by Pittsburgh Penguins. Played 704 NHL games and scored Stanley Cup-clinching goal for Penguins in Game 7 of 2009 Stanley Cup finals. Plays for Yaroslavl of the KHL.Gilbert Brule, 29, drafted sixth overall by Columbus Blue Jackets in 2005. Played in 299 NHL games. Plays for Nizhnekamsk in the KHL.Rob Klinkhammer, 30, undrafted, played 193 games for Chicago, Ottawa, Phoenix/Arizona, Pittsburgh, Edmonton. Plays for Minsk of the KHL.Daniel Paille, 30, drafted 20th overall in 2002 by the Buffalo Sabres. Played 582 NHL games and won a Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011. Plays for Brynas of the Swedish League.Alexandre Lavoie, 24, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Bofors in Swedens second-tier league.Dominic Forget, 35, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Chaux-de-Fonds in the Swiss B league.Brent Kelly, 35, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Langenthal in the Swiss B league.Dion Knelsen, 27, undrafted, never played in the NHL. Plays for Rapperswil-Jona in the Swiss B league. ' ' '