The NHL includes members from over 20 countries, so they don't really have any specific country advantage.
of course you at least need to be 16.
Yes, by both men's and women's teams.
they don't get paid to play in the olympics. it is a privalege to play
NBA players first Olympics was the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona and NHL players first Olympics was the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano.
no
Players usually going from juniors either move to the pros or they go on to play college
In most cases you have to be selected by the National team GM, which means you have to play good enough to belong to top players of your country.
yes
yes, hockey players do play with a hard ball. It is smooth depending on the brand e.g - kookaburra
Then why would it be called "College BOYS hockey"?
nothing...they play naked
Yep.
Yes. At the Winter Games, almost all of the players participating in men's ice hockey play in a professional league somewhere around the world. Same with men's basketball and football at the Summer Games. Many of the tennis players that participate at the Summer Olympics are professionals.
Some hockey teams might have better hockey areas to play on and have a better chance to win. Some people might not know how to play hockey and that is why some teams are lacking hockey players.