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≡ NHL PLAYERS RETURN ≡
After missing the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Winter Games, National Hockey League players will return to the Olympic play at Milan Cortina 2026 under an agreement signed on Wednesday in Zurich (SUI).
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly explained multiple points of the deal with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), International Olympic Committee and the NHL Players’ Association:
● “There were a bunch of issues that are typically dealt with between the NHL, the IIHF and the IOC that needed to be dealt with, and we ultimately got those done. We’re thrilled. It’s all good.”
● “I think we broke new ground a little bit in terms of our commercial rights associated with the Olympics, use of the integrated marks and content capture that we probably haven’t had in the past. I think those are all advances in terms of what we’re doing. We will have the ability to utilize Olympic content in a different and better way than we have in the past.”
● “I know that’s been speculated on by others in the media that it would be some hybrid [on ice size]. No, it’s 200 by 85 [feet]. I think that will be the case going forward as well.”
The agreement also included protocols for player accommodations in the Olympic Village, arrangements for one guest per player, injury insurance, and for the NHL’s role in tournament operations. The NHL will also have options to purchase additional tickets and reserve added accommodations.
As for the future, there was no guarantee of participation at French Alps 2030, but Daly said:
“We have every intention of going to 2030. We expect to be there, but for better or worse that’s a whole different negotiation.”
NHL players first participated in the Winter Games at Nagano 1998 and have played in five Winter Games – 1998-2002-06-10-14 – with Canada winning three times, Sweden once and the Czech Republic once.
The 12 teams to compete in Milan have been confirmed and placed into three pools:
● Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czech Rep., France
● Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
● Group C: United States, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Ice hockey will be played at the new Palaitalia Santa Giulia arena with some preliminary matches at the temporary Milano Rho arena.
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