The National Hockey League players will participate in the Winter Olympics in 2026 for the first time in 12 years.
Representatives of the NHL, Players Association and International Ice Hockey Federation in the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Switzerland on Wednesday carried out an agreement by confirming the players’ participation in the next winter in Italy.
The agreement also included NHL players in the 2030 Winter Games in France.
IIHF president Luke Tardiff said, “This is a tremendous day for international ice hockey and fans around the world.” “In the initiative of IIHF, we have worked closely with NHL and NHLPA, which is in close cooperation with the IOC and Milano Cortina Organizing Committee to create this reality. Bringing back the world’s best players in the Olympic Games in 2026 is a big step for our game.”
NHL players last participated in the Olympics in 2014, Russia. Four years later, NHL and IOC could not agree on who would pay for the 2018 Olympics in South Korea and other agreements.
The epidemic related issues excluded the NHL players from the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
It is assumed that NHL players will participate in the 2026 games. On 16 June, Milano Cortina 2026 nominated the first six initial players for their national roster. Most of them are NHL players.
The United States’s initial contingent includes Jack Echell (Vegas Golden Nights), Quin Hughs (Vancouver Canx), Auston Mathews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Charlie McAewoy (Boston Bruins), Brady Takchuk (Otawa Sainters) and Florida Panchats.
NHL Players Association Executive Director Marti Walsh said, “Best–out-serve international tournaments like Olympics provide an opportunity for our players and fans to create extraordinary moments.” “Return to the Olympics marks a monopolistic moment for hockey and we thank NHL, IOC and IIHF for this collaborative process.
The men’s hockey competition at the 2026 Olympics runs from 11-22 February.
-Bield level media
