Zurich – The NHL, NHLPA and international officials on Wednesday completed a transaction agreed long ago to send players to the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
The League, Union, International Ice Hockey Federation and International Olympic Committee have confirmed the participation of NHL players in the Olympic Games for the first time since 2014. The group negotiated the contract and first announced it last year.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is excited to bring league players back to the world’s finest international stage.
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“Olympic participation will showcase the skills and talents of NHL players on the international stage. We are proud to work with IIHF, NHLPA and the IOC to bring the world’s best hockey players to the Olympics and do this in a way that benefits the game around the world,” Bettman said.
“Newest international tournaments like the Olympics offer an opportunity for both players and fans to create extraordinary moments,” Marty Walsh, executive director of the NHL Players Association, added in a statement. “Returning to the Olympics marks a monumental moment for hockey and we would like to thank our partners (NHL, IOC, IIHF) for this collaborative process. The skills and passion on display at Milan Cortina will build the adaptation of the Four Nations and continue the game’s global growth.”
IIHF President Luc Tardif calls it “a huge step forward for our sport.”
The final touch took time to grasp it after officials claimed for months without concern about the lack of signed documents. The agreement opens the door for continued participation in the NHL in 2030. This was agreed in February 2024.
Last month, 12 participating countries announced their first six athletes on the Olympic roster. The 2026 Game Men’s Hockey Tournament is scheduled to take place from February 11th to 22nd.
This report uses information from the Associated Press.
