NHL Players Set to Return to Winter Olympics in 2026 After Absence Since 2014

In a significant development, the National Hockey League (NHL) has officially announced its participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, marking the league’s return to the Games for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The decision comes after the NHL faced challenges related to costs and the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the absence of its players in the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Key Points:

• League Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed the NHL’s involvement in the 2026 Olympics during a press conference in Toronto on Friday. Additionally, he revealed that the league plans to participate in the 2030 Olympics, slated to be held in the French Alps.

• The decision signals the end of a prolonged hiatus for the North American league, which had opted not to allow its players to participate in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea due to the disruption it would cause to the regular season.
• The NHL had the option for player participation in the 2022 and 2026 Olympics as per the collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players Association in 2020. However, the league withdrew from the 2022 Beijing Games due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the regular season.
• USA Hockey celebrated the announcement with a video showcasing key moments of NHL players in past Olympic games, with T.J. Oshie’s memorable shootout performance lifting Team USA over Russia in 2014.
• A new agreement between the NHL, the NHL Players’ Association, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and the International Olympics Committee (IOC) stipulates that the IIHF and other organizing committees will cover NHL players’ insurance and travel costs during the Games.

Surprising Development:

In addition to the Olympic news, the NHL also revealed plans to host the “4 Nations Face-Off” next February—an in-season tournament featuring NHL players from the U.S., Canada, Finland, or Sweden.

Background:

Historically considered the top hockey league globally, the NHL had consistently allowed its players to participate in five consecutive Olympics from 1998 to 2014. However, disagreements over costs arose, leading to the NHL’s withdrawal in 2018 and 2022. The new agreement addresses concerns over insurance and travel costs, allowing the league’s re-entry into the Olympic arena.

Noteworthy Fact:

The U.S. men’s hockey team has won a total of 11 medals, including two golds in 1980 and 1960. Their most recent medal was a silver in 2010.

Side Note:

Looking ahead, the Winter Olympics are anticipated to return to the U.S. in 2034, with Salt Lake City, Utah, identified as a “preferred host” by the International Olympic Committee.