US Edition
NHL Returns to Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina After Controversial Buildup
NHL players return after a 12-year Olympic absence, with participation ensured by NHLPA contract terms and resolved key issues like insurance and travel, enhancing the tournament's competitive level.
- On Wednesday, the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic men's ice hockey tournament opens with NHL players participating for the first time since 2014, after the NHL announced in February 2024 it would send players.
- Decades of disputes between the NHL and players led to negotiations, with the NHLPA's 2020 collective bargaining agreement including Olympic participation language, and Marty Walsh making a return to the Olympics a priority.
- Despite high-profile names, NHL stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov, and Kirill Kaprizov are missing, and Russia and Belarus remain banned from IIHF events.
- Team USA has iced a roster that can rival Canada's depth, while Canada added Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson to address goaltending and both could meet for gold.
- That absence influences the tournament's composition, as Russia and Belarus have been banned from IIHF events since February 2022, affecting competition and staging of the World Cup of Hockey.
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41 Articles
Herald and News
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These Los Angeles Kings are in the Milan Cortina Olympics hockey competition
Five Los Angeles Kings will be part of the historic moment at the Milan Cortina Olympics when NHL players return to the competition for the first time in 12 years. Men’s hockey opened play Wednesday with Finland taking on Slovakia and Sweden facing off against hosts Italy. The United States men’s team opens play Wednesday against Latvia. The gold medal...
Krem2 News
NHL players return to the Winter Games after 12-year absence
Players from the NHL are participating in the Winter Games for the first time in 12 years, ending a long wait for hockey stars from all over the world. (AP Photo)
The Milan and Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue on February 11. The 5th day of competition is on the agenda. Follow the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan minute by minute.
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