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The NHL players are allowed to play in 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games after an appointment was reached on Wednesday.
NHL, NHLPA, International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee confirmed that NHL players will be allowed, which was negotiated originally last year.
This confirmation will now allow NHL players to participate for their countries in the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
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Brandon Hagel from Team Canada responds after a match with Matthew Tkachuk from the United States (not in photo) in the first period of a 4 Nations Face-off game in Bell Center 15 February 2025, in Montreal, Quebec. (Andrea Cardin/4nfo/World Cup of Hockey Via Getty Images)
“Olympic participation will show NHL players for skill and talent on an international stage. We are proud to cooperate with IIHF, NHLPA and IOC to bring the best hockey players in the world to the Olympics and make this happen in a way that benefits the game globally,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
Marty Walsh, CEO of NHLPA, added, “Best-in-best international tournaments such as the Olympics allow for extraordinary moments for our players and fans. The return to the Olympics marks a monumental moment for hockey, and we thank our partners-NHL, IOC and IIHF-to this collaboration process.
“The skill and passion shown in Milan Cortina will build the tension over the 4 nations facial off and continue our playing global growth.”
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Some may have been in doubt about a deal that went through because it took so long to put pens on paper.
But this agreement also allows the NHL player’s participation in the 2030 matches in the French Alps.
Canada’s Brandon Hagel, on the left, fights for the US Matthew Tkachuk in the first period of a 4 Nations Face-off game in Montreal 15 February 2025. (Graham Hughes // The Canadian press via AP)
Men’s Hockey Tournament in 2026 begins February 11 and runs through February 22.
Hockey fans got a taste of what was going to come in Milan Cortina under 4 Nations Face-off, containing NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States.
There was special excitement between Canada and the United States, partly driven by President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s rift from the ice. Fans lived in the national hymns of the countries during games. On the ice, a fight broke out in Montreal before the United States defeated Canada.
Team USA Forward Matthew Tkachuk, Right, celebrates with defender Zach Werenski after his goal against Finland in the third period in a 4 Nations Face-off game in Bell Center 13 February 2025. (David Kirouac/Imag images)
But when the 4 Nations Face-off final reached TD Garden in Boston, it was Canada who got an overtime victory.
There will be 12 participating countries in next year’s Hockey Tournament: Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, France, Czech Republic, Canada, USA, Latvia, Germany and Denmark.
