NHL players will compete in the Winter Olympics again in 2026 and 2030

The landscape of Olympic hockey is set to undergo a significant change, as NHL players are poised to make their return to the Winter Games for the first time since 2014. This monumental decision was officially announced on a Friday, following an agreement among key stakeholders: the NHL, the NHL Players’ Association, and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The accord paves the way for NHL players to participate not only in the upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Games but also in the subsequent 2030 Winter Games, with the possibility of the latter being hosted by France under advanced discussions by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In a press release, it was stated that the NHL, NHLPA, and IIHF have outlined and agreed upon the major principles regarding players’ participation, with further details expected to be finalized in the coming months. This development marks a significant shift from the previous two Winter Olympics, where the NHL opted not to send its players, raising concerns about player injuries, marketing limitations due to sponsorship rules, and the associated travel costs.

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The journey towards NHL players participating in the Olympics began to take shape in 2020 when the NHL and the NHLPA announced a new collective bargaining agreement, responding to the players’ desire for Olympic inclusion in 2022 and 2026. However, final agreements among the NHL, IOC, and IIHF were still required to solidify the players’ return to the Olympic stage.

Despite the initial commitment, the path to Olympic participation faced a hiccup leading up to the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Approximately six weeks before the Opening Ceremony, the NHL reversed its decision, citing the need for an Olympic break to compensate for 50 canceled regular-season games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2018 PyeongChang Olympics also witnessed the absence of NHL players, as the league, NHLPA, IIHF, and IOC failed to reach an agreement. Historically, the NHL has grappled with concerns surrounding Olympic participation, and the league’s reluctance was reflected in the composition of the U.S. rosters for the last two Olympics, consisting mainly of collegians, minor leaguers, and players from European leagues.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Winter Games, eight of the 12 Olympic teams have already qualified, including host Italy, along with Canada, Finland, the U.S., Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and Czechia. Notably, Russia and Belarus have been banned from IIHF competitions since the invasion of Ukraine. As of late October, the IIHF was considering Russia’s men’s hockey team’s eligibility for the 2026 Winter Olympics, pending the lifting of the ban.

The return of NHL players to the Olympic stage is expected to bring a new level of competitiveness, with many of the league’s top players yet to experience the pinnacle of international hockey due to their absence in 2018 and 2022. Prominent veterans, such as two-time gold medalist Sidney Crosby of Canada and Russian star Alex Ovechkin, are eager to embrace the opportunity. Crosby expressed his enthusiasm for the prospect of playing in a third Olympics, emphasizing the unique and earned nature of representing one’s country on the grand stage.

The potential participation of Crosby and Ovechkin in the 2026 Games adds intriguing narratives to their storied careers. Crosby, notably left off the Canadian roster in 2006 when Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics, could come full circle by participating in 2026 at the age of 38. If selected, Crosby would join a select group of older Canadian men to play Olympic hockey in the NHL participation era.

On the other hand, Ovechkin, set to be 40 years old in 2026, would become the second-oldest man from Russia to play Olympic hockey, following Igor Larionov in 2002. The inclusion of these seasoned players adds a layer of experience to their respective national teams, contributing to the overall appeal of the competition.

As the final details of the agreement are ironed out in the coming months, the prospect of NHL players returning to the Olympic stage has ignited excitement among hockey enthusiasts worldwide. The blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents promises to deliver a captivating spectacle, showcasing the best of international hockey in the years to come.