The Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), NHL and NHL Gamers’ Affiliation finalized an settlement that confirms NHL participant participation within the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. It marks the primary time that NHL gamers will compete in an Olympic setting because the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
The settlement additionally opened the door for NHL gamers to probably compete within the 2030 Winter Olympics, which can happen within the French Alps.
“The IOC welcomes the settlement between the Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the Nationwide Hockey League (NHL), and the Nationwide Hockey League Gamers’ Affiliation (NHLPA),” IOC president Kirsty Coventry stated in an announcement. “This settlement will result in the participation of all the most effective Ice Hockey gamers of the world within the Olympic Winter Video games Milano Cortina 2026 and the Olympic Winter Video games 2030. All of the events who had been concerned in coming to this settlement must be recommended for this glorious consequence.”
It is a landmark settlement that permits NHL gamers to compete on a world stage for the primary time in over a decade. Let’s dive extra into why that is such a historic announcement for the game.
NHL gamers have not competed since 2014
NHL gamers final participated within the Winter Olympics in 2014 when Canada landed atop the rostrum because the gold medal winners. That staff boasted nice NHL gamers similar to Sidney Crosby, Duncan Keith, Roberto Luongo, Corey Perry and Jonathan Toews with nearly all of the roster having since retired.
Regardless of the likes of Crosby, Perry and Toews nonetheless enjoying, lots of the NHL’s prime stars have but to swimsuit up in an Olympic setting. Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid, Toronto Maple Leafs standout Auston Matthews and Colorado Avalanche ahead Nathan MacKinnon have by no means competed within the Winter Olympics regardless of being within the league for a number of seasons apiece.
It definitely could have accomplished wonders to develop the NHL much more if gamers of that caliber had been participating within the Winter Olympics, however now even informal followers will get a chance to see them on an enormous stage.
With NHL gamers taking a decade-long hiatus from collaborating within the Olympics, the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off proved to be fairly a showcase. It was an opportunity for the league’s prime expertise to placed on the sweater of their residence nation and earn bragging proper over the remainder of the hockey world.
It is protected to say that the primary installment of the 4 Nations Face-Off did not disappoint even with simply Canada, Finland, Sweden and america being represented. The primary matchup between america and Canada featured three fights within the opening 9 seconds of the competition with Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk tussling with the likes of Sam Bennett and Brandon Hagel. It was a recreation that the People ended up coming away with a 3-1 win and the opening sequence appeared to set the stage.
As many predicted, america and Canada met once more within the Championship Sport simply 5 days later. The groups traded targets over the opening two intervals earlier than being compelled to have the sport determined in extra time. That was when Connor McDavid discovered the again of the web to raise the Canadians to a 3-2 extra time win in dramatic trend.
Even informal followers bought misplaced within the pageantry of the 4 Nations Face-Off. It was an eight-day meeting of the game’s prime expertise and the hockey world could not get sufficient of the heart-pounding motion. Contemplating how profitable the match was, the identical degree of curiosity ought to exist in Milan subsequent yr.
United States has an opportunity to win a gold medal for the primary time since 1980
One of the vital iconic moments in American sports activities historical past is the “Miracle on Ice” staff that received a gold medal within the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid. America had been the final word underdogs after the Soviet Union had received the gold medal in 5 of the earlier six Winter Video games coming into the 1980 Olympics.
The deck was definitely stacked in opposition to america. The Soviet Union boasted skilled gamers that had important expertise enjoying collectively on the worldwide degree. In the meantime, the American staff consisted of principally beginner gamers with simply 4 gamers having minor league expertise in america. Nevertheless, america — led by legendary coach Herb Brooks — defeated the Soviet Union 4-3 within the medal spherical to advance regardless of trailing 3-2 getting into the third interval. Mike Eruzione scored the game-winning purpose with 10 minutes remaining within the remaining interval. America went on to defeat Finland 4-2 thanks to a few third interval targets and received the gold medal within the course of.
Because the iconic “Miracle on Ice” staff, america hasn’t received a gold medal on the Winter Olympics. Actually, the People have solely landed on the rostrum on two events since attaining greatness at Lake Placid. America received a silver medal within the 2002 Winter Olympics (Salt Lake Metropolis) and 2010 Winter Olympics (Vancouver).
Whereas the roster will not be finalized till nearer to the opening ceremonies, this figures to be one of the crucial proficient and deep teams that the People have ever had. America definitely can have an opportunity at getting some revenge in opposition to Canada and the remainder of the world in 2026.
