NHL Players Return to Olympic Ice After a 12‑Year Hiatus

NHL’s Return to the Winter Games: A Tale of Perseverance and Change

The NHL finally sent its athletes back to the Winter Games in Milan Cortina, after skipping 2018 and withdrawing from 2022 due to COVID‑19. All 32 teams now have a representative, sparking fresh excitement.

Challenges faced:

• Construction delays and concerns over ice quality at Santagiulia Arena and a secondary venue in Rho.
• NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly warned players could be left out if safety wasn’t guaranteed.
• Trial sessions in January showed some wear but were acceptable for world‑class competition.

Team USA’s Mission

• No Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
• Current stars missed Olympic opportunities during NHL’s absence.
• They aim to challenge Canada, the dominant force with NHL talent.

Canada’s Dominance

• Stars like Sidney Crosby highlight the weight of expectation.
• “You have to play hard and trust the process,” Crosby said, underscoring a culture built around winning.

Competition Format

• Twelve nations in three groups.
• Round‑robin stage → quarterfinals → single‑match qualification for others.
• Knockout structure from the quarterfinals, culminating on February 22.

With new players and renewed enthusiasm, the Olympic hockey scene promises a thrilling showdown that could reshape expectations and showcase the NHL’s resilience.