Overview
- The IIHF has approved a 60m x 26m sheet in Milan (about 196.85 ft x 85.3 ft), more than three feet shorter than the NHL’s 200 ft length and at odds with a July agreement to use NHL specifications.
- Team Canada assistant coach Pete DeBoer publicly noted the surface appears three to four feet shorter than NHL size, and both the NHL and NHLPA say they are looking into the matter.
- Construction delays pushed a December test to Jan. 9–11 at Santagiulia, tightening the timeline ahead of the women’s Feb. 5 opener and the men’s tournament from Feb. 11–22.
- Organizers have acknowledged there is no backup venue, and league representatives who inspected the site in November urged that progress accelerate.
- ESPN reports there are no indications the NHL will withdraw players, though deputy commissioner Bill Daly says NHL participation depends on the rink being completed.