Overview
- On July 2 in Switzerland, the NHL, NHLPA, IIHF and IOC signed a formal accord confirming NHL player participation in Milan-Cortina 2026 and Paris-area 2030 Winter Games.
- The deal ends a 12-year Olympic absence for NHL talent following payment disputes in 2018 and pandemic disruptions in 2022.
- Twelve nations announced six-player preliminary rosters on June 16, featuring stars like Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk.
- Men's Olympic hockey is scheduled to run from February 11 to 22, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
- IIHF officials and NHLPA leaders say the return of best-on-best competition will boost global interest and build on momentum from the February 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.