Overview
- The IIHF confirmed both Milan rinks will be 60.0 m x 26.0 m (approximately 196.85 ft x 85.3 ft), more than three feet shorter than the NHL’s 200-foot length.
- NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said players will not take part if the surface is judged unsafe, calling recent updates mostly positive but stressing safety as the deciding factor.
- The NHL has sent ice experts and technicians to assist on site and will be present for a Jan. 9–11 test event at the primary venue.
- Construction delays forced the December test to be scrapped and the Division 1B World Junior tournament to be moved from Santagiulia to an alternate site.
- Organizers and the IIHF maintain the dimensions are within regulations and consistent with Beijing 2022 and recent Global Series games, though NHL and NHLPA officials said they were surprised after a summer agreement specified NHL-sized ice.