Hockey fans have long awaited for the time where NHL players would return to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2014, and they are poised to do so in the upcoming 2026 showcase in Italy. But a hiccup has arisen over in Europe that could throw a wrench in the NHL’s plans this winter.
According to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, the NHL has expressed concern over the size of the rink that is being built for the Olympics in Milan, Italy. According to reports from the Athletic, the ice sheet is being built and was approved by the IIHF is 196.85-feet by 85.3-feet, which is over three feet shorter than a standard 200-by-85 NHL arena.
It isn’t a huge difference, but the agreement between the NHL, NHLPA, and the IIHF (global governing body for international hockey) stated that the rink must be built to exact NHL dimensions in order for the NHL to allow their players to participate.
While there aren’t currently any reports that the NHL will take it’s players out of the tournament, it has become a significant concern for the league, so much so that they sent a contingency out to Milan to check on the progress of the project in November.
The rink hasn’t been completed as of Dec. 4, and the Olympics begin on Feb. 5, so concern is rising on multiple fronts.
Smaller Rink Size Not A Safety Concern For NHL
The concerns arising on the NHL side are more about the breach in the agreement made for NHL players to return to the Olympics than they are about the actual safety of the tournament.
According to one unnamed NHL player who has already been named to an Olympic team, the shorter ice won’t affect the game too much from his perspective:
“With the talent level there’s already going to be no time and space,” the player said. “The games are going to be incredible no matter what. Just give us a sheet of ice we’ll be good.”
Still, three feet will make a difference, no matter how small that difference is, especially considering the game speed will be quicker with the best players in the world going at it.
NHL Players Set to Return to Olympics For First Time Since 2014
The 2026 Olympics in Milan will be the first time since 2014 where NHL players have participated, and only the sixth time in Olympic history. NHL players first competed in 1998, which was followed with participation in the next four tournaments in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014.
The NHL pulled out of the 2018 and 2022 Olympics.
Some highlights from the five Olympics’ with NHLers include Sidney Crosby’s golden goal over the United States to win the gold medal for Canada in 2010, the Czech Republic winning in 1998 led by legends Dominik Hasek and Jaromir Jagr, and TJ Oshie’s shootout heroics for the United States in Sochi in 2014.
Hockey fans got a taste of international competition between NHL players last year during the 4 Nations Face-Off, where Canada overcame the United States in the finals to win the first iteration of the tournament.
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