NHL Officially Backs Out of 2022 Winter Olympic Games

The 2022 Beijing Olympics appeared to be doomed from the start.

From political concerns to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision for the NHL to commit to the Winter Olympics in China always seemed questionable. 

Now, the NHL and the NHLPA have officially pulled players from the event, with non-NHLers expected to make up tournament rosters as they did back in 2018.

The NHL originally had until Jan. 10 to pull out of the tournament, but elected to do so early. The news comes amidst an ever-growing list of postponements of games around the league and shortly after the league cancelled all cross-border competition until at least Dec. 23.

Rescheduled dates for NHL games that were postponed will be updated later on, but the previously scheduled Olympic break will provide opportunities for teams to get games in.

Rosters for the 12 Olympic teams will be announced in 2022. Russia beat Germany for the 2018 tournament, one that saw a multitude of teams showing muscle in a battle for gold.