After a decade without, NHL players will once again be allowed to compete at the Olympics.

In a joint statement, the NHL, NHLPA and IIHF announced that they have "outlined and agreed to the major principles related to players’ participation" for the 2026 and 2030 Olympic Winter Games.

While final details still need to be worked out, it certainly sounds like its practically a done deal.

Bettman also clarified in his presser that the Olympic games will be played on an NHL-sized rink, that the IIHF will be responsible for all costs involved with travel, insurance, etc. 

“The international composition of National Hockey League rosters is unparalleled, and NHL Players take great pride in representing their countries," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in a press release. "We are pleased that today, after intense collaborative efforts with the NHL Players’ Association and the International Ice Hockey Federation, we can formally announce that NHL Players will participate in both the 2026 and 2030 Olympic hockey tournaments.”

This will mark the first time the NHL has allowed its players to go since 2014 in Sochi, Russia. 

The 2026 games will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy and will mark just the sixth time ever that NHL players will participate.

The 2030 games will be held in Nice, France.

Here is the official press release from the NHL:

NEW YORK/TORONTO (Feb. 2, 2024) – The National Hockey League (NHL), National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) today jointly announced plans for NHL Players to participate in the 2026 and 2030 Olympic Winter Games.

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 are scheduled to be held Feb. 6-22, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. It will mark the first time NHL Players compete on the Olympic stage since 2014, and sixth time overall (1998 – Nagano, Japan; 2002 – Salt Lake City, United States; 2006 – Turin, Italy; 2010 – Vancouver, Canada; 2014 – Sochi, Russia). The host for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games is expected to be chosen later this year by the International Olympic Committee.

The NHL, NHLPA and IIHF have outlined and agreed to the major principles related to the Players’ participation, with details to be finalized over the coming months. Today’s announcements were made at a news conference from the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend in Toronto, Canada, attended by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh, and IIHF President Luc Tardif.

Quotes:

“The international composition of National Hockey League rosters is unparalleled, and NHL Players take great pride in representing their countries. We are pleased that today, after intense collaborative efforts with the NHL Players’ Association and the International Ice Hockey Federation, we can formally announce that NHL Players will participate in both the 2026 and 2030 Olympic hockey tournaments.”

–NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman

“For years, the players have embraced the opportunity to compete for Olympic gold, and we are excited that today’s announcement makes it a certainty for our members in the 2026 and 2030 Olympic Winter Games. We also know that hockey fans worldwide have long been anticipating the next best-on-best international competition, and now they can finally see some of their favourite players represent their countries and line up together.”

–NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh

“This decision represents a turning point for Ice Hockey at the global level and marks the great return of the NHL Players to the Olympic Games. The IIHF was able to gather all related stakeholders at the same table to find a long-lasting and sustainable consensus, which is the backbone of what we intend to do as Sports Organizations. As prime hockey fans, the IIHF is obviously thrilled and excited about this unprecedented agreement, we are already looking forward to witnessing the Best of Ice Hockey at these upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Milano and in 2030.”

–IIHF President Luc Tardif

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