The 2026 Olympic Games are on the mind of many women's hockey players. The tournament will be the first Olympics in the PWHL era, and the event, which holds significant meaning to players and national governing bodies, is already affecting player flow to and from the PWHL.
Moving from the PWHL this season, Czechia's Klara Peslarova (Brynas) and Noemi Neubauerova (EV Zug) both returned to Europe to play bigger minutes leading into the Milano Cortina Olympics. Neither wanted to remain buried, and neither could afford another season playing limited minutes when their ability dictates they should have gotten more.
Noora Tulus of Finland has also been hoping to return to Europe, but is waiting on a final decision from the PWHL regarding whether or not Tulus will be permitted to walk away from her two-year contract with the New York Sirens that runs through this season.
The Olympic Games have also kept other players in Europe like Viivi Vainikka, Elisa Holopainen, Petra Nieminen, Lara Stalder, and others. When the Olympics pass, there will be a sigificantly increased chance these players will declare for the 2026 PWHL Draft with four more years ahead before the 2030 Games.
Listen to Chris Sinclair, Cee Benwell, and Ian Kennedy discuss the full topic above.