It was announced on Friday, Feb. 2 that NHL players will be able to play in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
The last time NHL players were allowed to participate in the Olympics was back in 2014.
When the time came around for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, the NHL, NHLPA, IIHF and IOC were not able to come to an agreement. In the past, the NHL had concerns about players participating in the NHL, such as injury issues and marketing issues because of the sponsorships that the Olympics have.
Back in 2020, the NHL and NHLPA came to a collective agreement that players would be able to play in 2022 and 2026, but there wasn’t an agreement quite yet among the NHL, IIHF and IOC.
Up until six weeks before the 2022 Winter Olympics, NHL players were planning to participate, but a reversal occurred. The NHL wanted the Olympics to break back on the 50 games canceled from the regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After Gary Bettman made this announcement on Thursday, fans across the league were excited to see their favorite players internationally, and so were the NHL players themselves.
Some notable names from the last time they played in the Olympics include the Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, who played in three Olympic games with his Russian team, playing fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Another player is the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, who was a two-time gold medalist in the Olympics.
I feel like it’s important for hockey as we continue to try to grow the game internationally and at home. I think it’s a great thing. It’s an exciting schedule, something that people can look forward to.
Connor McDavid, Professional Canadian Ice Hockey Player for the Edmonton Oilers
After Bettman’s announcement, Crosby said he’d love to participate in 2026 and further noted, “It’s something you have to earn, though. It’s not something that’s given to you. If you’re representing your country, then you’ve got to earn it.”
If Ovechkin and Crosby played in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, the Penguins star would be 38 years old and Ovechkin would be 40, making him the second-oldest player to participate in the games after fellow Russian player, Igor Larionov.
Another remarkable player, Connor McDavid, has never been able to play in the Winter Olympics as he was only 17 when players were still allowed, making him too young.
Now, McDavid has an opportunity to play hockey internationally twice in a matter of two years.
The NHL announced on Friday at the NHL All-Star Games that in 2025, instead of their annual NHL All-Star Game, they will hold international games. These players will come from four countries, the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden, and compete in games from Feb. 12 through F. 20.
The players from these nationals will face off in Boston and Montreal.
After the announcement, McDavid said, “I feel like it’s important for hockey as we continue to try to grow the game internationally and at home. I think it’s a great thing. It’s an exciting schedule, something that people can look forward to.” He further noted how he has been “vocal” about this issue for quite a while now.
2025 and 2026 are set to be an exciting few years for NHL fans. With these international games so close to us in Boston, it’s a perfect opportunity to see our favorite players represent their home country and showcase their all-star skills.