NHL Players Return to Olympic Ice After a 12‑Year Hiatus

The NHL’s comeback to the Winter Games in Milan Cortina is a story of perseverance and change. After skipping the 2018 Olympics to avoid disrupting its season, and withdrawing from the 2022 event because of COVID‑19, the league finally decided to send its athletes back. Now every one of the 32 teams has a representative, bringing a fresh wave of excitement to the tournament. The path back was not easy. Construction setbacks and worries about the ice quality at the Santagiulia Arena and a secondary venue in Rho threatened to derail the plan. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly even warned that players would be left out if safety could not be guaranteed. The league’s own specialists conducted trial sessions in January, and although the surface showed some wear, it proved acceptable for world‑class competition.Team USA is entering the Games with a unique mix of hope and pressure. The country has not claimed Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice, ” and many current stars never had a chance to play in the Olympics during the NHL’s absence. They see themselves as the main challengers to Canada, which has dominated in recent years with NHL talent on its roster. Canada’s lineup remains formidable. Stars like Sidney Crosby emphasize the weight of expectation that comes with representing the nation. “You have to play hard and trust the process, ” Crosby said, highlighting how the team’s culture is built around winning. The competition format involves twelve nations split into three groups. After a round‑robin stage, the top teams move to quarterfinals, while others fight for spots in a single‑match qualification. The tournament follows a knockout structure from the quarterfinals onward, culminating in the final on February 22. With new players and renewed enthusiasm, the Olympic hockey scene is set for a thrilling showdown that could reshape expectations and showcase the NHL’s resilience.