The wait is finally over for ice hockey fans around the world. After a 12-year Olympic absence, the National Hockey League (NHL) players are officially set to take the ice at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This landmark decision was finalized on July 2, 2025, and marks the return of the best hockey talent on the planet to the Olympic stage for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games.

A Long-Awaited Decision For The NHL 

It’s a moment that has been long in the making. The NHL, NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and International Olympic Committee (IOC) came together in Zurich to ink the agreement that will allow the world’s top professionals to compete for their countries once again.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman summed it up perfectly: “Olympic participation will showcase the skill and talent of NHL players on an international stage.” This collaboration is not just a win for hockey but a global boost for the sport’s growth and visibility.

Why Is This Such A Big Deal?

For over a decade, Olympic ice hockey has missed the star power that NHL players bring. The last time these elite athletes donned their national jerseys at the Games was in 2014. Since then, the Olympics have been without the best of the best, leaving fans craving the intensity and drama that only NHL stars can deliver. Now, with Milano-Cortina 2026 on the horizon, anticipation is building for a tournament that promises to be a high-octane clash of hockey titans.

Lock The Dates At The Milano-Cortina 2026

The 2026 men’s hockey tournament will kick off on February 11 and run through February 22, featuring 12 countries, including powerhouses like Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, and host nation Italy. The return of NHL players means fans can expect the kind of electrifying gameplay, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments that define the sport at its highest level.

This agreement also sets the stage for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, ensuring that NHL players will continue to bring their world-class talent to the Olympic ice for years to come.

In short, the stage is set, the players are ready, and hockey fans worldwide have every reason to be excited. Milano-Cortina 2026 will not just be another Winter Olympics; it will be a celebration of hockey’s finest, a showcase of speed, skill, and passion that only the NHL can deliver on the grandest stage of all.

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The World Cup of Hockey is an ice hockey tournament that was inaugurated in 1992. It had only been held twice since 2004 and 2016. It was uncertain if the tournament would be held again, however, after a gap of 12 years the National Hockey League (NHL) announced its comeback on Wednesday, 12 February.

The World Cup of Hockey will be returning in 2028, and at least eight teams will be competing for the trophy. The teams will be based on individual countries this year, unlike the earlier format which was a blend of several countries.

While the other details remain unknown, what we know is that the NHL and NHLPA will be working together on the successful completion of the 4 Nations Face-Off where they will also be discussing the World Cup of Hockey. Other details like the teams that will take part, the venue, and locations will be disclosed later this year.

According to the announcement, the World Cup and the Olympics will take place every two years in rotation starting from the Winter Olympics in 2026. The NHL has not appeared for a single Olympics since 2014 and they are set to make a comeback in the next edition.

“We’re going to the Olympics, the agreement’s on paper. We haven’t signed it yet. We’re still working through it. It’s a large agreement. There’s no obstacle. There’s no real big obstacle. It’s just a matter of putting pen to paper.” Walsh said regarding the NHL’s participation.

Marty Walsh, the executive director of the NHL told the media, “We couldn’t be more excited about making a reality Olympics, World Cups, Olympics, World Cups on a regular schedule of the best hockey players in the world representing their countries,”

“We know the full-blown World Cup, this is simply a sampler, is going to be sensational,” he added

There is uncertainty about whether the Russian players will be joining the league because of the ongoing war, the director shared his thoughts regarding the matter, “I’d love to see our Russian players paying in these tournaments again,”.

“They’re incredible hockey players. The issues are political. Not political as far as the NHLPA; it’s world politics we have to get through. I’m hoping that as we get closer to the Olympics, closer to the World Cup, we will start seeing Russian athletes back in the competition.” he added.

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Jessica Campbell has scripted history in the field of  ice hockey by becoming the first female to coach a game in National Hockey League history. 

The Seattle Kraken assistant coach made her debut as a coach in the NHL regular season opener against the St. Louis Blues on 8 October 8. Although the Kraken lost the game 3-2, it will remain a landmark in the history of the sport.

“For me, it’s just a normal day in terms of my work, in terms of my routine, in terms of all of those pieces. I never want to diminish the things that I’m doing because I’m so focused on the task at hand, but I also know that being focused on the task at hand has allowed me to get to this moment and is going to continue” Campbell said.

“But I think the moment leading up to the game and stepping on the bench…I’m really going to try to honor what it is, because I know, and I definitely understand that the magnitude and the importance of this moment is really important for our game.”

Campbell began her coaching career in 2017, beginning in the youth leagues of her home country Canada before moving to Sweden and the Malmo Redhawks for a season.

After a season in Germany with the men’s national team and the Nurnberg Ice Tigers, Campbell made a stint in the USA and the American Hockey League.

In 2022, she joined the Kraken’s top minor league affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where she served as an assistant coach for the following two seasons.

Campbell’s big assignment came in July, when she was contracted to the Kraken’s coaching team ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season.

The Canadian native had a successful international playing career at international level, winning the 4 Nations Cup on home ice in 2014 and was part of Canada’s silver medal-winning team at the women’s 2015 World Championship.

Seattle are competing in their fourth NHL season since their foundation in 2018. They reached the play-offs in 2022-23 and finished sixth last season.

Connor McDavid’s mastery in the realm of hockey is unquestionable, making it evident that he has nothing left to prove about his exceptional skills on the ice. Nevertheless, there’s an undeniable pleasure in reminding enthusiasts of the extraordinary talent possessed by the Edmonton Oilers’ standout player.

In an evening dedicated to showcasing the pinnacle of hockey prowess, it came as no surprise that McDavid, widely acknowledged as the best player on the planet, seized the spotlight in front of an enthralled Toronto audience. The NHL All-Star Skills competition unfolded as a testament to McDavid’s unrivaled abilities, culminating in his triumph in the 12-man challenge and the acquisition of a noteworthy $1 million prize.

The stellar lineup on Friday night included formidable contenders like Cale Makar, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander, setting the stage for an intense competition. McDavid’s triumph in the 2024 event was a nail-biter, with the Oilers’ superstar securing victory in the final moments, surpassing his elite competitors.

In the initial round, McDavid’s dominance was evident as he clinched victory in three out of the first six challenges, effortlessly securing his spot in Round 2. Despite a slight stumble in the One-on-One event during the second round, his robust performance from the outset ensured his place in the ultimate showdown.

A fitting touch to the spectacle was the Obstacle Course, an event inspired by McDavid himself. As the mastermind behind the design of the skills night, it was hardly surprising to witness McDavid’s authoritative display in the final challenge, surpassing Makar’s time by nearly three seconds to be crowned the undisputed champion.

The 2024 edition of the Skills competition marked a departure from the past, opting for a 12-man competition where players accumulated points throughout each round. McDavid played a crucial role in shaping this format, expressing positive sentiments about the changes.

Reflecting on the event, McDavid shared his thoughts, stating, “I thought it was a fun event. I hope the fans had fun; we put on a good show. I thought it was fun. Everybody wanted to go back to the basics and show off the skills that we use on a nightly basis. I thought you saw some good speed, some good passing, some good shooting.” McDavid’s words underscored the essence of the night—an exhilarating celebration of the fundamental skills that make hockey a thrilling spectacle.

NHL All-Star Skills Competition Results 2024