NHL stars are finally heading back to the Olympics.
In a huge win for hockey fans worldwide, NHL players will return to Olympic competition at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan. It’s been a long 12-year wait since we last saw the world’s best hockey players compete for Olympic gold.
The deal between the NHL, the players’ union, and international hockey officials also opens the door for NHL participation in the 2030 Olympics in France.
“All the best ice hockey players in the world” will be there, IOC president Kirsty Coventry announced excitedly.
This is massive news for superstars like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon – none of whom have ever played in the Olympics despite being among hockey’s biggest names.
The last time NHL players hit Olympic ice was 2014 in Sochi, when Team Canada grabbed gold. That championship squad featured legends like Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews, but most of that roster has since hung up their skates.
We got a taste of what’s possible during this year’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The action was intense from the start – the U.S.-Canada game kicked off with three fights in just nine seconds!
McDavid ended up playing hero in the championship game, scoring in overtime to give Canada a thrilling 3-2 win over the Americans.
But here’s what makes 2026 really interesting: Team USA hasn’t won Olympic gold since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.
That underdog victory over the mighty Soviet Union remains one of sports’ greatest upsets. A bunch of American college kids somehow took down what was basically a professional Soviet team that had dominated Olympic hockey for years.
The U.S. has only managed two silver medals since then (2002 and 2010). But this time could be different.
With the incredible depth of American talent in today’s NHL, Team USA might field its strongest Olympic roster ever. They’ll be hungry to end that 46-year gold medal drought.
The tournament in Milan is shaping up to be something special. After missing out on three straight Olympics, the world’s best players are ready to put on their national jerseys and chase Olympic glory once again.
