NHL players will skip Winter Olympics if ice unsafe

NHL athletes will be absent from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy unless the ice conditions are deemed satisfactory, according to deputy commissioner Bill Daly.

Nevertheless, he expresses a «cautious optimism» that the problems will be addressed promptly.

Players from North America’s National Hockey League, the largest in the globe, are expected to participate in the Milan-Cortina Olympics next year – marking their first attendance at a Winter Games since 2014.

Concerns linger regarding the dimensions and quality of the ice at the Santagiulia Arena in Milan, where construction remains ongoing, even with the Games commencing on 6 February. Matches will also take place at Milano Rho Arena.

«If the ice is not playable, then the ice is not playable,» Daly stated.

«I don’t want to be flippant about it. We should know that well ahead of the official Games kickoff. What actions we take at that juncture will be a separate matter.

«Clearly, if the players feel the ice is unsafe, we won’t go ahead with the games.

«It’s as straightforward as that.»

The rink in Milan, sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation, is shorter than the NHL’s minimum requirements, raising concerns about a potential rise in high-speed collisions.

The NHL players’ association mentioned on Saturday that the worries were predominantly about ice quality rather than its dimensions.

However, Daly remarked that he did not believe the challenges were unmanageable.

«We have offered our ice experts and technicians as well as outside providers, and they are availing themselves of these resources,» he added.

«We’re essentially relocating everyone to facilitate this in a manner that is acceptable to NHL players. And I am cautiously optimistic that it will yield positive results.»