Nico Hischier, captain of the New Jersey Devils and one of the NHL’s brightest young stars, has dreamed of playing in the Winter Olympic his whole life. Growing up in Switzerland, Hischier dreamed of wearing his country’s colors on the sport’s biggest international stage, but the opportunity remained elusive.
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Now the countdown has officially begun as he considers a potential debut at the Winter Olympic 2026 in Milan, Italy. This will be the first Olympic event featuring NHL players since 2014, marking the long-awaited return of the league’s best athletes.
The NHL’s participation in the Winter Olympic has been the subject of controversy for nearly a decade. Following the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic, NHL players were banned from participating in two subsequent Winter Olympic Games. The NHL has not reached agreements with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to participate in either PyeongChang 2018 or Beijing 2022.
However, a breakthrough came when it was announced that NHL players would be allowed to compete in both the 2026 and 2030 Olympic, giving new hope to players like Hischier who had long dreamed of competing in that arena.
NHL’s Commitment to Winter Olympic Competition
This season leading up to the Winter Olympic 2026, NHL players will have several opportunities to compete internationally and represent their countries. The New Jersey Devils will begin their season against the Buffalo Sabers in Prague, Czech Republic. The game is part of a series of international events aimed at reconnecting the NHL with its global fan base.
Additionally, the league will host a Four Nations Faceoff in February, which will feature teams from the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland competing in Montreal and Boston. The event serves as an appetizer to the upcoming Olympic, allowing fans to see top players compete for national glory.c
Our players who have postponed the Winter Olympic have a history and tradition of representing their countries, whether it be at the World Juniors or the World Championships, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. We are the most international of the four major North American sports.
“There is no doubt about that, as well as the way our players feel about representing their countries. Bettman’s remarks underscore the NHL’s commitment to honoring hockey’s international heritage, as well as the players’ deep desire to wear their national jerseys.”
The International Ice Hockey Federation’s Men’s World Championship traditionally coincides with the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which has often prevented NHL players from participating. This scheduling conflict, combined with the absence of NHL stars from the last two Winter Olympic, has meant that the hockey world hasn’t seen a true best-of-best international competition since the 2016 IIHF World Championship.
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Even then, the tournament had some unique challenges, including a format that divided players from the United States and Canada under the age of 23 into Team North America and combined players from countries like Switzerland, Slovakia and Germany into Team Europe . This structure prevented fans from seeing some of hockey’s greatest talents play together for their countries.
Never before have US stars Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Patrick Kane and Adam Fox been able to join forces on one international team. Likewise, Canadian legends such as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have not yet had the opportunity to play together on Team Canada.
The last chance to see elite talent of this caliber compete in the same tournament was at the 2016 World Championships, but that event had its limitations due to the changed team structure. You can also read Winter Olympic 2026: Harvard Women’s Ice Hockey Heads to Belfast for 2026 Friendship Series.
The NHL initially intended to stage the World Cup of Hockey in the winter of 2024, but logistical problems arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced the league to postpone those plans. As an alternative, the NHL and NHL Players Association launched the Four Nations Faceoff tournament, which features teams from the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland.
This tournament will take place in Montreal and Boston in place of the usual All-Star festivities. You could characterize this as a mini-World Cup if you like, said NHL Players Association executive director Marty Walsh. Especially now when we think about the Winter Olympic, people talk about it: the tournament is the best of the best.
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Walsh, who previously served as US Secretary of Labor and mayor of Boston, sensed growing excitement among hockey fans, especially in the US. I’m looking forward to seeing the world stars compete in Boston.
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The Four Nations showdown was first announced at last year’s NHL All-Star Game, along with the announcement confirming NHL players’ participation in the next two Winter Olympic in 2026 and 2030. For many players, this news was encouraging, especially for those who have never had the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games.
David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins, one of the Czech Republic’s brightest stars, expressed his optimism, saying: “They signed two Olympics, contracts for NHL players, so I guess you can take that as a little plus… I can look already there the Olympic Agreement is in force.”
Participation in the Olympics was part of negotiations to extend the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement in 2020. At the time, the league and the players union were negotiating how to complete the pandemic-interrupted 2019-20 season.
Many players were disappointed when they missed out on the opportunity to compete in PyeongChang in 2018, and were even more disappointed when the league pulled out of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, citing scheduling issues exacerbated by COVID-19.
The Importance of International Representation
The announcement of NHL players returning to the Olympic 2026 was met with enthusiasm by many of the league’s top stars. Bettman noted that several players approached him personally to express their excitement.
It’s all about players wanting to perform at their best, represent their countries and have the opportunity to play on teams with players they might not otherwise have the opportunity to play with, Bettman said. Yes, going to the Olympics is devastating, but it’s the right thing to do. He also noted that construction of hockey arenas in Milan is back on schedule, easing previous concerns about readiness.
However, the NHL season must first play over 1,000 games before the Winter Olympic become a reality. While most of these games will be played in North America, some important events will take place internationally.
In addition to the season opener in Prague between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, the Dallas Stars and Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are scheduled to play two games in Tampere, Finland, in November. These games are part of the NHL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its international presence and build momentum for a more regular cycle of international competition.
Looking to the future, the NHL’s long-term goal is to establish a regular schedule of international events. The plan includes alternating between the Olympics and the Ice Hockey World Championships every two years.
Winter Olympic 2026 – Future World Championship Plans
The league plans to host World Championship tournaments in 2028 and 2032, complementing these major events with additional Global Series games in Europe. We have a pretty busy international schedule throughout the season, Walsh said. This should not be a one-time event. You have to run these events, but how do you build momentum from them?
As NHL players eagerly prepare for upcoming international competition, including the highly anticipated Winter Olympic, the league is laying the foundation for a new era of global hockey. For players like Nico Hischier and others who dream of competing on the world stage, returning to the Olympics is a welcome opportunity to showcase their skills and represent their countries.
The 4 Nations Face-off and Global Series games are generating excitement and fans from all over the world are ready for hockey’s top talent to once again team up and compete at the international level.
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