TORONTO – The negotiations were arduous and took place until 2 a.m. on the night of Thursday to Friday, but the players of the National Hockey League will indeed go to the Olympic Games in 2026, in Italy, then in 2030 and, quite possibly, in 2034.
Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement Friday, on the sidelines of the NHL All-Star Game presented in Toronto, alongside Quebecer Luc Tardif, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
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“This negotiation had been going on for two years, but it was a little more intense in the last three or four weeks. We were starting to get into the details and the devil is always in the details,” commented Mr. Tardif, his face drawn, in an exclusive interview with The newspaper.
Luc Tardif, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
Photo Benoît Rioux
“There was a common desire to get there, everyone participated, put in their little contribution and there were compromises,” continued the president of the IIHF, who is a native of Trois-Rivières. Everyone is happy with the result. We have a vision for the next two Winter Olympics, but I think we have every reason to be optimistic for Salt Lake City [en 2034]. Three Olympics with the best players, it’s still a great day.”
McDavid rejoices, Suzuki granted
Asked to comment, Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid is looking forward to participating in the Olympic Games for the first time. McDavid was only 17 years old when NHL players most recently appeared in Sochi in 2014.
“To have this opportunity, it’s a dream come true,” McDavid said.
The day before, during media day, Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki had expressed his desire to see NHL players again at the Olympic Games.
“I think that participating in the Olympic Games for National League players is important,” he said. We want the best to face the best. It would be fantastic and we have to bring that back.”
Suzuki’s wish was granted, like that of many hockey fans.
“We know how much players enjoy representing their country on the international stage,” Mr. Bettman admitted on Friday. The Olympic Games represent the best stage to do so. […] With the diversity of our player base, we understand that international competitions are important.
“We have to do everything to have the best players during international competitions, but sometimes the planets have to be aligned and they were,” concluded Mr. Tardif, with a smile. We learned to work together, because it was an initiative of the IIHF to bring everyone around the table, the IOC, the organizing committee, the National League, the Players Association and us. That way, there is no disagreement or misunderstanding.”
A new international tournament
Speaking of international competitions, the NHL also announced on Friday that a Four Nations Cup would be organized in two North American cities, one in Canada and one in the United States, in 2025.
The City of Montreal would also be approached to host the competition, but nothing has been confirmed by Bettman. Boston would be the American city in the running.
Canada, the United States, Finland and Sweden will take part in this tournament from February 12 to 20, 2025. The new competition will expand over the years. Due to lack of time, only four countries were chosen, which was not without causing a bit of a stir in other countries, according to the director of the Players’ Association, Marty Walsh.
IN SHORT
- Since the 2030 Olympic Games will logically take place in France, the city of Nice has already been mentioned to potentially host the ice hockey competitions.
- The ice rink used at the next Olympic Games will be the same size as in the NHL, as was the case in Vancouver in 2010.