The NHLPA is working hard to bring back NHL players to the Olympics

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Austin Sabourin
July 19, 2023 (10:24 PM)

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After a long wait, hockey fans can rejoice as the NHL and NHLPA are diligently working towards sending players back to the Winter Olympics in 2026.

Marty Walsh, the NHLPA Executive Director, expressed his determination to make it happen, stating that negotiations are underway with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the International Ice Hockey Federation.

Speaking to ESPN, Walsh emphasized the players' desire to represent their home countries in a thrilling best-on-best tournament.

The last time the NHL participated in the Winter Olympics was in 2014, in Sochi, where Canada clinched their second consecutive gold medal by defeating Sweden in a gripping final.

The subsequent Winter Olympics, held in South Korea in 2018, did not witness NHL player participation due to alterations in the agreement with the International Olympic Committee.

However, with the ratification of a four-year extension to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in 2020, Olympic involvement in 2022 and 2026 was included. Unfortunately, concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic led to the NHL's decision to forgo player participation in the 2022 Olympics.

Nevertheless, the focus now shifts to Milan 2026, with hopes soaring high.

Beyond the Olympics, the NHL and NHLPA are also actively engaged in preparations for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.

Originally slated for February 2024, the tournament's timing has been pushed back to 2025 at the earliest due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent uncertainty surrounding their participation.

Excitement is building as hockey aficionados eagerly anticipate the return of the NHL players to the grand international stage of the Winter Olympics, ready to witness unforgettable performances and intense rivalries. Stay tuned for further updates on this remarkable development.

Source: bladeofsteel