Milan, Italy – The American ice hockey team, comprised of NHL stars returning to Olympic competition for the first time in 12 years, praised the facilities at the Arena rink on Tuesday, ahead of the opening of the men’s hockey tournament on February 11th. Players described the ice and overall preparation as “beautiful” and “well-prepared,” signaling a positive initial impression of the host city’s readiness for the Games.
The return of NHL players to the Olympics marks a significant moment for the sport, following a hiatus since the 2014 Sochi Games. A total of 148 NHL players are participating in the Milano Cortina 2026 tournament, representing 12 countries. The competition will begin with a preliminary round featuring three games for each team, followed by a single-elimination playoff bracket culminating in the gold medal game on February 22nd.
The resumption of NHL player participation follows a successful 4 Nations Face-Off tournament held last year, which featured the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden. That event, the first best-on-best hockey tournament since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, saw Canada emerge victorious, defeating the U.S. In overtime. Many of the players who competed in the 4 Nations Face-Off are now competing for Olympic gold.
Canada enters the tournament with a strong historical record in Olympic hockey, having won gold in three of the five Olympics that have featured NHL players, including the 2010 and 2014 Games. The United States will be looking to challenge Canada’s dominance, with Team USA star Charlie McAvoy highlighted as a key player to watch.
The men’s hockey tournament is scheduled to run from February 11th to February 22nd in Milan. Fans can access detailed information, including schedules, skater and goaltender statistics, and rosters, through NHL.com and other official Olympic channels. The NHL has created an interactive guide to provide comprehensive coverage of the Games, including historical data from previous Olympics featuring NHL players.
The Olympic ice hockey schedule began on February 5th, with the men’s tournament commencing on February 11th with a double-header. Coverage of the Games will be available live on NBC and Peacock.
