Uncertain Ice Conditions: NHL Players' Olympics Participation at Stake

The participation of NHL players in the upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics is currently under scrutiny, with concerns about the safety of the hockey ice. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly addressed reporters on Monday, emphasizing that the players' safety is paramount. "If the ice is unplayable, the ice is unplayable... Obviously, if the players feel the ice is unsafe, we're not going to play," Daly stated, as reported by NHL.com's Dan Rosen.

Daly's comments came in light of delays in the construction of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the venue for Olympic hockey events. A test event originally set for early December has now been postponed to January 9, which raises further questions. However, Daly remains "cautiously optimistic" that NHL players will be able to participate when the men's hockey tournament kicks off on February 11, 2026.

Assistant Executive Director of the NHL Players' Association, Ron Hainsey, also highlighted the importance of ice quality when discussing potential participation. He assured that player health and safety would not be compromised, stating, "The health and safety of our players while playing on any surface will not be compromised." This sentiment reflects a unified stance from both the NHL and the Players' Association regarding the significance of a safe playing surface.

According to Daly, the venue will receive assistance from NHL ice technicians, including Senior Director of Facilities Operations Derek King. Testing of the ice conditions will continue until February to ensure adequacy. Interestingly, while the NHL regulation size for ice rinks is larger than what the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has planned for the Olympics, Daly reassured that the differences would not impact safety or game quality. The IIHF confirmed that the Olympic rink will measure 196.85 feet, slightly shorter than the NHL's 200-foot standard.

The NHL has made it clear to the IIHF that future Olympic participation, particularly in 2030, will expect compliance with NHL ice surface standards. As the countdown to the 2026 Olympics continues, all eyes are on the construction progress and the condition of the rink, as this will ultimately determine the participation of NHL players in the prestigious tournament.