NHL Stars Arrive in Milan as League Embraces Olympic Return After 12-Year Absence

The world's greatest hockey players have begun arriving in Milan, Italy, as the NHL makes its long-awaited return to Olympic competition after a 12-year absence from the Winter Games. Superstars including Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Auston Matthews touched down in northern Italy this week, ready to represent their nations at Milano Cortina 2026 and reignite one of sports' most compelling international rivalries.

The NHL paused its 2025-26 regular season following the conclusion of games on Thursday, February 5, implementing a comprehensive Olympic break that extends through Wednesday, February 25. The league has committed eight games scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, as the return date when NHL action resumes across North America. This marks the first time since the 2014 Sochi Olympics that NHL players will compete for Olympic gold.

The men's ice hockey tournament runs from February 11-22, featuring NHL talent for the first time in over a decade, with one notable exception - players from Russia are excluded from NHL Olympic participation. The women's tournament kicked off earlier on February 5, with round-robin action extending to February 10, while the men's round-robin phase runs from February 11-18 before the medal rounds begin.

NHL Network will provide comprehensive on-site coverage beginning February 10 with a special "NHL Tonight: Milano Cortina 2026" program broadcast directly from Italy. The dedicated Olympic programming will deliver daily highlights, analysis, and behind-the-scenes access as NHL stars compete for their countries on hockey's biggest international stage. NHL.com will complement the television coverage with extensive digital content throughout the tournament.

The return of NHL players to Olympic competition represents a significant victory for hockey fans worldwide who have missed seeing the sport's elite talent compete in best-on-best international tournaments. The 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics proceeded without NHL participation due to scheduling conflicts and pandemic-related concerns, diminishing the quality of Olympic hockey competition during those cycles.

For many current NHL superstars like McDavid and Matthews, Milano Cortina 2026 represents their first Olympic opportunity, while veterans like Crosby seek to add to their legacy with another potential gold medal. The tournament promises to deliver the kind of high-stakes, emotionally charged hockey that only Olympic competition can provide, with national pride and career-defining moments hanging in the balance with every shift on the ice.