NHL, NHLPA, IOC and IIHF finalize agreement for players to participate in 2026 Olympics
Marty Walsh, left, NHLPA Executive Director, and Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, conduct a joint press conference before the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) (Damian Dovarganes, Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
ZURICH – The NHL, NHLPA and international officials on Wednesday finalized a long-ago agreed-to deal to send players to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
The league, union, International Ice Hockey Federation and International Olympic Committee confirmed the participation of NHL players at the games for the first time since 2014. The groups negotiated the agreement and announced it initially last year.
IIHF president Luc Tardif called it "a major step forward for our sport.”
The final touches took time to figure out after officials insisted for months they were not concerned about the lack of a signed document. The deal opens the door for NHL participation to continue in 2030, something that had also been agreed to in February 2024.
Last month, the 12 participating countries unveiled the first six players on their Olympic rosters. The men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Games is scheduled to run from Feb. 11-22.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Here’s what the KSAT newsroom listened to in 2025 ▶ 0:56
Here’s what the KSAT newsroom listened to in 2025
‘I wouldn’t have left you’: Good Samaritan left critically injured after Universal City hit-and-run ▶ 0:32
‘I wouldn’t have left you’: Good Samaritan left critically injured after Universal City hit-and-run
Amazon’s Prime Air drone deliveries are in full swing across San Antonio ▶ 1:26
Amazon’s Prime Air drone deliveries are in full swing across San Antonio
The Running Event kicks off downtown ahead of inaugural San Antonio Marathon_Trim ▶ 1:03
The Running Event kicks off downtown ahead of inaugural San Antonio Marathon_Trim
Castle Hills nursing home resident spreads warmth with handmade hats for San Antonio’s community ▶ 1:52
Castle Hills nursing home resident spreads warmth with handmade hats for San Antonio’s community
San Antonio could test drive lower speed limits, but funding issues may push it down the road ▶ 0:57
San Antonio could test drive lower speed limits, but funding issues may push it down the road
Body cam captures LOPD officer making false claims about business owner months before owner’s arrest ▶ 1:03
Body cam captures LOPD officer making false claims about business owner months before owner’s arrest
Road closures to be aware of during the San Antonio Marathon ▶ 1:55
Road closures to be aware of during the San Antonio Marathon
Mother of Texas A&M student demands answers after daughter’s fatal fall from high-rise in Austin ▶ 2:07
Mother of Texas A&M student demands answers after daughter’s fatal fall from high-rise in Austin
Do police have to wait 24 hours to declare an adult missing? ▶ 2:20
Do police have to wait 24 hours to declare an adult missing?
Harlandale ISD teacher arrested, accused of sexual assault of child, SAPD says ▶ 1:05
Harlandale ISD teacher arrested, accused of sexual assault of child, SAPD says
Mother questions circumstances surrounding death of daughter, a Texas A&M student, in Austin ▶ 1:03
Mother questions circumstances surrounding death of daughter, a Texas A&M student, in Austin
Ousted Alamo Trust president questions timing of resignation request ▶ 1:13
Ousted Alamo Trust president questions timing of resignation request
Prepare to pay a $45 fee to fly if you don't have a Real ID ▶ 0:35
Prepare to pay a $45 fee to fly if you don't have a Real ID
Some UTSA students forced to move dorm rooms as school complies with state’s ‘bathroom bill’ ▶ 1:08
Some UTSA students forced to move dorm rooms as school complies with state’s ‘bathroom bill’
How to share your San Antonio Marathon pics & videos to KSAT Connect ▶ 0:29
How to share your San Antonio Marathon pics & videos to KSAT Connect
How Black Friday can make the economy seem healthier than it is ▶ 1:18
How Black Friday can make the economy seem healthier than it is
Interactive map shows car burglaries at popular San Antonio shopping centers ▶ 0:32
Interactive map shows car burglaries at popular San Antonio shopping centers
Experience San Antonio’s newest drive-thru Christmas light display “The Light Park” at Wolff Stadium ▶ 1:04
Experience San Antonio’s newest drive-thru Christmas light display “The Light Park” at Wolff Stadium
1-on-1 with Colin Allred, candidate for US Senate ▶ 0:41
1-on-1 with Colin Allred, candidate for US Senate
James Talarico shares his favorite things about Texas ▶ 1:48
James Talarico shares his favorite things about Texas
David Elder tries entrees, drinks and desserts at Salsita at the Rim ▶ 1:29
David Elder tries entrees, drinks and desserts at Salsita at the Rim
David Elder tries the Tres Leches Strawberry Matcha Latte from La Panaderia ▶ 0:54
David Elder tries the Tres Leches Strawberry Matcha Latte from La Panaderia
David Elder tries Snow Island in San Antonio ▶ 2:51
David Elder tries Snow Island in San Antonio
Surf & Turf at Sea Island Shrimp House ▶ 0:39
Surf & Turf at Sea Island Shrimp House
Previous photo Next photo