The evolution of hockey leading into the 2026 Winter Olympics
National Hockey League players are headed to Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics amidst worries about stadium construction. After being granted permission for the first time since 2014 to play, the tournament will see longtime NHL players like Canada’s Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who are also getting their first chance to compete in the games.
The past few months were marked by controversy towards the preparation and safety of the host stadium, the Santagiulia. As construction was still in progress throughout late 2025, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman raised concerns of the slow progress saying, “if the ice isn’t ready and it’s not safe, then we’re not going.” Concerns were based on the rigorous maintenance required to ensure a safe ice surface. With Bettman saying, “it’s never been this late for a completion in the building of ice, and so that’s why we are cautious.”
Despite these frustrations, the ice surface was deemed to be safe by Olympic standards earlier this month, with Chief Games Operations Officer Andrea Francisim saying he is “100% confident the facilities would be up to scratch for NHL players.” After a test game featuring Italian hockey teams, arena manager Don Moffat said organizers were “very happy and satisfied with the field of play”
The move to allow NHL players in the Games has sparked a considerable increase in the number of players from North American leagues compared to the 2022 Olympics. For example, team Latvia saw an increase of 37 per cent, while the defending champions. Team Finland showed a 96 per cent growth of players from a North American league. These statistics are to be expected as North America and Europe’s best hockey stars tend to play in the NHL or its affiliates.
With the Olympics under two weeks away, excitement is building. This is true for Canada’s Macklin Celebrini. At just 19 years of age, Celebrini was named to the Olympic hockey team after leading his team, the San Jose Sharks in points the past two seasons. Canada’s General Manager, Doug Armstrong said that Celebrini “worked his way on” the roster., “[Celebrini’s] gone to the World [Junior’]s, he’ll fit in well socially with the top players in the game, and his product on the ice speaks for itself.”
Uniquely, the tournament features the host nation’s hockey team. Although the past three Winter Olympics host nations do not have strong hockey teams, it is still memorable to watch. In 2018, the South Korean men’s hockey team was coached by former Pittsburgh Penguin, Jim Paek. China also sent a team to the 2022 tournament featuring players from around the world who played for Chinese ice hockey teams. This year, Italy takes on the world in front of their home crowd.
While ice hockey at the Olympics is dominated by the “4 nations,” the tournament brings global unity to a sport loved around the world. Twelve teams are formed, create camaraderie, and compete against the best in the world within months. Fans gather from around the world supporting their country, while others may be introduced to the sport for the first time. Regardless, these Olympics promise to display hockey’s greatest talent after years of uncertainty.