NHL Stars Set to Elevate Ice Hockey at Milano-Cortina Olympics

The return of prominent NHL players at the upcoming Milano-Cortina Winter Games marks a significant shift for ice hockey, with both the United States and Canada assembling top-tier rosters for the tournament. This development comes after the NHL’s absence from Olympic ice hockey since 2014, which left many of the world’s best players sidelined during the 2018 and 2022 Games.

The U.S. team is set to feature stars such as Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and Quinn Hughes, while Canada will showcase its elite talent, including Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon. The excitement around these players is expected to reignite global interest in the sport, which has seen challenges in maintaining its visibility on the Olympic stage.

According to Molly Solomon, executive producer and president of NBC’s Olympics and Paralympics Production, “NHL players bring a level of star power that elevates everything. It’s not just hockey – it’s hockey with the best players in the world.” The presence of these athletes not only enhances the competition but also fuels anticipation for classic matchups, especially between the U.S. and Canada.

The rivalry between these teams is one of the most storied in Olympic history, and broadcasters are eager to capitalize on this renewed interest. A recent final between the United States and Canada in the politically charged 4 Nations Face-Off attracted a record 9.3 million viewers on ESPN, illustrating the significant audience that Olympic hockey can command. Solomon remarked, “A USA-Canada medal-round matchup? That’s appointment viewing.”

Historically, the United States men’s team has not claimed Olympic gold since their iconic victory in 1980, commonly referred to as the “Miracle on Ice.” Canada, on the other hand, won the tournament in both 2010 and 2014. The last Olympics saw the U.S. field a team composed mainly of collegiate players and those from international leagues after the NHL withdrew just weeks before the Games in Beijing.

The return of NHL players heralds a transformative moment for the U.S. team, according to Pat Kelleher, Executive Director of USA Hockey. He expressed optimism for a comprehensive success, predicting a gold medal sweep across men’s, women’s, and Paralympic competitions. “What this means is we get our best players,” Kelleher stated during a recent media summit. “We don’t take a back seat to anybody in hockey anymore.”

In preparation for the upcoming Games, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) welcomed 44 players from 24 different NHL teams to a training camp in August. The U.S. men’s team recently celebrated its first world championship gold medal in 92 years, adding to the momentum heading into the Olympics.

Despite the team’s overhaul, with only two players returning from the 2022 Beijing Games, the USOPC has embraced a “hands-off approach” to the men’s team, as noted by Rocky Harris, the NGB’s chief of sport and athlete services. “We’re thrilled that the NHL is back in the Games. We think that’s going to do a lot, not only for the sport of hockey but for our country to get excited about the Games in a way that we haven’t seen in quite some time,” Harris remarked at a recent media summit.

With the right coaching and strategies in place, USA Hockey is poised to galvanize support and elevate the profile of ice hockey during the Milano-Cortina Games. As the world awaits the opening of the tournament, the stage is set for a thrilling display of athleticism and competition among the sport’s elite.