«There is optimism»: the head of the IIHF — on the participation of NHL players in the 2026 Olympics

Beijing, Feb 17, Semyon Galkevich. There is optimism in terms of the participation of the players of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2026 Olympics, said the head of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Luc Tardif. The NHL leadership announced its refusal to let its hockey players go to the Olympics in Beijing in December 2021 due to the coronavirus. «As for the participation of the NHL in the next Games «It's the IIHF's job to bring all the best to the Olympics. It's our responsibility and we'll do our best. We had an agreement before Beijing, but the coronavirus has changed. We have a positive basis now, we are optimistic about the Games- 2026. But we need to come to an agreement early in order to systematically prepare for the tournament. If the NHL does not come to Cortina d'Ampezzo, it will be a big problem. Everyone was upset that the NHL did not come here. For today, I am optimistic about the participation of the NHL in 2026,» said Tardif. Olympics- 2026 will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.