Reports: NHL, NHLPA to announce return to Olympics in '26

Field Level Media|published: Fri 2nd February, 12:48 2024

Jan 31, 2024; Gangwon-do, KOR; Mikey Berchild (USA) strikes the puck past goalkeeper Jan Larys (CZE) to score a goal and make it 0-3 in the Ice Hockey Men s 6-on-6 Tournament Gold Medal Game between Czech Republic and (USA) at the Gangneung Hockey Centre. The Winter Youth Olympic Games, Gangwon, South Korea, Wednesday 31 January 2024. credits: OIS/Joel Marklund-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL and the players association are expected to announce the return of league players to the Olympics in 2026, according to multiple reports Friday.

In addition, the two sides have agreed to a Four Nations tournament in 2025, with players representing Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States, per report.

The Olympics have not had a contingent of NHL players since the 2014 Sochi Games.

The league skipped the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, over a dispute with the International Olympic Committee over which group would pay for things such as travel, housing and insurance.

In 2022, issues related to COVID-19 caused the NHL players not to compete in the Beijing Games.

Marty Walsh, the executive director of the NHL Players Association, said in November that his group and the NHL were working on a plan for players to compete in 2026 in the Milano-Cortina games in Italy.

"We've had good conversations and are fine-tuning a couple of points," he said, per CBC. "I'm hopeful. Players are very eager to play."

—Field Level Media