NHL Stars Descend on Milan as Olympic Hockey Prepares for Wednesday Debut

The hockey world converged on Milan's Malpensa Airport on Sunday morning as 148 NHL stars touched down in Italy ahead of the highly anticipated men's ice hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The arrival marks a historic moment for the sport, as NHL players return to Olympic competition for the first time since Sochi 2014, ending a 12-year absence that left fans disappointed during the Pyeongchang and Beijing Games.

Leading the star-studded arrivals were some of hockey's biggest names, including two-time Olympic gold medalist Sidney Crosby of Canada, reigning Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid, and American sniper Auston Matthews. The NHL paused its regular season after games concluded on Thursday, February 5, and will remain on hiatus through Wednesday, February 25, allowing its players to pursue Olympic glory without the compressed schedule that had complicated participation discussions in previous years.

The men's tournament officially begins on Wednesday, February 11, with preliminary round action that will determine seeding for the knockout stages. The format features 12 nations competing across three groups, with the top teams advancing to the medal rounds that will culminate in the gold medal game on February 22. The return of NHL talent has elevated expectations and generated unprecedented buzz, as hockey fans worldwide anticipate seeing the sport's best players representing their countries on the Olympic stage.

Canada enters as the favorite to reclaim gold after winning in 2014, boasting a roster that blends Crosby's championship pedigree with the explosive offensive talents of McDavid and other young stars. The United States counters with a deep lineup anchored by Matthews and featuring elite goaltending, while traditional powers Sweden, Finland, and Russia present formidable challenges. European hockey has grown increasingly competitive in recent years, with Switzerland, Czechia, and Germany also capable of medal contention when NHL talent is involved.

The league's decision to pause for the Olympics required extensive negotiations between the NHL, NHL Players' Association, International Olympic Committee, and International Ice Hockey Federation. The agreement represents a significant shift from the league's previous stance during the 2018 and 2022 Olympics, when concerns about schedule disruption, injury risk, and insurance costs kept NHL players at home. The overwhelming desire from players to represent their countries, combined with the marketing opportunities presented by Milan hosting the Games, ultimately brought all parties to agreement.

For the players arriving in Milan, the Olympic experience represents the pinnacle of international hockey competition. Many of these athletes have dreamed of wearing their national team jerseys at the Olympics since childhood, and the 12-year gap has only intensified their appreciation for the opportunity. As they settle into the Olympic Village and begin preparations with their national team coaching staffs, the countdown to Wednesday's opening games has begun in earnest, promising three weeks of world-class hockey that will captivate the global sports audience.