Nico Hischier Anticipates 2026 Olympic Return for NHL Players \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Nico Hischier and fellow NHL stars are gearing up for a return to the Winter Olympics in 2026, marking the first NHL participation since 2014. The season features multiple international events, including the 4 Nations Face-off, designed to rekindle hockey’s global roots. NHL officials and players are enthusiastic about a “best-on-best” tournament experience.
NHL Stars Prepare for Olympic Return: Quick Looks
- Nico Hischier is eager for his first Olympic appearance in 2026.
- The NHL has not participated in the Winter Olympics since 2014.
- The Devils will open the season against the Sabres in Prague.
- 4 Nations Face-off features U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland in February.
- Gary Bettman affirms NHL’s commitment to players representing their countries.
- Last “best-on-best” tournament was the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
- Russia-Ukraine conflict postponed the planned 2024 World Cup of Hockey.
- NHL players will attend the next two Olympics, in Milan and France.
Deep Look
Nico Hischier, captain of the New Jersey Devils and one of the NHL’s brightest young stars, has had a lifelong dream of playing in the Winter Olympics. Growing up in Switzerland, Hischier envisioned wearing his nation’s colors on the sport’s biggest international stage, yet that opportunity has remained elusive. Now, the countdown is officially underway as he eyes a potential debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. It will be the first Olympic event involving NHL players since 2014, marking a long-awaited return for the league’s best athletes.
The NHL’s participation in the Winter Olympics has been a point of contention for nearly a decade. Since the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014, NHL players have been barred from competing in the subsequent two Winter Games. The NHL did not reach agreements with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to participate in either Pyeongchang in 2018 or Beijing in 2022. However, a breakthrough came when it was announced that NHL players would be allowed to compete in both the 2026 and 2030 Olympics, bringing new hope to players like Hischier who have long dreamed of competing on that stage.
This season, as a precursor to the 2026 Olympics, NHL players will have several opportunities to play internationally and represent their countries. The New Jersey Devils will kick off their season with a matchup against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czech Republic. This game is part of a series of international events that aim to reconnect the NHL to its global fanbase. Additionally, the league will host the 4 Nations Face-off in February, which will feature teams from the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland competing in Montreal and Boston. This event serves as an appetizer to the upcoming Olympics, providing fans with a glimpse of top players competing for national glory.
“Our players — putting aside the Olympics — have a history and a tradition of representing their countries, whether it’s the world juniors or the world championships,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “We are the most international of the four major North American sports. There’s no question about that, and there’s no question about how our players feel about representing their countries.” Bettman’s remarks highlight the NHL’s commitment to honoring hockey’s international heritage, as well as the players’ deep desire to don their respective national jerseys.
The International Ice Hockey Federation’s men’s world championship traditionally coincides with the Stanley Cup playoffs, which has often prevented NHL players from participating. This scheduling conflict, coupled with the absence of NHL stars from the past two Winter Olympics, has meant that the hockey world hasn’t seen a true “best-on-best” international competition since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Even then, the tournament carried some unique complications, including a format that divided U.S. and Canadian players aged 23 and under into “Team North America” and merged players from countries like Switzerland, Slovakia, and Germany into “Team Europe.” This structure prevented fans from seeing some of the greatest hockey talent playing together for their respective countries.
Never before have the United States’ stars—Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Patrick Kane, and Adam Fox—had the chance to join forces on the same international team. Similarly, Canadian legends such as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar have not yet had the opportunity to play together on a unified Team Canada. The last chance to see this level of elite talent competing in one tournament came with the 2016 World Cup, but that event had its limitations due to the altered team structures.
Originally, the NHL had intended to organize a World Cup of Hockey in winter 2024, but logistical issues stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced the league to put those plans on hold. As an alternative, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association have launched the 4 Nations Face-off, featuring teams from the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland. This tournament will take place in Montreal and Boston, in place of the usual All-Star festivities. “You could characterize it as a mini World Cup, if you will,” said NHL Players’ Association Executive Director Marty Walsh. “Especially as we think about heading into the 2026 Olympics, people are talking about that: a best-on-best tournament.”
Walsh, who previously served as the U.S. labor secretary and as the mayor of Boston, has sensed growing excitement among hockey fans, especially those in the U.S. “There’s already buzz for the games at the Bruins’ home arena,” Walsh said, referencing the anticipation for seeing international stars compete in Boston.
The 4 Nations Face-off was initially unveiled at last year’s NHL All-Star Weekend, alongside the announcement confirming NHL player participation in the next two Winter Olympics in 2026 and 2030. For many players, the news has been uplifting, particularly for those who have never had the chance to compete in the Olympics. Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak, one of the Czech Republic’s brightest stars, expressed his optimism, saying, “They signed two Olympics, deals for NHL players, so I guess you can take that as a little plus… I can look already there with an Olympic deal in place.”
Olympic participation was part of the negotiations to extend the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement in 2020. At that time, the league and the players’ union were negotiating ways to finish the interrupted 2019-20 season amid the pandemic. Many players were frustrated when they missed the opportunity to compete in Pyeongchang in 2018 and were even more disappointed when the league withdrew from the Beijing Olympics in 2022, citing scheduling challenges exacerbated by COVID-19.
The announcement of NHL players returning to the Olympics was met with enthusiasm from many of the league’s top stars. Bettman noted that several players approached him personally to express their excitement. “This was all about the players wanting a best-on-best and representing their countries and having an opportunity to play on teams with players that they might not otherwise have a chance to play with,” Bettman said. “Yes, going to the Olympics is disruptive, but it’s the right thing to do.” He also mentioned that construction of hockey arenas in Milan is back on schedule, easing prior concerns about readiness.
However, the NHL season must first navigate more than 1,000 games before the Winter Olympics become a reality. While the bulk of these games will be played in North America, some marquee events will take place internationally. Besides the season opener in Prague between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, the Dallas Stars and Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are scheduled to play two games in Tampere, Finland, in November. These games are part of the NHL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its international footprint and generate momentum for a more regular cycle of international competition.
Looking ahead, the long-term goal for the NHL is to establish a regular schedule of international events. This plan includes alternating between the Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey every other year. The league aims to host World Cup tournaments in 2028 and 2032, supplementing these major events with additional Global Series games in Europe. “We have a pretty busy international schedule throughout the season,” Walsh noted. “It shouldn’t be a one-off. It should be you do those events, but how do you build momentum off those.”
As the NHL players eagerly prepare for the upcoming international competitions, including the highly anticipated Winter Olympics, the league is laying the foundation for a new era of global hockey. For players like Nico Hischier and others who have dreamed of competing on the world stage, the return to Olympic play is a long-awaited opportunity to showcase their skills and represent their countries. The 4 Nations Face-off and Global Series games are building excitement, and fans worldwide are ready for the best hockey talent to unite and compete on an international level once again.
Nico Hischier
