The NHLs Olympic moment has returned and its bigger than ever

MILAN — The world has been deprived of men’s ice hockey in its most elite form for 12 years. An entire generation of NHL stars is finally coming off the shelves, after the previous two Olympic tournaments featured European professionals and minor leaguers.It starved hockey fans of a substantial piece of the sport.

One that so many players grew up on: International best-on-best competition. The top hockey league in the world provided an appetizer — the 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025 — to tease what is sure to be a delicious main dish of Olympic proportions. A 12-nation tasting menu that finally includes Canada’s Connor McDavid, the United States’ Auston Matthews, Germany’s Leon Draisaitl, Czechia’s David Pastrnak and so many more. Delectably fast-paced.Rich in high-level skill.

A display of hockey’s unrivaled form that will have you salivating for more. The NHL is what’s new at this year’s Olympics.Not only for the viewing audience at home, but the NHLers seem to be a hot topic in the Olympic Village.

At least, that’s what it sounds like. “Probably Auston is the biggest [celebrity],” Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk told reporters after Team USA practice Sunday in Milan, right after his brother and expected linemate, Brady, revealed that he and his American teammates forfeited the Players Association-provided hotel in favor of the Olympic Village. “But, I mean, a lot of guys stick out.A lot of them are pretty big.

And I think a lot of [the other athletes] really like hockey and have some favorite teams back in the U.S.So a lot of people across the globe and men’s and women’s hockey have come up to us.

And honestly, in all sports.It’s been really, really cool so far.

I’ve really enjoyed them.”Of the 148 NHL players across 11 countries competing in Milan, 125 are making their Olympics debuts.Gold is on everyone’s minds, and so is the glory that will come with winning this Olympic tournament in particular.Hock...