MILAN \u2014 The world has been deprived of men\u2019s ice hockey in its most elite form for 12 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An entire generation of NHL stars is finally coming off the shelves<\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n The top hockey league in the world provided an appetizer \u2014 the 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025 \u2014 to tease what is sure to be a delicious main dish of Olympic proportions.\u00a0<\/p>\n A 12-nation tasting menu that finally includes Canada\u2019s Connor McDavid, the United States\u2019 Auston Matthews, Germany\u2019s Leon Draisaitl, Czechia\u2019s David Pastrnak and so many more.\u00a0<\/p>\n Delectably fast-paced. Rich in high-level skill. A display of hockey\u2019s unrivaled form that will have you salivating for more.\u00a0<\/p>\n The NHL is what\u2019s new at this year\u2019s 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\u2019s what it sounds like.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cProbably Auston is the biggest [celebrity],\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBut, 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\u2019s and women\u2019s hockey have come up to us. And honestly, in all sports. It\u2019s been really, really cool so far. I\u2019ve really enjoyed them.\u201d<\/p>\n Of the 148 NHL players across 11 countries competing in Milan, 125 are making their Olympics debuts. Gold is on everyone\u2019s minds, and so is the glory that will come with winning this Olympic tournament in particular.<\/p>\n United States forward Auston Matthews takes part in a men\u2019s ice hockey practice during the 2026 Winter Olympics. AP<\/p>\n Hockey and the NHL will have more reach over the next two weeks than it has in over a decade.<\/p>\n As much as this tournament will be about national pride, it is a massive opportunity to grow the game and attract new fans. The players, coaches, executives and league have to treat it as such. This is their moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Everyone has been clamoring for a Canada-USA rematch since the two nations put on a riveting show in a pair of games at the 4 Nations tournament. With two star-studded lineups and two of the most experienced head coaches \u2014 British Columbia\u2019s Jon Cooper and Massachusetts\u2019 Mike Sullivan<\/a> \u2014 behind their respective benches, the anticipation has been tangible for years.\u00a0<\/p>\n