Stars of the highest calibre Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid welcome the inclusion of NHL players at the 2026 Winter Olympics

It’s still only a few hours since the NHL officially announced that the Olympic hockey tournament in 2026 and 2030 will once again feature NHL hockey players. The reactions were, of course, not long in coming. The last two gold medals with the stars of the best league in the world were won by Sidney Crosby. Connor McDavid hasn’t had a chance to play in the Olympics so far.

The last time an NHL star appeared at the Winter Olympics was in 2014

The last time NHL hockey players played at the 2014 Olympics was in Sochi, when Team Canada triumphed. It was the fifth time that stars from the world’s best hockey league were present.

In Nagano, Japan, in 1998, the Czechs triumphed sensationally, knocking out both overseas powers on their way to gold.

The Maple Leafs made up for it four years later when they faced the USA in the final of the tournament in Salt Lake City. In 2006, it was Sweden’s team that rejoiced. In 2010, Team Canada and Team USA met again in the final. The final was decided by Sidney Crosby’s golden goal. He is unique, as he also managed to score a goal in the final 4 years later.

Since then, no NHL stars have played in the Olympic hockey tournament. This has been rapidly reflected in the quality of the hockey tournament itself. So the announcement that we would see the best again in two years’ time caused a wave of excitement.

Sidney Crosby wants a third Olympics

Sidney Crosby himself has expressed his desire to represent Team Canada again, even though he will be 38 years old by the time the 2026 Winter Olympics are held in Turin. This season, when he is 36 years old, he still has more than one point per game. In 47 games played, he already has 50 points. He is even on course to break the 50 goals in a season mark for the second time in his career.

THE 15TH PLAYER IN NHL HISTORY TO RECORD 1,500 POINTS!

With three points today, Sidney Crosby becomes the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to 1,500 points. pic.twitter.com/jostCKXdFl

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 8, 2023

And who else should be captain but Crosby himself? He revealed to the NHL that he never thinks ahead and that he is aware that he has to earn his place in the national team as well.

McDavid wants to finally represent Canada at the Winter Olympics

The best hockey player in recent years, Connor McDavid, hasn’t even had the opportunity to participate in an Olympic tournament yet. He was 17 years old at the time of the Sochi Games and has not had the opportunity to represent his country. It is therefore not at all surprising that he has lobbied for players to be able to take part in the event again and proudly represent their country.

McDavid immediately described it as a dream come true and said he saw it as an important decision for all of hockey to help grow the sport both internationally and in his home country.

Source: NHL