NHL players “couldn’t be happier” after the league announced it is bringing back the World Cup of Hockey, according to Kevin McGran of the TORONTO STAR. Ideally, the players will all be from the NHL, but Germany and Switzerland “(if invited) aren’t likely to have enough for a full team.” The league said that it will “work with each country’s federation to find a balance.” There are “hurdles, including the participation of Russia.” The country remains banned from events sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation since the invasion of Ukraine, and was not included in the 4 Nations Face-Off (TORONTO STAR, 2/12). NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that the IIHF is “not involved in the tournament,” meaning it will be an “NHL player-only event and federations cannot tap players competing in European leagues” (ESPN.com, 2/12).
NEEDED EVENT: In Ottawa, Bruce Garrioch noted the players “want to have events like this.” NHLPA Assistant Exec Dir Ron Hainsey said, “You’ve seen here how thrilled the guys are to be here.” Hainsey added the NHL is “not soccer as far as a global game, but we’re not that far behind.” Hainsey: “That’s the long-term goal is so that everyone can look forward to these guys playing for their countries on a regular basis” (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 2/12).
WHAT ABOUT THEM? The AP’s Stephen Whyno noted the 4 Nations tournament was “pared down and pushed back” from initial planning because of questions over Russia’s participation given the country’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Those questions “remain about the World Cup.” Bettman indicated that there is “plenty of time left to make a determination on Russian players.” He noted that the IOC “must first decide about them for Milan.” The World Cup of Hockey is being done by the NHL and NHLPA and without the IIHF (AP, 2/12).
GREAT MINDS THNK ALIKE: SPORTSNET.ca’s Luke Fox noted the NHL and NHLPA being “on the same page is a wonderful development for the future of international best-on-best hockey” as a “generation of fans has been deprived.” The plan is to roll out a “robust every-other-February calendar of gimmick-free competition,” starting with the ’26 Games. Gone will be the “one-off teaser tourney” that is this week’s 4 Nations and the slapdash Europe and North America teams that were included in the most recent World Cup in 2016. European cities are “equally welcome to bid on the privilege to host” in 2028, as the NHL is “willing to shutter regular-season operations for approximately 10 to 14 days in an Olympic-like break.” A minimum of eight countries will participate, with the league “open to a play-in format” (SPORTSNET.ca, 2/12).
