NHL stars arrive in Milan for first Winter Olympics since 2014

Sidney Crosby was named Team Canada captain, with Connor McDavid and Cale Makar as alternates, mirroring last year's 4 Nations Face-Off leadership.cbc+1
Auston Matthews will captain Team USA in pursuit of the country's first Olympic hockey gold since 1980, with Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy as alternates.usatoday+2
The men's tournament begins Wednesday, with Canada facing Czechia and the U.S. taking on Latvia on Thursday.olympics+1

The National Hockey League's best arrived in Milan on Sunday, marking the end of a 12-year absence from the Winter Olympics that stretches back to Sochi 2014. Fresh off charter flights from New York's JFK International Airport, players from powerhouse nations including Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic took to the ice for their first practices at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

Stars Touch Down in Italy

The majority of the 148 NHL players participating in the Games traveled on five chartered aircraft that landed at Milan's Malpensa airport Sunday morning, though approximately a dozen arranged early travel to Italy. Among those who arrived ahead of the main group were Canada's Connor McDavid, Germany's Leon Draisaitl, Czech goaltender Lukas Dostal, and star forward David Pastrnak.olympics+2

A quartet of American players—Charlie McAvoy, Zach Werenski, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman—arrived early enough to participate in Friday's opening ceremony at San Siro stadium. Swayman described the experience as "an out of body experience".turnto10

"It's crazy to think about now we're here," said Auston Matthews, who was named U.S. captain following practice Sunday. "It definitely hits you once you touch down and get to the Olympic village and get settled in, just how special and cool it is to be here."turnto10

Leadership Announced for Gold Medal Favorites

Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed Sunday that two-time Olympic gold medalist Sidney Crosby will captain Team Canada, with McDavid and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar serving as alternate captains. This mirrors the leadership structure from Canada's gold medal victory at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, where McDavid scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 victory over the United States.cbc+1

"It's an honour to be named captain of Canada's hockey team, which has so many great players and leaders," Crosby said in a statement.cbc

The U.S. team will be led by Matthews, with Matthew Tkachuk and McAvoy as alternates. Matthews, who captains the Toronto Maple Leafs Rogers Communications Inc. , is seeking to lead Team USA to its first Olympic gold medal since 1980.usatoday+2

Looking Beyond Milan

The IOC has expressed hope that NHL participation extends well beyond the confirmed 2026 and 2030 Winter Games. According to The Straits Times, while no firm decision exists for the 2030 French Alps Olympics, there remains "a good basis to discuss it after Milan".straitstimes

IIHF President Luc Tardif has indicated broader ambitions for the partnership. "In 2028, we will try to figure out how to do it also for 2030. And after that, in Salt Lake City in '34, I would be surprised if we organise a competition without the NHL," Tardif said.nationalteamsoficehockey

The men's tournament begins Wednesday, with Canada facing the Czech Republic and the United States taking on Latvia on Thursday. For now, players are focused on rest after a long day of travel and the anticipation of competing on hockey's grandest international stage for the first time in over a decade.olympics+1

"Landing today and kind of going through the whole experience, getting checked into the village, it definitely feels real now," said U.S. forward Jack Eichel. "I think we're all really excited to be here."turnto10

Sources (39)