NHL, NHLPA, IOC and IIHF finalize agreement for players to participate in 2026 Olympics
The NHL, NHLPA and international officials on Wednesday finalized a
long-ago agreed-to deal
to send players to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
The league, union, International Ice Hockey Federation and International Olympic Committee confirmed the participation of NHL players at the games for the first time since 2014. The groups negotiated the agreement and announced it initially last year.
IIHF president Luc Tardif called it 'a major step forward for our sport.'
The final touches took time to figure out after officials insisted for months they were not concerned about the lack of a signed document. The deal opens the door for NHL participation to continue in 2030, something that had also been agreed to in February 2024.
Last month, the 12 participating countries
unveiled the first six players
on their Olympic rosters. The
men's hockey tournament
at the 2026 Games is scheduled to run from Feb. 11-22.
___
AP NHL:
https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
29 minutes ago
- CBS News
Colorado Avalanche sign veteran defenseman Brent Burns to 1-year deal
Veteran defenseman Brent Burns signed a 1-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, the club announced. It ended a short free agency stint for Burns this summer, who has spent the past three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. Further terms of the contract, including the salary were not disclosed. We have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Brent Burns. — Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 3, 2025 The 40-year-old, six-time NHL all-star brings a strong, veteran presence to the Avs' backend core led by defensemen Cale Makar and Devon Toews. Although, Burns' superstar status has waned in recent years, he continued to fill big minutes in Carolina. That included helping the Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference Final twice in the past three years. Burns has been known for his strength as an offensive contributor throughout his career, famously as a member of the San Jose Sharks In the past four seasons between San Jose and Carolina, Burns has laced up his skates for all 82 regular season games from 2021 to the end of the 2024-2025 season. Burns is expected to fill a smaller role as a Colorado Avalanche, providing much-welcomed depth at the position.
New York Times
30 minutes ago
- New York Times
Notable free agents: Brent Burns
The NHL's free agency period is here. Follow along throughout with our live coverage as the league's teams make moves. Getty Images Getty Images Team at end of 2024-25: Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes Position: Defenseman Defenseman Shoots: Right Right Age: 40 40 Previous contract: 8 years, $8,000,000 AAV 8 years, $8,000,000 AAV 2024-25 stats: 6 goals, 29 points, 20:57 ATOI, plus-7, 82 GP The owner of the NHL's second-longest consecutive games played streak at 925 games, the 40-year-old workhorse is coming off a season in which he played 21 minutes per night for Carolina. His offensive production has trended down with age, but he's still pretty mobile for a large man and can give you some spot duty on a power play, when needed. I love this extension for Demko, who is getting paid like the elite goalie he is despite an injury riddled 2024-25. It's a gamble for Vancouver, but it's so difficult to find a goalie of this caliber that this feels like it's worth the risk. Nikolaj Ehlers starts the day as the top UFA on our board -- and for good reason. He's a dynamic, puck-transporting winger who more than makes up for occasional moments of chaos with top scoring rates at five-on-five and the power play. Carolina continues to sound like the frontrunner -- they have an aggressive mindset and cap space to burn -- but the Washington Capitals will also make a push. It's believed that fit and a desire to win are at the top of Ehlers' wishlist, while his status as the top forward should get him paid: The list of hopeful suitors will go well beyond Washington and Carolina. Stankoven, newly extended by Carolina, came to the Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen deal. He fit the team's style well — 'He's very comfortable playing the way we want to play," general manager Eric Tulsky said — and had five goals in 15 playoff games, helping the Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference final. Stankoven, who is only 22, had 14 goals and 38 points in his first full NHL season last year. This extension is a bet that he will continue to develop. For Stankoven, it gives him long-term security in a place where he's quickly become a fast fit. GO FURTHER Logan Stankoven fitting in fast with Hurricanes after being other side of NHL trade deadline blockbuster Getty Images Team at end of 2024-25: Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes Position: Defenseman Defenseman Shoots: Left Left Age: 33 33 Previous contract: 2 years, $7,750,000 AAV 2 years, $7,750,000 AAV 2024-25 stats: 6 goals, 28 points, 20:00 ATOI, plus-16, 76 GP The Hurricanes may not have been the best fit for Orlov's preferred style of play, and a rough ending to the playoffs may ultimately affect his market. So, consider this a buy-low opportunity. Orlov has been an excellent two-way defender throughout his career and can handle the physical demands of the position. Getty Images Logan Stankoven is signing an eight-year extension with Carolina Hurricanes carrying a $6M AAV. Stankoven was dealt to Carolina in March, appearing in 19 games and scoring five goals for the Hurricanes in the regular season. During the postseason, he recorded eight points in 15 games. Getty Images Team at end of 2024-25: Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Position: Center, Winger Center, Winger Shoots: Left Left Age: 29 29 Previous contract: 2 years, $1,600,000 AAV 2 years, $1,600,000 AAV 2024-25 stats: 25 goals, 46 points, 17:21 ATOI, plus-2, 81 GP A Swiss Army Knife-type coming off the best season of his career, Suter profiles as a third-line center who can be moved around a lineup as needed. What he lacks in pure foot speed, he makes up for with an ability to process the game at a high level, which keeps him a step ahead positionally on the ice. During his time with the Canucks, Suter also showed that he can handle tough matchups, which is why he could command as much as $5 million per season on the open market. Joel Hanley signs a two-year extension in Calgary carrying a $1.75M AAV. Getty Images Team at end of 2024-25: New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils Position: Goaltender Goaltender Age: 34 34 Previous contract: 2 years, $3,850,000 AAV 2 years, $3,850,000 AAV 2024-25 stats: 13-16-1, 2.66 GAA, .906 save percentage A well-known commodity who has appeared in more than 450 career NHL games, Allen was a bright spot in the No. 2 role for the Devils this season. Not only was his .906 save percentage right in line with his career average, but also his goals saved above expected per 60 minutes ranked among the top goalies in the entire league. Allen stands above a thin free-agent class at his position. Getty Images Ten years ago, in a time of major change and uncertainty, the Maple Leafs made a decision that would alter the course of the franchise. It was draft weekend in Florida and the Leafs owned the fourth pick following a disastrous 68-point season. Mike Babcock, the new Leafs coach with the sway of an unprecedented eight-year contract, thought his team should consider using their top pick on a defenceman, like Noah Hanifin or Ivan Provorov. Mark Hunter, who shared the interim GM's role at that point with Kyle Dubas, thought otherwise. Tasked with overseeing the draft, Hunter opted for the forward he knew best from his years running the OHL's London Knights: Mitch Marner. 'Him being such a local boy, he will be able to handle the rigours of playing in Toronto,' Hunter said not long after the draft concluded in June 2015. 'Mitch Marner's gonna be a good player for the Toronto Maple Leafs.' Marner wasn't just a good player for the Maple Leafs. He was a great player, one of the greatest in more than 100 years of franchise history. GO FURTHER It shouldn't have been this way for Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs Getty Images Team at end of 2024-25: Dallas Stars Dallas Stars Position: Center, Winger Center, Winger Shoots: Left Left Age: 33 33 Previous contract: 4 years, $5,000,000 AAV 4 years, $5,000,000 AAV 2024-25 stats: 22 goals, 66 points, 19:27 ATOI, even, 83 GP Granlund enjoyed a nice run to the conference final with the Stars after coming over from San Jose in a midseason trade, and he illustrated exactly what he is in those two disparate situations — a useful middle-six winger on a contender who can handle top-line duty on a weaker roster. His experience and versatility are a plus, as is that he can contribute to both special-teams units and handle his business in the faceoff dot. A steady player all around. Per the team, the New York Islanders have signed defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a one-year contract. The 29-year-old recorced 19 points in 35 games for the Islanders last season. Getty Images Team at end of 2024-25: Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings Position: Defenseman Defenseman Shoots: Left Left Age: 29 29 Previous contract: 2 years, $5,875,000 AAV 2 years, $5,875,000 AAV 2024-25 stats: 5 goals, 30 points, 23:05 ATOI, plus-26, 82 GP While Gavrikov may not be a household name, he was a top-pairing defenseman on one of the stingiest defensive outfits in the league this season. That's earned him plenty of admirers across the NHL. The Kings' leader in total ice time this season, Gavrikov is known as a player who seals the wall and keeps the game in front of him. There's also an element of physicality and bite to his game that prevents opponents from getting through him, and he keeps the play moving, which is reflected in the high-end possession metrics Los Angeles produced with him on the ice. While Gavrikov lacks the offensive tools and production to be viewed as a No. 1 defenseman, he has a credible case as a No. 2. Getty Images The Flyers may have already made their biggest acquisition of the offseason with Trevor Zegras last week, but general manager Daniel Briere has said he's still on the lookout for more help at center. One name that could be on their radar is Pius Suter, particularly after 29-year-old's grew under Rick Tocchet in their two seasons together in Vancouver. Suter posted 14 goals and 29 points in 67 games with the Canucks in 2023-24, and reached a career-high in goals (25) and points (46) in 81 games last season. As a responsible, cerebral 200-foot forward that can play up and down the lineup, perhaps the Flyers envision Suter with talented winger Matvei Michkov, who is still learning the finer points of NHL play in all three zones but who will always be a player that takes risks offensively. Perhaps Suter is someone that can help mitigate those risks. Getty Images Team at end of 2024-25: Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Position: Winger Winger Shoots: Right Right Age: 28 28 Previous contract: 3 years, $6,650,000 AAV 3 years, $6,650,000 AAV 2024-25 stats: 25 goals, 50 points, 18:10 ATOI, minus-25, 75 GP He's scored at a 30-goals-per-82-game pace across his NHL career, while only actually cresting that mark once, when he scored 40 times in 2023-24. Boeser is a pure sniper with a dangerous release, which makes him a threat both on the power play and at even strength. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued him at times during his career, but there's no getting around that he excels at the most difficult thing in the game to do. Getting a fresh start after a difficult final season in Vancouver could put some wind in his sails. Getty Images The economics courses Don Sweeney took at Harvard imprinted the law of supply and demand on the future Boston Bruins general manager. Four decades later, Sweeney is feeling the principle firsthand. Because of a collision of circumstances, including the rising salary cap and a cluster of clubs in win-now mode, NHL free agency is dawning on a market that can generously be defined as limited. Mitch Marner is a Vegas Golden Knight. Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand are staying in South Florida. Any GMs who were counting on addressing all their needs with their checkbooks could be left short-handed. You can see, then, why Sweeney moved quickly to settle his internal affairs ahead of the market opening. He made it a priority to re-up Morgan Geekie, who could have reached restricted free agency, well before arbitration and offer sheets could have been on the table. He also took care of Johnny Beecher, Mike Callahan, Michael DiPietro, Henri Jokiharju, Marat Khusnutdinov and Georgii Merkulov. Because at this rate, who knows what Brock Boeser will earn? The Bruins would like to sign the right wing. He would be a very good second-wave attacker behind David Pastrnak. Nikolaj Ehlers qualifies in this category too. The Bruins are not alone. GO FURTHER Would Brock Boeser be worth the price for the Bruins? 8 alternatives in a closing market Getty Images Team at end of 2024-25: Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Jets Position: Winger Winger Shoots: Left Left Age: 29 29 Previous contract: 7 years, $6,000,000 AAV 7 years, $6,000,000 AAV 2024-25 stats: 24 goals, 63 points, 15:48 ATOI, plus-14, 69 GP Steady as a drumbeat, Ehlers has been an automatic 20-plus-goal player for a decade and consistently drives play for teammates. While not physically imposing at 6 feet and 172 pounds, he backs opponents off with his immense skill. Ehlers can both start plays and finish them, and he's posted a 55 percent expected goals percentage at even strength through more than 600 career NHL games. He's also a power-play threat who produced points at the best rate of his NHL career this season. While he'd be a useful top-six addition for basically every team in the league, there may be some durability concerns with Ehlers over the long haul. Goaltender Thatcher Demko has agreed to terms with the Vancouver Canucks on a three-year contract with a $8.5 million AAV. 'Thatcher is one of the top goalies in the National Hockey League and a key leader in our locker room,' Canucks GM Patrik Allvin said in a statement. 'His desire to continue his career in Vancouver says a lot about what we are trying to accomplish and where this organization is headed. Demmer is one of the hardest working players on our team and gives our group great confidence when he takes the net. A complete package of size, strength, rebound control, and athletic ability, our players know that they have an opportunity to win each and every game he plays.'
USA Today
37 minutes ago
- USA Today
MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month for June: Merab Dvalishvili chokes Sean O'Malley
MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month for June: Dvalishvili taps O'Malley in rematch With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submissions from June 2025: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month award for June. At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice. Nominee: Kevin Holland def. Vicente Luque at UFC 316 Kevin Holland (28-13 MMA, 15-10 UFC) flipped the script when he tapped Vicente Luque (23-11-1 MMA, 16-7 UFC) with a choke similar to the Brazilian's signature maneuver in their welterweight bout. Holland defeated Vicente Luque with an anaconda choke (officially announced as a D'Arce choke) just 63 seconds into the second round,. The submission came after a strong first-round effort put forth by Holland, as he stunned Luque with a big standing elbow that wobbled him. Holland swarmed, but Luque was able to evade and make it long enough to get submitted. Nominee: Kayla Harrison def. Julianna Peña at UFC 316 First, an Olympic gold medalist. Then, a PFL champion. Now, a UFC champion. Kayla Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) added a new trophy for the case in emphatic fashion when she put away Julianna Peña (13-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) to claim women's bantamweight gold. The first round was all Harrison, as she dragged Peña to the canvas with relative ease. Though the moment proved not to matter in the end, referee Vitor Ribeiro deducted a point from Peña for multiple illegal upkicks to the grounded Harrison. Early in Round 2, Harrison dragged the fight back to the canvas, where she grabbed hold of Peña's arm in a kimura and torqued until the submission came. Nominee: Ronnie Gibbs def. Biaggio Ali Walsh at 2025 PFL World Tournament 7 One of the biggest upsets in PFL history – and the sport – was registered courtesy of Ronnie Gibbs (2-0) against Biaggio Ali Walsh (2-1) Ali Walsh, grandson of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and one of PFL's most promoted names, was submitted by promotional newcomerGibbs in a shocking result. Ali Walsh entered the bout on some sports books as high as a -2000 favorite. Gibbs was also fighting at lightweight, a weight class above his usual fighting weight of 145 pounds. Nominee: Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Kara-France at UFC 317 Alexandre Pantoja (30-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) is still on top of the UFC's flyweight division after turning in another dominant title defense against Kai Kara-France (25-12 MMA, 8-5 UFC) . The fight was one-way traffic throughout for the champion. Pantoja kept the pressure high by getting Kara-France to the ground early in Round 3. He once again found the back with plenty of time to work. This time, Pantoja went harder for the submission. He found the rear-naked choke opening and clamped down until the tap came. The winner: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O'Malley at UFC 316 Merab Dvalishvili is a "Machine." In the UFC 316 main event, Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC) defeated Sean O'Malley (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) even more emphatically than he did the first time the two fought, as he retained his title via North-South neck crank. The stoppage came at 4:42 of Round 3. Dvalishvili found success in the opening round, as he relied on his signature relentless pace and aggression. O'Malley tried his best to fend off takedown attempts, but they came repeatedly at him. Dvalishvili mixed in his striking in the clinch and on the ground. In Round 2, O'Malley found increasing success. In one particular sequence he cracked Dvalishvili with a hard left hand on the break. But Dvalishvili kept moving forward. The round ended with a crazy spinning sequence from both fighters, who somehow ended up tied up with one another when the bell sounded. The crowd let them know their appreciation. Round 3 saw Dvalishvili drag O'Malley down. Just as the crowd became restless, Dvalishvili shifted into North-South position, grabbed hold, and cranked. Then came the tap. Cast Your Vote!
