If NHL players feel the quality of the ice at the upcoming Olympics in Milan isn’t safe, “then we’re not going to play,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.
As NHL players prepare to return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, two issues have arisen around the Santagiulia Arena in Milan where both men’s and women’s hockey is set to take place: the size of the surface rink and the quality of the ice.
According to The Athletic, the 60-meter (196.85 ft x 85.3 ft) by 26-meter surface in Milan, approved by the International Ice Hockey Federation, is more than three feet shorter than the 200-foot length required in the NHL.
Though the Milan surface is a fraction wider than the required NHL specifications, many are reportedly concerned it is not enough to make up for the shorter rink given the frequency of high-speed collisions that are part of the sport.
“While these dimensions differ slightly from a typical NHL rink, they are consistent with IIHF regulations, match the rink size used at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and are fully consistent with the dimensions the NHL requires as part of its Global Series Game arena specifications,” the IIHF said in a statement released by the Milano Cortina Foundation.
“All involved, the IIHF, the Organizing Committee, NHL, NHLPA, IOC and the relevant venue authorities agree that the differences in rink specifications are insignificant, and should not impact either the safety or quality of game play.”
Additionally, construction issues at the Santagiulia Arena have delayed its completion date to Feb. 2, just three days before the women’s ice hockey tournament is set to begin, with testing at the new arena not taking place until Jan. 9-11.
NHLPA assistant executive director Ron Hainsey told Sportsnet on Saturday the players are more concerned about the quality of the ice than the size of the surface, especially considering two regular-season games were successfully played as part of the NHL’s Global Series in Stockholm’s Avicii Arena, which is similar in size to the Santagiulia Arena surface.
“The health and safety of our players while playing on any surface will not be compromised,” he said.
The women’s tournament will take place at Santagiulia Arena and Milano Rho Arena from Feb. 5-19. The men’s tournament will also split time between the two arenas, kicking off Feb. 11 with five games played in the first 30 hours, and concluding with the gold medal game on Feb. 22.
Daly told reporters Monday at the league’s board of governors meetings in Colorado Springs he didn’t think the construction issues were “insurmountable” but that the NHL was increasing its efforts to ensure the safety and playability of the ice in Milan.
“We have offered and they’re utilizing our ice experts and technicians and outside providers,” Daly said. “We’re basically moving everybody there to try to help get this done in a way that’s acceptable for NHL athletes. And I’m cautiously optimistic it will be fruitful.”
Daly said there is no contingency plan if the league’s needs aren’t met.
“I mean, it kind of is what it is,” Daly said. “Having said that, if you’re faced with that being the reality, then you have to think about what you do next. … What I’d say is, I think in emergency-type situations like that in the past, I think we’ve responded appropriately, came up with good solutions and I have no doubt that we’ll be able to come up with good solutions if we’re faced with that.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be co-hosted by Milan and the alpine resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo from Feb. 6-22.
