NHL Players Return to 2026 Milano Winter Olympics as Victor Hedman Faces Doping Test Delay

NHL players have made a significant return to the Winter Olympics in Milano in 2026 after more than a decade-long absence. NHL athletes first competed in the Olympics in 1998 and participated through 2014, when NHL owners decided to stop allowing their players to take part. However, persistent pressure from the players led to their return in the current tournament.

Among the Swedish team, Tre Kronor, notable NHL players including William Nylander, Gabriel Landeskog, Erik Karlsson, and Victor Hedman are participating. Hedman, however, missed a scheduled press conference due to a doping control in the Olympic Village that took longer than expected, according to Linus Hugosson, the team's press officer. The doping test procedure can vary in duration, as highlighted humorously by Anna Kjellbin of the women's team, who mentioned it can range from fifteen minutes to six hours.

Tre Kronor arrived in Milano a day before and conducted their first training session, preparing to begin their Olympic tournament against Italy on Wednesday. Media access to subsequent training sessions is limited.

This return of NHL players marks the sixth Olympic tournament since the NHL's initial involvement in 1998, underscoring the importance of NHL talent in international competition and the athletes' determination to represent their countries on this prestigious stage.