NHL Gamers Formally Will not Take part in Winter Olympics In Beijing

For days and weeks, issues had been heading within the course of NHL participant Olympic participation getting axed.

On Tuesday, it was reported that there was an settlement between the NHL and NHLPA to not ship gamers to the Olympics, and that was confirmed Wednesday morning.

Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement.

“The Nationwide Hockey League respects and admires the will of NHL Gamers to symbolize their international locations and take part in a ‘greatest on greatest’ match. Accordingly, we now have waited so long as potential to make this determination whereas exploring each obtainable choice to allow our Gamers to take part within the 2022 Winter Olympic Video games,” Bettman mentioned in a press release. “Sadly, given the profound disruption to the NHL’s regular-season schedule brought on by latest COVID-related occasions — 50 video games have already got been postponed by way of Dec. 23 — Olympic participation is not possible. We definitely acknowledge and recognize the efforts made by the Worldwide Olympic Committee, the Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation and the Beijing Organizing Committee to host NHL Gamers however present circumstances have made it inconceivable for us to proceed regardless of everybody’s greatest efforts. We stay up for Olympic participation in 2026.

“Our focus and aim have been and should stay to responsibly and safely full everything of the NHL common season and Stanley Cup Playoffs in a well timed method. Due to this fact, with stringent well being protocols as soon as once more in place, we’ll start using obtainable dates throughout the Feb. 6-22 window (initially contemplated to accommodate Olympic participation) to reschedule video games which were, or might but be, postponed.”

NHLPA govt director Don Fehr launched a press release, which furthers the notion that the NHL and NHLPA agreed that this was the correct name.

“Because the CBA extension was reached 17 months in the past, NHL gamers have regarded ahead with nice anticipation to as soon as once more taking part within the Winter Olympics,” Fehr mentioned. “Till very just lately, we gave the impression to be on a transparent path to go to Beijing. COVID-19 has sadly intervened, forcing dozens of video games to be postponed this month alone. Irrespective of how a lot we want it weren’t the case, we have to make the most of the Olympic interval to reschedule these video games.