NHL ‘expects’ ice surface to be correct size at 2030 Olympics in France
After an Olympic-sized hassle ahead of the Milan Cortina Games, there will be longer, NHL-regulation-size ice in France.
The NHL is planning on the playing surface at the 2030 Olympics to be standard dimensions, deputy commissioner Bill Daly told reporters at the league’s Board of Governors meetings on Monday.
“Both (the NHL and the NHLPA) have made the IIHF very aware that when we participate in the Olympics in 2030 we expect it to be (an) NHL ice surface,” Daly said.
Questions began circling about the arena construction in Milan for the 2026 Games when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Nov. 21 that the league and the NHLPA gave the International Olympic Committee (IOC) a one-month deadline to show progress in the construction of the rink.
Canada assistant coach Peter DeBoer re-raised queries about the length of the ice and its quality during a Dec. 1 appearance on the Real Kyper and Bourne, stating it was “three or four feet” short in length.
Since then, the IIHF confirmed Monday that the change in size happened without an explanation after their initial approval. The federation had shifted from international-sized ice to the NHL’s dimensions ahead of the 2018 Games.
The shorter surface has been previously approved to play on by the NHL during specific Global Series games, including the most recent held in Sweden between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this season.
Milan will mark the first time NHL players return to the event since 2014 in Sochi, Russia, where Canada defeated Sweden 3-0 to earn its second straight gold medal.
The men’s tournament is scheduled for Feb. 11-22, following the women’s tournament set for Feb. 5-19.
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