At a Glance
- The Milan Olympic hockey arena remains under construction with games starting February 5
- NHL and players’ union officials inspected the site over the weekend
- Test events revealed ongoing challenges with new ice and unfinished facilities
- Why it matters: NHL players’ Olympic participation hangs in the balance with less than a month remaining
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association issued a joint statement Monday acknowledging serious concerns about the Milan Cortina Olympic hockey arena, which remains under construction just weeks before competition begins.
League and union officials visited the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena over the weekend to evaluate test events designed to assess the facility’s readiness. The inspection revealed significant challenges as workers race to complete locker rooms and other essential facilities before the February games.
“While challenges are inherent with new ice and a still-under-construction venue, we expect that the work necessary to address all remaining issues will continue around the clock,” the NHL and NHLPA stated. “The NHL and NHLPA will continue to monitor the situation, standing ready to consult and advise on the work being done to ensure that the local organizing committee, the IOC, and the IIHF deliver a tournament and playing conditions befitting the world’s best players.”
Test Events Expose Major Issues
The weekend test events, which featured games to evaluate the ice surface quality, highlighted the facility’s incomplete state. Players competed on brand-new ice while construction crews continued working on surrounding infrastructure.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed receiving concerning reports about the arena’s condition. “There are still challenges because the building is still under construction and the ice is new,” Bettman said during an event in Buffalo, New York.
Despite these challenges, Bettman expressed cautious optimism about the timeline. “We’ve been assured that, or we expect, that everything that needs to be done on a timely basis will get done,” he noted.
NHL’s Limited Role Creates Uncertainty
Bettman emphasized the league’s restricted influence over Olympic preparations. “But, as you know, it’s not our event. We’re invited guests,” he stated. “But we’ve offered to help and consult and advise as they feel they need and would be appropriate because we do have a little bit of expertise in that area.”
The commissioner’s comments underscore a critical tension: while the NHL has significant experience managing professional hockey venues, Olympic organizers control the final decisions about facility readiness.
International Ice Hockey Federation President Luc Tardif recently joined other Milan officials in expressing confidence that NHL players will participate as scheduled. This optimism comes despite mounting concerns about the incomplete rink with less than a month before competition begins.
Women’s Tournament Faces Imminent Deadline
The timing pressure intensifies with the women’s hockey tournament set to begin February 5, followed by the men’s competition starting February 11. This compressed timeline leaves minimal room for addressing the construction delays and ice quality issues identified during testing.
Bettman acknowledged that personal inspection will provide better insight into the situation. “Bettman believes he’ll have a better idea of where things stand in Milan once he arrives,” James O Connor Fields reported.
The commissioner reaffirmed the league’s commitment to Olympic participation, stating: “It’s always been important for our players to play best on best at the Olympics. That’s why we agreed to take the break and have them go.”
Decision Authority Remains With Olympic Officials
However, Bettman deflected questions about potential contingencies, noting that final decisions rest with Olympic authorities. “In the final analysis, that question has to get answered by the IOC and the IIHF,” he concluded.
This statement places responsibility squarely on the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation to determine whether the facility meets competition standards or if alternative arrangements become necessary.
The joint NHL-NHLPA statement reinforced this position while maintaining pressure on organizers: “The NHL and NHLPA will continue to monitor the situation, standing ready to consult and advise on the work being done to ensure that the local organizing committee, the IOC, and the IIHF deliver a tournament and playing conditions befitting the world’s best players.”
Key Takeaways
- The Milan Olympic hockey arena faces a race against time with major construction work ongoing
- NHL officials conducted weekend inspections but retain only advisory authority
- Women’s hockey competition begins February 5, creating urgent deadline pressure
- Final facility approval rests with Olympic organizers, not the NHL
- Weekend test events revealed ongoing challenges with new ice and incomplete infrastructure
