‘Tried to keep up hope’: NHL stars poised for Olympic return in 2026 after lengthy wait

[ad_1] Sidney Crosby at all times held out hope.

The 2-time Olympic gold medallist additionally tried to maintain a stage head.

His identify already etched in Canada's sporting lore after scoring the spine-tingling time beyond regulation winner within the males's hockey ultimate on dwelling soil on the 2010 Vancouver Video games, Crosby adopted that up by main a dominant, second podium-topping efficiency 4 years later.

One other likelihood at worldwide glory, nevertheless, was removed from sure for No. 87.

The NHL first skipped the 2018 Video games in South Korea for monetary causes following a run of 5 straight tournaments between 1998 and 2014. The league was then compelled to drag the plug on its 2022 participation in China due to COVID-19 considerations.

An athlete's time is finite. Regardless of nonetheless being an awe-inspiring drive 20 years into what is definitely a Corridor of Fame profession, Crosby wasn't positive if his alternative to compete on the sporting world's largest stage had already come and gone.

"It is simply a kind of issues you'll be able to't actually management," the Pittsburgh Penguins captain and centre stated on the current NHL/NHLPA pre-season participant media tour in Las Vegas. "However I wish to assume I am an optimistic individual ... I attempted to keep up hope that it could work out. It is a kind of issues, how are you going to regulate that?

"You actually cannot."

Crosby, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, and the remainder of the NHL's largest stars stayed affected person.

Now they're poised to go again below the brightest lights this winter when the league makes its Video games' return — because of agreements between the NHL, NHL Gamers' Affiliation, Worldwide Olympic Committee and Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation — at February's 2026 Milan-Cortina showcase in Italy, ending a 12-year absence.

"Very excited," Toronto Maple Leafs ahead and Swedish maestro William Nylander stated. "That is one thing that as a child you've got at all times dreamt of."

The hockey world was reintroduced to best-on-best males's hockey — or as shut as attainable with Russia banned from worldwide competitors due to its continued battle in Ukraine — throughout final season's NHL-run 4 Nations Face-Off.

Canada picked up a dramatic OT victory when Connor McDavid fired dwelling from the slot within the ultimate in opposition to america in an occasion that additionally included Sweden and Finland.

WATCH | McDavid the OT hero as Canada downs U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off ultimate: McDavid scores OT winner as Canada edges U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off championship sport

Canada defeats america 3-2 in time beyond regulation as Connor McDavid scores the winner within the 4 Nations Face-Off ultimate. That appetizer was tantalizing. The principle course is simply over 4 months away.

"The talent stage goes to be amplified," Colorado Avalanche and Canadian defenceman Cale Makar stated. "That is the quickest hockey anyone's ever performed."

The 12-team Olympic area will probably be rounded out by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Latvia, Denmark, France and hosts Italy, with six gamers from every nation having already been named to preliminary rosters.

Vegas Golden Knights centre Jack Eichel — like McDavid, Makar, Nylander, Canada's Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews of the U.S. and a number of others amongst a era of elite expertise but to style the Video games — stated that whereas hockey is the No. 1 focus, your complete spectacle will probably be memorable.

"It is one thing that we have wished for some time," stated the American ahead. "Simply to be on the Olympics, I believe that is such a cool factor to be part of. I do know it is one thing I've dreamt of ... like, what an honour, what an unimaginable expertise. I could not be extra excited that we're getting the chance."

Florida Panthers and Canadian winger Sam Reinhart stated regardless of that overwhelming anticipation, getting off to begin to the NHL schedule is the main focus for now.

"That is solely going that will help you," he stated. "And belief that when that second comes, that you will be at your finest, and you are going to put within the work, and that you will have that juice."

Makar stated that whereas the Video games may really feel near these on the surface, the occasion continues to be many powerful nights of battling within the NHL away for each himself and his contemporaries.

"Everyone retains speaking about how shut it's," he stated. "For those who're an Olympic athlete, you've got been coaching for 4 years, so it appears actually shut now. However I believe for us, since we now have this different job that we now have to do and give attention to first ... it nonetheless feels prefer it's an extended methods off."

Boston Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy of the U.S. was making ready to go to Beijing for the 2022 Video games when the plug was pulled. The elation on his finish is tough to include.

"It will occur ... you understand you are going to the match," he stated. "In so some ways, I've already begun the method of simply being overjoyed and excited for it. What a dream come true."

Crosby has lived that second twice earlier than. Now one other sits proper across the nook.

"[I was] hoping that it could work itself out," Crosby stated. "And it undoubtedly has."

WATCH l McDavid, Crosby prepared for largest worldwide stage: With NHL's return to Olympics, McDavid and Crosby are prepared for largest worldwide stage

CBC Sports activities was in Calgary and spoke to the NHL's prime Canadian gamers about what it means to be going again to the Olympic Video games after 12 years. [ad_2] Source link