Advertisement

NHL players might not participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Here's why.

By The Sports Xchange
Members of U.S.A. celebrate after defeating Czech Republic 5-2 during their quarterfinal match at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 19, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
Members of U.S.A. celebrate after defeating Czech Republic 5-2 during their quarterfinal match at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 19, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

The chances of NHL players participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics are diminishing.

Commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday before the start of the Stanley Cup finals in Pittsburgh that insurance and travel costs might keep the NHL from releasing its players for the Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Advertisement

"I am pretty sure our teams are not really interested in paying of the privilege of disrupting our season, but we will have to see what they ultimately decide to do," Bettman said in his annual State of the League speech.

The International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation subsidized the travel and insurance costs for past Olympics, but they might not in 2018.

Bettman said if the IOC and IIHF can't come to an agreement on the issue, "I have no doubt that it will have a significant impact on our decision." The NHL would be on the hook for "many, many millions of dollars" should the other parties not step up, according to Bettman.

NHL players started participating in the Olympics in 1998 at Nagano, Japan, when the Czech Republic won the gold medal. Subsequent champions were Canada in 2002 in Salt Lake City, 2010 in Vancouver and 2014 in Sochi, Russia; and Sweden in 2006 in Turin, Italy.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines