Jan 16, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers ahead Connor McDavid (97) carries the puck round Toronto Maple Leafs ahead Auston Matthews (34) in the course of the first interval at Rogers Place. Obligatory Credit score: Perry Nelson-Imagn Photos As hockey followers ready to look at their favourite NHL gamers participate within the 4 Nations Face-Off, the primary best-on-best event since 2016, they obtained extra excellent news forward of puck drop.
The World Cup of Hockey will return in 2028, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman introduced on the Bell Centre in a joint press convention with NHLPA government director Marty Walsh.
“Worldwide best-on-best competitors is essential to our gamers — representing their nations on the ice is of their DNA — and hockey followers find it irresistible,” Bettman stated lower than two hours earlier than Canada and Sweden had been set to satisfy within the opening sport of the 4 Nations event. “Resuming Olympic participation subsequent season and staging a World Cup of Hockey in February 2028 will present expanded alternative for extra gamers to symbolize extra nations in best-on-best competitors.
“With this event — and the World Cup’s return to common rotation — the NHL and NHLPA take a significant step in our joint dedication to worldwide hockey.”
Collectively organized by the NHL and NHLPA, the World Cup of Hockey will function the world’s high gamers competing in a global event. Will probably be the event’s fourth version, which was beforehand held in 1996, 2004, and 2016.
“The gamers love representing their nations on the worldwide hockey stage, and we’re thrilled to choose up on the momentum of the 4 Nations Face-Off by saying the return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2028 to determine a full worldwide calendar of best-on-best,” Walsh stated. “It is likely one of the biggest honors for any participant who will get to play on the worldwide stage carrying their residence nation’s hockey sweater.
“Hockey followers all over the world are about to be handled to distinctive hockey with the perfect gamers on the planet competing in opposition to one another for worldwide hockey glory.”
The World Cup will function NHL guidelines, NHL referees and linesmen, and NHL-sized rinks.
A bidding course of for host cities and venues is predicted to start within the coming months. NHL gamers are additionally set to return to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Video games and once more to the French Alps in 2030.
Staff Canada was good on the 2016 World Cup in Toronto, topping Staff Europe in a best-of-three championship closing.
–Area Degree Media
