NHL commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his disappointment regarding the delay in the completion of the main arena for ice hockey at the upcoming Olympics in February. The Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, is still under construction, with the ice installation expected to be completed by the end of this month or early January, leaving little room for adjustments if needed.
The temporary arena, developed by a private company, started construction late, causing concern for both NHL players returning to the Olympics after more than a decade and the women’s hockey tournament. Bettman emphasized the challenges in ensuring the players’ participation, including the need to plan a two-week season shutdown. He described the situation as “disappointing.”
To address the ice quality concerns, NHL ice technicians are currently in Italy providing expertise. A test event at the Rho Ice Hockey Arena, the secondary venue for hockey, received positive feedback on the ice conditions. However, the ultimate test will be during the Jan. 9-11 event at Santagiulia, where the ice will undergo scrutiny under game conditions and spectator presence.
Despite the delays, International Olympic Committee officials downplayed worries about the ice quality at the venue. While the main arena’s construction remains ongoing, concerns about the ice dimensions have been resolved. The ice surfaces in Milan will be slightly shorter but wider than NHL standards, aligning with IIHF regulations and previous Olympic Games.
Daly clarified past misunderstandings with the IIHF regarding ice dimensions, emphasizing the priority of player safety. The coach of the national women’s team and players expressed understanding and readiness to adapt to any circumstances, focusing on their current preparations and leaving concerns about the ice conditions to be resolved by the relevant authorities.