IIHF president Luc Tardif on Olympic arena delays: ‘We’re going to have a tournament’

International Ice Hockey Federation president Luc Tardif answers a question at a press conference in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

SAINT PAUL — International Ice Hockey Federation president Luc Tardif expects a “fantastic tournament” when NHL players return to the Olympics next month — despite some significant construction delays at the main arena.

Speaking ahead of the gold- and bronze-medal games at the world junior hockey championship Monday, Tardif added that although parts of the rink might not be fully finished in time, the playing surface, practice facilities and dressing rooms will be ready when the puck drops for the men’s event at the Milan Cortina Games on Feb. 11.

The women’s tournament gets going even earlier on Feb. 5.

Tardif added the arena — known as Hockey 1 — will not be “exactly” what he expected in terms of capacity, with the number of seats set at 11,800. The NHL last participated at the Olympics in 2014.

The IIHF boss says he will be travelling to Italy along with officials from the NHL and NHL Players’ Association later this week for a test event at the venue.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said last month the league will pull the plug on sending its players if there are any safety concerns with the ice.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2026

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press