Are NHL players in the Olympics? How many are playing and Olympic village question fascinate fans

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be special.

NHL players have been away for a long time. The last time they were allowed was 2014.

Well, until now. They're back.

Are NHL players in the Olympics?

Yes, NHL players are competing in the Olympics in Italy this year.

The league took a multi-week break to allow for its top players to represent their countries at these Olympics.

There were two Olympics back-to-back without NHL players, in 2018 and 2022.

Aside from the lack of a Russian team, this is a best-on-best tourney in Milan.

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How many NHL players are at the Olympics?

The NHL released an official answer to this: There are 149 NHL players at the Olympics.

There are 12 teams participating, with the players split between the dozen.

Are NHL players staying in the Olympic Village?

The plan is for NHL players to stay in the Olympic Village.

That has a chance to change, though.

The women's hockey tournament has included outbreaks of norovirus in the early going, and if that persists, there are reportedly alternate plans for the men's hockey players to get a different setup.

Team USA and Canada could set the trend here in particular, and they'll both be chasing that gold medal and want no obstacles, like a virus, in their way.

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