Ice pilot at Milan arena pleases NHL bodies

Article posted by Coliseum, January 15^th, 2026

Image: David Chipperfield Architects

The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) said in a statement that they were pleased with the Olympic test event in Milan (Italy) saying it was a “a good trial run and provided “important insight” into the status of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

‘ESPN’ stated that a statement sent out read, “While challenges are inherent with new ice and a still-under-construction venue, we expect that the work necessary to address all remaining issues will continue around the clock. The NHL and the NHLPA will continue to monitor the situation standing ready to consult and advise on the work being done to ensure that the local organizing committee, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) deliver a tournament and playing conditions befitting the world’s best players.”

New York City (US)-based the National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams, 25 in the United States and seven (7) in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional ice hockey league in the world.

The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) is the labor union for the group of professional hockey players who are under Standard Player Contracts to the 32 member clubs in the National Hockey League (NHL) located in the United States and Canada. The association represents its membership in all matters dealing with their working conditions and contractual rights as well as serving as their exclusive collective bargaining agent.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is a worldwide governing body for ice hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 84 member countries.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the international, non-governmental, sports governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, it is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

‘ESPN’ further stated that the Santagiulia Arena, also known as Hockey 1, was open to the public for the first time recently when it hosted a series of Italian Cup games. Typically, Olympic test events occur months if not years before the Games begin. The Men’s Olympic hockey tournament is scheduled from February 11^th-22^th, the Women’s is February 5^th-19^th.

Several NHL and NHLPA representatives were on site for this weekend’s games. Despite some issues, including a hole in the ice that needed to be fixed during one game, the playing surface received decent reviews.

Observed Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, “There are still challenges because the building is still under construction and the ice is new. We’ve been assured that, or we expect, that everything that needs to be done on a timely basis will get done. But, as you know, it’s not our event. We’re invited guests. But we’ve offered to help and consult and advise as they feel they need and would be appropriate because we do have a little bit of expertise in that area.”

IIHF President Luc Tardif told newsmen he was pleased with how the ice held up in the third period of the third game of the day at the test event saying his group would go home “happy and confident”.

Added Tardif, “There is no reason that the NHL will not come. We want to make sure about the quality of ice, the security for the players, doesn’t matter where they come from. So, now I can say we’re ready for the competition.”

There is still work to do, including finishing construction on most of the 14 locker rooms. Organizers have prioritized the playing surface and the playing areas and now say the fan experience may not be exactly as advertised – including scrapping plans for some concession stands and moving them to food trucks outside. The rink was originally planned to seat 14,000 but now is aimed at 11,800.

Maintained Bettman, “It’s always been important for our players to play best on best at the Olympics. That’s why we agreed to take the break and have them go. In the final analysis, that question has to get answered by the IOC and the IIHF.”

Another big issue was learned by the NHL and the NHLPA last month: The rink was built three feet shorter than NHL regulation, violating the agreement they signed with the IOC and the IIHF in July. Though the NHL and NHLPA said they were disappointed their agreement was not honored, they did not believe the shorter dimensions would materially affect the quality or safety of the games.

The NHL has sent increased resources to Milan beginning last month including top ice technicians to help consult.

League sources have stressed there is no Plan B or shadow planning for an alternative tournament.

“We’re pot committed at this point,” one NHL owner said.

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