Russia banned from 2026 Olympic ice hockey tournament: What this means for NHL stars and the sport's global future
(AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
The IIHF just dropped the hammer on Russia again and this time, it's Olympic-sized. Just when it seemed like global hockey might inch toward normalcy, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) reminded us that the political ice is still far from smooth.
Russia and Belarus have officially been ruled ineligible for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. That means no Team Russia, no red-and-white uniforms on Olympic ice, and no shot at gold for the league's top Russian stars.
The news doesn't pull NHLers from their teams, but it massively impacts the league's global optics, especially with names like Ovechkin, Kaprizov, and Vasilevskiy left off the Olympic radar.
And yep, hockey fans, it's a big deal.
Russia banned from 2026 Olympic hockey, but
NHL
season goes on: The big impact on international ice hockey
The IIHF announced the extended ban during its annual congress in Stockholm, citing ongoing safety and geopolitical concerns stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Though the original suspension only ran through summer 2025, the federation made it clear that Russia and Belarus won't be allowed at IIHF-sanctioned events through the 2025–26 season, including the Milan Games.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Technically, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could override the IIHF and let Russian athletes compete under a neutral flag like they did in PyeongChang 2018. But so far, the IIHF's stance is firm: if they run the tournament, Russia's not in.
NHL stars
can still play but the Olympic stage is now off-limits
Russian NHL players are still fully eligible to play for their teams. Over 50 Russians were active in the NHL last season, and they'll keep chasing Stanley Cups like normal.
But when it comes to the Olympics, the ultimate international spotlight, they're sidelined.
That stings for both players and fans. Remember Sochi 2014, when Alex Ovechkin was skating for glory on home ice? The dream of a similar moment in 2026 is dead for now. Young stars like Kirill Kaprizov and Andrei Svechnikov will have to watch the Milan Games from the couch unless, of course, the IOC makes a surprise call.
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