NEW YORK – NHL players are going to the 2014 Winter Olympics.
It took months of deliberation, but participation the games was made official after an agreement was reached between the league, its Players’ Association and the International Ice Hockey Federation.
Commissioner Gary Bettman has been optimistic for several weeks about a deal getting done. But until it was finalized there was uncertainty about players going to the Games in Sochi, Russia, despite NBC securing broadcast rights for the games in and players expressing the desire to go to.
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It will be the fifth Olympics featuring NHL players since they were first allowed to represent their countries in 1998. The NHL will interrupt its season for the tournament, which will take place from Feb. 12-23.
Canada won gold at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, when Sidney Crosby scored to beat the United States in overtime. Canada finished seventh in Turn in 2006, won gold in Salt Lake City in 2002 and finished fourth in Nagano in 1998.
Some Russian stars, including Alex Ovechkin, have said they would go to Sochi regardless of NHL permission. Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis even said he would allow Ovechkin to go with or without the league’s blessing.
The 2013-14 NHL schedule, which was being delayed until this was finalized, is expected to be released later Friday.
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