Rivalries that Transcend Borders

By: Eitan Mirel 10/15/25

Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena Concept Art.

Connor McDavid’s overtime winning goal sealed the United States’ fate and Canada’s victory at the Four Nations Championship this past February. This winter, a new opportunity will arise, giving players another chance to write their names in history and cement their legacies as their respective countries fans watch in awe once again.

In Beantown, the Garden was alive with the chants of “USA! USA!” echoing, as the rivalry with Canada played out on the ice. Although it may not have ended how many wanted, it provided a small glimpse of what we can expect come wintertime when the Olympics roll around.

Once again this February, the world’s top hockey players will gather, this time in Italy, and the stakes will be even higher than before: a chance at Olympic gold. Here’s everything you need to know and more:

First, we need to remember how we got here. For the first time since the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, NHL players will be eligible to participate in the men’s tournament. The agreement was finalized after years of debate and standoffs between the League and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For the NHL, it came down to money, as they were losing out on promotional rights and financial support the IOC had previously pledged. In 2022, it seemed as though the NHL would make a return. In a shocking and tense turn of events, the NHL pulled out, citing concerns over China’s strict quarantine rules and the need to make up its own postponed games.

Strong player demand and outspoken support from stars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, who publicly advocated for “best-on-best” hockey, increased pressure on league officials. The NHL and IOC improved their relations, and the Players Association successfully negotiated a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Despite the generally positive atmosphere around the games, geopolitics still influence the current situation, as Belarus and Russia remain suspended from international hockey events.

Canada remains the odds-on favorite for gold, but the United States remains a formidable force and strong contender, backed by its recent international momentum. Quinn Hughes, the Norris Trophy-winning defenseman should be healthy and ready for the US after an injury prevented him from participating in the Four-Nations Faceoff. Having Hughes back is an immediate game-changer for the United States, as he quickly slots in as their top defenseman and could very well be the missing piece required to bring it home. Underdogs like Slovakia, Switzerland, and Czechia will return to the international stage after being snubbed from the Four Nations Faceoff format, and they will certainly be trying to prove doubters wrong.

One major question remains unresolved as the Olympics approach: will the main venue be truly ready for the spotlight? Reports suggest that the primary arena, which is still under construction, might not have enough time for a full test run before the games start. This has raised concerns since ice conditions are critical, given the tournament's importance. While the IOC insists everything is on schedule, it is clear that all eyes will be on the ice as the event draws near. This winter, the world will hopefully unite again under the bright lights of Satagiulia Ice Hockey Arena to watch rivalries unfold that transcend borders.