Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner of the National Hockey League, joins Daren Millard and John Shannon on 100% Hockey to take listeners inside the final push toward Olympic hockey in 2026 Winter Olympics.
Daly walks through preparations in Milano and Cortina, including arena readiness, ice quality planning, and the logistical challenges of staging a global tournament. He also explains how the NHL finalized its agreement with the International Ice Hockey Federation to bring NHL players back to the Olympics — covering insurance protections, medical protocols, and player safety.
They also discuss:
- Hospitality and organizational hurdles around the Olympic venues
- Progress on media coverage and business partnerships
- Confidence in the league’s relationship with ESPN
- What’s already locked in — and what still needs approval behind the scenes
A behind-the-scenes look at Olympic logistics, player participation, and the business decisions shaping the NHL’s next chapter.