NHLers to return to Olympics in 2026, 2030 after missing last 2 Winter Games

Connor Hellebuyck was part of the electrifying under-23 Team North America squad at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

But having just completed his rookie season and with only 26 games of NHL experience to his name, Hellebuyck didn't see the ice.

Now eight years later, the American goalie still hasn't competed in a best-on-best tournament.

"I've just been waiting to throw that jersey on. My window's now, I'm in my prime and I'd love to be part of it," the Winnipeg Jets goalie said at NHL all-star media day on Thursday.

On Friday, commissioner Gary Bettman announced that NHL players would return to the Olympics in 2026 and 2030. The 2026 Games will be held in Italy, while it is expected that France will be chosen to host the 2030 Games later this year.

The NHL also announced a four-team international tournament for 2025 that will include Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland. The Four Nations Face-off will be held next February in two yet-to-be-named cities in Canada and the United States.

"We know how important international competition is to our players. We know how much they love and want to represent the countries from which they're from, and we think this ia great stage for the best on best in what obviously we all believe is the best sport," Bettman said.

NHL players haven't participated in either of the last two Olympics. Nor has there been a World Cup since that 2016 edition, and even that tournament featured two gimmicky teams, with North America consisting of under-23 players and a Team Europe covering most of the continent except a few countries.

In the meantime, the NHL is reportedly putting together a four-team tournament for 2025 between Canada, the U.S., Sweden and Finland. It's still not a true best-on-best — not without the Russians or the Czechs — but it's closer.

Speaking on Thursday, Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid said he wants to compete at the Olympics "extremely badly."

"I would say that a lot of other guys in my age group would feel the same way," he said. "I think about the U-23 team, a lot of guys that are here, Nate [MacKinnon], guys like Cale Makar and Jack Eichel and Auston [Matthews, all these guys that haven't had a chance to represent their country at a best on best. I think it's something that we're all hoping to do."

MacKinnon, the Cole Harbour, N.S., native from the same hometown as Sidney Crosby, echoed the sentiment.

"I'd love to go. I grew up idolizing Team Canadas and we've all missed two or three now, so definitely want to get one in, or hopefully a couple before I retire," he said.

"We have the best player in the league with Connor and hopefully get another one out of Sid. I still think he's ageless, so I'd love to play with him and trying to win with him would be pretty special as well."