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4 Nations Face-Off
The 4 Nations Face-Off reignited passion for international best-on-best hockey, featuring top NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. This seven-game tournament, held between February 12-20, 2025, captivated fans around the world with games hosted in the iconic Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston.
The round-robin stage, where each team faced-off in three games was highlighted by Michael Granlund scoring an overtime winner to lift Finland past Sweden, while the Tkachuk brothers became fan favorites, with a memorable display of intense national pride in a victory versus Canada on their own turf.
USA and Canada advanced to a one-game final, with Canada emerging victorious in an epic 3-2 overtime rematch capturing the attention of 16.1 million viewers in North America. Jordan Binnington made a series of game-saving stops opening the door for Connor McDavid’s overtime winner to secure the championship for Canada. Nathan MacKinnon was named the tournament's MVP.
NHLPA International is focused on growing a presence in markets outside of North America through player-focused commercial opportunities.
William Nylander
During the 2023 NHL Global Series Sweden William Nylander became the talk of Stockholm, fully embracing his homecoming by engaging in as much fan-facing activity as time allowed for. Nylander was featured in Vogue Scandinavia in a showcase of his individual style; appeared as a guest on Bianca Ingrosso’s popular Bianca Show, winning over the other guests and viewers over with his engaging personality; made appearances at several local events including NHLPA x Stockholm, the premiere of Börje and an XXL autograph signing for fans lined up around the building in the heart of the city.
Vogue Scandinavia Article
Ondřej Palát
The 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia saw Ondřej Palát, a native of Frydek-Mistek, be the face of the week his New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres spent in Prague. Palát took the opportunity to use his homecoming as a platform to engage youth from his hometown with a trip to the games and an equipment donation through NHLPA Goals & Dreams. He was also featured in an interview for popular Czech lifestyle magazine PročNe Magazine, donning fashion provided by Louis Vuitton, where he shared his hockey beginnings and delved into his interests that include a love for sneakers, coffee, and watches, and his investments in real estate and English football.
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NHLPA x Event Series
The NHLPA x Event Series brings together hockey, business and culture for a gathering held in the heart of an NHL Global Series / other international event host city. It is an evening dedicated to celebrating the sport and its players, building relationships between local hockey, business, influencers, and government communities. This unique gathering offers other circles a peek into the hockey circles, while highlighting the charm of the host city. NHLPA x Event Series creates an unforgettable experience that deepens connections and celebrates an international stop on the journey to grow the game.
NHLPA x Milano
Inside the five-star Portrait Milano, NHLPA x Milano embraced the cultural and fashion scene of the city to celebrate the return of NHL players to the Olympic Winter Games and extend the narrative beyond the ice. Executive Director Marty Walsh and Assistant Executive Director Ron Hainsey welcomed global executives, hockey stakeholders, government officials, and figures from the city's cultural community for an afternoon of connection at Beefbar, in the heart of Milan's fashion district.
For Players, representing their countries on the global stage is one of the game’s greatest honors and a passion that has shaped the history of international hockey. The commitment to national pride and the quest for Olympic gold and World Cup glory have motivated players to compete at the highest level, leading to historical moments and milestones.
Summit Series
The 1972 Summit Series was a historic eight-game hockey tournament held in September 1972 between Canada and the Soviet Union. This intensely fought series, played amidst the Cold War's political tensions, saw Canada dramatically win with Paul Henderson's iconic last-minute goal in the deciding eighth game of the series in Moscow. The series had a profound impact on international hockey, boosting Canada's national pride and prompting North American teams to adopt elements of the Soviet's disciplined training methods and strategies.
Canada Cup (1976, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1991)
The Canada Cup was inaugurated in 1976, becoming the first international tournament that gave NHL players a chance to represent their countries. Created by the NHL, the NHLPA and Hockey Canada the tournament was held five times, with Canada victorious on four occasions and the Soviet Union winning once. The Canada Cup was instrumental in opening the door for players to participate in World Championships and Winter Olympic Games.
World Cup of Hockey (WCH) - 1996, 2004, 2016
In 1996 the World Cup of Hockey replaced the Canada Cup with subsequent editions held in 2004 and 2016. The United States won the inaugural event in 1996, while Canada took home the championship in both 2004 and 2016. The 2016 tournament notably introduced all-star style teams, featuring Team Europe (comprised of players from European nations not already represented in the tournament) and Team North America (comprised of players age 23 or younger from Canada and the United States).
Exhibition Games & NHL Global Series
The NHL's international presence dates to 1938, when the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens played a series of exhibition games in Europe. This was the beginning of a tradition of internationally hosted NHL games, including the NHL's first regular-season games played outside of North America in Japan in 1997. The NHL Global Series has continued these efforts, regularly sending NHL teams to various European cities, as well as Asia and Australia, to play regular-season games and give players the chance to compete in front of their home fans.
Olympic Winter Games - 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, 2026
The 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano marked the first year of NHL player participation at the Games, with the Czech Republic taking home the gold medal. At the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, Canada ended a significant Olympic drought by claiming the gold medal. Four years later in Turin, Sweden earned the gold medal in a final against Scandinavian rival Finland. In 2010, the Vancouver Games culminated in a dramatic gold medal game with the host nation, Canada, securing the championship in overtime against the United States. Canada successfully defended its gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, securing back-to-back gold medals.
Milano Cortina 2026 marked the return of NHL players to the Olympic Winter Games where the United States defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game.
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