MILAN — NHL Players Experience Olympic Village Life
Most NHL players, it turns out, don’t have college experiences since about two-thirds don’t finish their degrees. But for those who do, staying in a two-bed, one-bath dorm room in Milan’s Navigli district is nostalgic.
“It’s like being back in university,” said Jack Eichel of Team USA after their first practice. “Two feet apart with your roommates in a tiny dorm—it definitely brings everyone closer. With not a lot to do, you get to know each other pretty quickly.”
Meanwhile, the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) has arranged for hotel accommodations nearby that are more luxurious, yet Team USA has opted to embrace the village vibe.
Among the players, there are pairs of brothers, like the Tkachuks and the Hughes. Auston Matthews seems to be the standout celebrity, at least by Tkachuk’s account, and the American ice hockey players are enjoying mingling with the figure skaters and speed skaters in the village.
Matthew Tkachuk remarked, “We have a hangout area where all American athletes can gather. It’s been really incredible. I try to meet every American athlete I can.”
Matthew, one of Team USA’s alternate captains, has even dubbed the room he shares with his brother Brady “Club Tkachuk.”
Eichel joked, “I think they might be crowding the bed. They probably have shared a room before. If you hear something at night, you’ll probably know where it’s coming from.”
Interestingly, while the Canadian team has said they’d stay in the village for only the first night after arrival, the Americans appear to be sticking to the village much longer.
2026 Winter Olympics
“We believe being part of the Olympic experience is essential, and staying in the village contributes to that,” Coach Mike Sullivan explained. This sentiment seems to resonate with other teams as well.
Victor Hedman from Sweden expressed his excitement, stating, “It feels like being a junior again, living in the dorms.” He mentioned rooming with Eric Karlsson again after over a decade apart, saying, “We’re both 35 now, and it’s a thrill to be back together after meeting on the national team when we were just kids.”
