NHL and NHLPA say they're pleased after test events at new Olympic hockey arena in Milan

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL and NHL Players’ Association said in a joint statement Monday they are pleased that test events at the new hockey arena for the Milan Cortina Olympics were “a good trial run and provided important insight into the current status” of construction.

League and union officials were present at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena over the weekend, as organizers put on games to test the ice surface while the process of finishing locker rooms and other facilities continues. Play is set to begin on the women's side Feb. 5 and the men's side Feb. 11.

“While challenges are inherent with new ice and a still-under-construction venue, we expect that the work necessary to address all remaining issues will continue around the clock,” they said in a statement said. “The NHL and NHLPA will continue to monitor the situation, standing ready to consult and advise on the work being done to ensure that the local organizing committee, the IOC, and the IIHF deliver a tournament and playing conditions befitting the world’s best players.”

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the the test events went OK, from the reports he received, while acknowledging there is still more to be finished.

"There are still challenges because the building is still under construction and the ice is new," Bettman said in Buffalo, New York, where he was to announce the Sabres are hosting the draft there in June. "We’ve been assured that, or we expect, that everything that needs to be done on a timely basis will get done. But, as you know, it’s not our event. We’re invited guests. But we’ve offered to help and consult and advise as they feel they need and would be appropriate because we do have a little bit of expertise in that area.”

Officials in Milan, including International Ice Hockey Federation President Luc Tardif, recently expressed confidence that NHL players will participate next month as scheduled. Concerns were mounting given that the rink had not yet been completed less than month before the start of the Games.

Bettman believes he'll have a better idea of where things stand in Milan once he arrives.

“It’s always been important for our players to play best on best at the Olympics,” Bettman said. “That’s why we agreed to take the break and have them go. In the final analysis, that question has to get answered by the IOC and the IIHF.”

AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, contributed.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Wipptal Broncos players warm up at the Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena, in Milan, where Ice Hockey discipline of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Luc Tardif, IIHF President talks to reporters at the Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena, in Milan, where Ice Hockey discipline of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is seen on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (Gian Mattia D'Alberto /LaPresse via AP)

The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is seen on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (Gian Mattia D'Alberto /LaPresse via AP)

The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is seen on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (Gian Mattia D'Alberto /LaPresse via AP)

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jack Hughes had two goals and three assists and Dawson Mercer scored twice as the New Jersey Devils beat the Washington Capitals 7-3 on Thursday night.

Hughes scored his first goal for the Devils 9:10 into the second period on a wrist shot, assisted by Jesper Bratt and Johnathan Kovacevic. He tacked on a wrist shot 8:10 into the third, assisted by Bratt and Connor Brown. Hughes has 24 goals and 44 assists this season.

Bratt, Dougie Hamilton and Cody Glass also scored for the Devils.

Tom Wilson, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cole Hutson scored for the Capitals.

Jake Allen made 29 saves in the win for the Devils. Logan Thompson had 23 saves for the Capitals.

Devils: Host the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.

Capitals: Host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes skates agains the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)