NHL moves closer to participating in 2014 Sochi Olympics
The Bolshoy Ice Dome will host hockey games during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. (Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
The NHL has emerged from a meeting in Sweden preparing for its players to participate in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation.
The news follows years of questions regarding the NHL's continued commitment to shutting down during the Winter Olympics hockey tournament. Preliminary plans could have the NHL shut down on Feb. 9 and resume on Feb. 25. Hockey competition begins Feb. 12 in Sochi.
From the IIHF:
"We are proceeding under the assumption that the NHL will participate in Sochi," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told IIHF.com. "We are still working on important issues with the IIHF and the IOC, and subject to our board of governors' consideration and approval, it remains the objective that Sochi will be the fifth consecutive Olympics with NHL participation and where the NHL shuts down for the duration of the Olympic tournament."
