Connor McDavid says he’s not worried about playing on a shorter ice surface at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
The Edmonton Oilers captain dismissed concerns about the rink dimensions when speaking to reporters Saturday.
“I don’t care. Not a big deal.”
All hockey games in Milan will be played on ice sheets measuring 196.85 feet by 85.3 feet. That’s over 3 feet shorter than the standard 200-foot by 85-foot NHL rink.
The difference in length is expected to be made up in the neutral zone. The offensive zones will match NHL dimensions.
McDavid said ice quality matters more than size.
“Obviously, you want the ice to be good, you’d like the ice quality to be good. The size of it doesn’t matter.”
The main arena in Milan has yet to be completed. It’s reportedly on track to be ready before the Olympics begin.
Olympic Timeline
The men’s hockey tournament starts Feb. 11. The women’s tournament gets underway Feb. 5.
McDavid was one of six players named to Canada’s men’s Olympic hockey team in June.
He enters Saturday second in NHL scoring with 48 points in 31 games this season.
The NHL sounded positive at recent Board of Governors meetings that construction will be completed in time for the Olympics.
Quick peek at the main arena in Milan. Obviously, a lot of work needs to get done. The NHL sounded positive earlier this week at BOG meetings the work will get done in time for the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/58UXkwmDFd
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 12, 2025
