Gary Bettman Releases Exciting News For The Future Of International Hockey Tournaments!

This long-awaited announcement marks a significant shift, as fans have been vocal about their disappointment in the lack of elite global hockey matchups since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Starting in 2028, the World Cup of Hockey is making a full return, followed by NHL participation in the Winter Olympics in 2030, with the cycle continuing every two years.

This means hockey fans can look forward to consistent international competition featuring the game's top talent-something that has been sorely missed since the last true best-on-best tournament in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

One crucial detail about the revamped World Cup of Hockey is that it will feature eight national teams, eliminating the experimental format used in 2016.

That tournament, while entertaining, included a Team Europe (a mix of non-traditional hockey nations) and an Under-23 Team North America, which included Connor Mcdavid, who would have clearly made Team Canada but was not eligible.

This format, despite being fun to watch, deviated from the traditional national competition format.

This time around, it's all about national pride, with countries earning their spot through a true international format.

The return of best-on-best hockey is a massive win for the sport. The ongoing debate about whether Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby will ever play together was a hot topic, now the next generation won't have to worry for the next group of superstars.

For fans, this means high-stakes hockey every two years, ensuring that the world's best compete for national glory on a regular basis.

After years of uncertainty and missed opportunities, the NHL is finally delivering what the hockey world has been asking for.