The main ice hockey arena for the2026 Winter Olympicshas generated as many headlines as theNHL playerswho will be skating there.
There have been construction delays at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, concerns about the ice quality, a shorter-than-expected ice surface and questions about whether it will be safe for NHL players heading to the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
NHL deputy commissionerBill Daly told reporterson Dec. 8 that if players don't feel the quality of the ice is safe, "then we're not going to play."
That's what made atest event at the arenaduring the weekend of Jan. 9-11 so important.
Here's what to know about the status of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena heading into next month's Olympics:
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What was the state of the arena during the test event?
The AthleticandThe Hockey Newswere among the media organizations covering the test event. The ice rink and the seating arena were completed, but the dressing rooms and practice rink were not. There were no concession stands at the time.
The first game of the Italian Cup was delayed to fix a hole in the ice.
Florian Wieser, who played in the game, said the hole was a small one and was fixed in five minutes.
"Ice was really good," Wieserposted on social media. "I was surprised how good it was and it will only get better."
What did the NHL and NHL Players' Association say after the weekend?
The organizations put out a joint statement this week about the test event.
"We were pleased that this weekend's event was a good trial run and provided important insight into the current status of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena," the statement said. "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.
"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."
What did NHL commissioner Gary Bettman say?
Bettman told reporters he was informed that the ice was "OK."
"There are still challenges because the building is still under construction and the ice is new,"he said in Buffalo. "But we expect that everything that needs to be done on a timely basis will get gone."
Asked if "OK" was good enough, Bettman said he would reserve judgment until he arrives in Milan next month. He said the final say would be up to the International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee.
He noted that the NHL is an "invited guest" at the Olympics, but said the league has offered to help and advise as needed "because we do have a little expertise."
What did the IIHF and IOC say?
IIHF president Luc Tardif, Milano Cortina boss Andrea Varnier and IOC Olympic Games executive director Christoph Dubiare optimisticabout the arena.
"There are not many competitions where you have three games in a day, and we know how difficult it is to have a high quality of ice in the third period of the third game, and yesterday it was fantastic," Tardif told international media. "The puck was sliding well and not bumping around. There are still some adjustments still as there was a little bit more snow, but that was a conclusive test, and we'll go back to Zurich happy and confident."
What is different about the ice surface?
The dimensions were supposed be the standard 200 by 85 feet of an NHL rink, but are about 3 feet shorter and a tiny bit wider. The difference in length will be taken out of the neutral zone. The rink is about the same size as the one used in the NHL Global Series in Stockholm, Sweden.
When will hockey games be played at the arena?
Most of the women's games will be at Milano Rho arena, and one game a day will be at Santagiulia, starting on Feb. 5. The USA-Switzerland (Feb. 9) and USA-Canada (Feb. 10) games are in the main arena, along with the semifinals (Feb. 16) and bronze- and gold-medal games (Feb. 19).
The first men's games will be on Feb. 11 with Slovakia vs. Finland and Sweden vs. Italy. There will be up to three games a day there with another one at Milano Rho. The semifinals (Feb. 20) and medal games (Feb. 22) are at Santagiulia.
Contributing: Steve Gardner, USA TODAY; Brian Pinelli, The Hockey News
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Olympics' Santagiulia hockey arena status: What we know
