The world of international hockey has been shaken by a decision that will have lasting repercussions for some of the sport’s brightest stars. As anticipation built for the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage in 2026, fans and athletes alike dreamed of seeing the game’s elite compete for national glory.

For young talents like Ivan Demidov, the prospect of representing his country alongside legendary figures such as Alex Ovechkin promised to be the highlight of his blossoming career. However, those hopes have been abruptly dashed, following a major announcement from the International Olympic Committee.

The ruling has sent shockwaves through the hockey community, leaving fans disappointed and players grappling with the reality of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slipping away. While the decision was not entirely unexpected, its impact is nonetheless profound, especially for a new generation of Russian stars eager to make their mark on the world stage. As the dust settles, the absence of these top-tier athletes from the Olympic tournament will be felt not only by their home country, but by hockey enthusiasts around the globe.

Ivan Demidov and Alex Ovechkin

Photo credit: NHL

The young Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov, like many of his compatriots, has just received some very bad news.

It’s also disappointing news for many Habs fans..

For those who were hoping to see Ivan Demidov at the 2026 Olympic Games, well, you can forget about it.

The Olympic committee will exclude Ivan Demidov’s home country from the 2026 Olympic Games

As you might expect, this has sparked many reactions.

“The exclusion of Russian hockey players from the Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo Games next year was confirmed Tuesday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).”

– TVA Sports

Demidov had a very strong chance of cracking his national team’s lineup, and he could have played alongside the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Evgeni Malkin, and others.. But that won’t be happening.

“That means Alex Ovechkin and his crew will be noticeably absent from the Olympic hockey tournament, in which NHL players will participate for the first time since 2014.”

– TVA Sports

As a result, France will qualify and participate in the Olympic tournament.

This is a major ruling, and one that was highly anticipated!

It could have been an incredible experience for the young Canadiens forward, but the reasons and circumstances behind the decision are, of course, fully understandable.