The 2028 World Cup of Hockey: A Global Stage or a Missed Opportunity?
When I first heard that Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague would host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, my initial reaction was a mix of excitement and skepticism. On the surface, it’s a bold move—a tournament spanning two continents, blending the NHL’s star power with international flair. But as I dug deeper, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this event is both a step forward and a missed opportunity. Let me explain.
The Global Ambitions (And Their Limits)
Hosting the tournament in Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague is a strategic play. Calgary and Edmonton, with their hockey-mad fanbases, are no-brainers. But Prague? That’s the wildcard. Personally, I think it’s a brilliant move to tap into Europe’s passion for the sport. What many people don’t realize is that Prague’s O2 Arena has hosted sold-out NHL games before, proving the city’s appetite for top-tier hockey. Yet, here’s the rub: why stop at Prague? If you’re going global, why not include more European cities or even venture into Asia? If you take a step back and think about it, this could have been a truly worldwide event, not just a transatlantic one.
The Russia Question: A Moral Tightrope
One thing that immediately stands out is the elephant in the room: Russia’s potential participation. The NHL and NHLPA are monitoring the situation, but their stance feels like a calculated hedge. On one hand, excluding Russia due to the war in Ukraine would align with international sanctions. On the other, including them would risk backlash. What this really suggests is that the NHL is prioritizing its own interests over making a moral stand. In my opinion, this is a missed chance to use the tournament as a platform for unity—or at least clarity. If they’re going to control every aspect of the event, as Commissioner Gary Bettman proudly stated, they should also control the narrative.
Best-on-Best or Business-as-Usual?
The NHL’s vision of a regular rotation of best-on-best tournaments every two years is ambitious. But let’s be real: is this about growing the game or growing revenue? The 2028 World Cup isn’t part of the current broadcast rights agreement, and Bettman’s eagerness to take it to market screams monetization. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the NHL’s stated goal of expanding hockey’s global footprint and its focus on controlling access and revenue streams. From my perspective, this tournament feels more like a cash grab than a genuine effort to elevate the sport internationally.
The Gimmick-Free Approach: A Double-Edged Sword
I’m relieved that the 2028 World Cup won’t feature gimmicky teams like Team Europe or Team North America from 2016. Those teams felt like bandaids for a lack of inclusivity. But here’s the irony: by sticking to traditional national teams, the NHL risks excluding talent from smaller hockey nations. If the U.S., Canada, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland are locks, that leaves one spot for either Russia or Slovakia. What many people don’t realize is that Slovakia has produced NHL stars like Zdeno Chara and Marian Hossa. Excluding them would be a slap in the face to a country that punches above its weight in hockey.
The Broader Implications: Hockey’s Identity Crisis
This raises a deeper question: what does the NHL want the World Cup to be? A showcase of the best talent, a revenue generator, or a tool for global growth? Personally, I think it’s trying to be all three—and that’s where it falls short. The Olympics, for all their flaws, have a clear identity: a celebration of national pride. The World Cup, meanwhile, feels like a corporate product. A detail that I find especially interesting is Bettman’s comment about controlling the event: “Not that we’re control freaks, but we get to control this event.” That’s not just a joke; it’s a philosophy. The NHL’s grip on every detail—from broadcast rights to team selection—turns the tournament into a branded spectacle rather than a genuine international competition.
Final Thoughts: A Missed Chance to Inspire
If you ask me, the 2028 World Cup of Hockey could have been a game-changer. Instead, it feels like a safe, calculated play. Yes, it’s exciting to see hockey on a global stage, but the NHL’s priorities are clear: control and profit. What this tournament really needs is a soul—a sense of purpose beyond the bottom line. Until then, it’s just another event in the calendar, not the revolution it could have been.
