The 2026 Winter Olympics are long-distance Olympics. This applies not only to the length of transfers between individual venues, but also directly to the city of Milan.
Sports grounds are located in various places, mostly on the outskirts of the Italian metropolis.
The journey from one hockey stadium to another can take up to an hour and a half, even more in traffic.
Naturally, Malpensa airport is also nearby, where NHL players arrived on Sunday.
Their arrival was accompanied by chaos, which could also have been a well-thought-out move.
First waiting, then running
The hockey players traveled to Milan on organized flights from New York, provided by the NHL. Slovaks, Canadians, Czechs and Finns were on board together.
The interest in the biggest figures of the hockey tournament was huge.
The Slovak team was strengthened by seven players from the NHL at the tournament: defenders Martin Fehérváry, Erik Černák and Šimon Nemec and forwards Juraj Slafkovský, Martin Pospíšil, Dalibor Dvorský and Pavol Regenda.
Upon arrival at the airport, we check the information about the arrival of the flight from New York on the light board. We learn that the arrival hall at Milan airport is divided into sections A and B.
We walk towards the correct exit – B.
Already from a distance we can see a relatively large group of journalists who turn their gazes and lenses towards one door. English, Finnish and Slovak can be heard in the crowd of reporters.
Although Slovakia has only a fraction of the stars compared to other teams, even a small group of players has received enormous media attention.
Each of us tries to grab the right seat in the narrow hallway of the airport hall. Several reporters warn each other to make room for the other.
After a few minutes of impatient waiting, a certain gentleman with accreditation approaches the group of journalists, attracting attention.
He explains that the hockey players will not come to hall B, but we have to wait for them in hall A. The waiting turned into a chaotic run to the opposite side of the airport.
When apparently even the last journalist has set up his tripod in Hall A, an even bigger mess ensues.
In the noise came the news that the players had already left, but it wasn’t at the “A”, where most of the media are standing.
Once again, the express transfer to hall B, to the original meeting place, is coming.
Seven Slovaks from the NHL are already standing in a circle and talking.
Craig Ramsay is also right next to him, he will act as a consultant to coach Vladimír Országh in Milan.
We no longer see the players of the other national teams, including the Canadian or Czech ones. Apparently they passed at a moment when most of the journalists were standing on the opposite side of the airport.
German: We will fight
Space for a larger conversation with Slovak hockey players was not possible.
“Black Peter” was finally won by Šimon Nemec and Dalibor Dvorský, who briefly answered the questions of the journalists present right at the airport. The other players left.
“We even managed to talk with the guys on the plane,” the German begins. He last played for Slovakia at the 2024 World Hockey Championship in the Czech Republic.
“We don’t have many players from the NHL, but not too few. I think we have a well-mixed team and we will fight for victory in every game.”
VIDEO: Šimon Nemec after arriving in Milan
The New Jersey defender will be among the youngest players at the tournament. Despite the fact that he already has a bronze from the previous Olympics in Beijing. They got it with Juraj Slafkovský when they were seventeen.
When their coach at the time, Craig Ramsay, nominated them, many fans did not have high expectations for them. The young people could only pleasantly surprise. We all already know the following story about their performance at the Olympic Games.
After four years, Nemec and Slafkovský are coming to the Olympics as established NHL players. With that comes increased pressure.
“I know that my position is different, but it will also be a completely different tournament than in Beijing, I see it very positively and I’m looking forward to it,” added the German.
This tournament will be different, says Dvorský
Even younger than Nemec or Slafkovský will be Dalibor Dvorský in Milan. Striker St. Louis started the season on the farm, he came to Milan with an NHL player’s business card.
“I haven’t flown in business class yet, it was the first time and I’m not complaining,” he said with a smile.
“I don’t feel any nervousness. I know it’s the biggest tournament in recent years and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
VIDEO: Dalibor Dvorský at the airport in Milan
He made his senior debut for the national team last year at the World Championships in Sweden. It was a life experience for him.
“It can help me, but this tournament will be different,” added Dvorský. He repeated that he is fully prepared for the Olympic tournament.
At this point the conversation ends. Together with the other players, Dvorský and Nemec had to report to the organizers, who ensured their transfer to the Olympic village.
The noise at the airport subsided for a moment. While writing this text, we are already sitting in the airport cafe. Suddenly, a lot of athletes dressed in the colors of Canada pass by us.
Nathan MacKinnon, Nick Suzuki, Mark Stone… In addition to the Slovaks, we finally saw the best.
