NHL Stars Return to Olympics After 12-Year Absence

The world's greatest hockey players are heading back to the Olympics next month, ending a 12-year drought that kept NHL stars off the international stage.

For the first time since 2014, the National Hockey League reversed its ban on current players competing in the Winter Games. The decision brings professional talent back to a competition that once featured mostly college and amateur athletes facing off against international pros.

Jim Craig, the legendary goaltender from Team USA's stunning 1980 "Miracle on Ice" victory, welcomes the change. He believes the playing field should be equal, with the best athletes representing their countries.

But Craig has one important message for today's professional players. In an era where every athlete builds their personal brand and negotiates massive contracts, he hopes they'll embrace the same mindset he and his teammates shared 45 years ago.

"I just hope that they have that same commitment that the amateurs had," Craig told Fox News Digital. "What's the most important thing isn't their brand, or where they play. It's about representing their country, and it's not about themselves."

The recent 4 Nations Face-Off tournament showed exactly what Craig means. Teams played with raw, unfiltered passion, with Canada and the United States both hungry for victory in ways that transcended individual accomplishments.

Craig points to how countries are now selecting their Olympic rosters. They're not just picking the highest scorers or biggest names. Instead, they're choosing players who bring the right ingredients to help their teams win, echoing the philosophy of legendary coach Herb Brooks.

Why This Inspires

Craig and his 1980 teammates proved that unity and purpose matter more than individual glory. They focused on representing their country rather than securing contracts or building personal brands. That selfless approach helped create one of sports' greatest underdog stories.

Now, as professional athletes return to Olympic ice, they have a chance to show that same spirit still exists at the highest levels of competition.

Men's hockey begins February 12, with the gold medal game scheduled for February 22. That date marks exactly 46 years since the Americans defeated the Soviets in Lake Placid, a reminder that Olympic moments can transcend sports and inspire generations.