**Milan Cortina Games: NHL-Ready Hockey Arena Takes Shape** The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, a key venue for the upcoming Milan Cortina Games. Despite construction delays and concerns about ice quality, the arena is now on track to host high-level hockey matches, including the return of NHL players to the Olympics for the first time in over a decade. IOC Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi praised the arena's seating bowl and ice rink, saying "it's incredible what they've done, truly incredible." A three-day test event held over the weekend successfully simulated Olympic conditions, with three matches played each day. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) president, Luc Tardif, stated that there were no barriers to the NHL's return to the Olympics, citing the excellent quality of the ice. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly had previously expressed concern about ice quality due to construction delays, but the recent test event appears to have alleviated these concerns. The men's Olympic hockey tournament is scheduled from February 11-22, with the women's tournament taking place from February 5-19.