Connor McDavid on smaller Olympic rink: ‘Not a big deal’

Connor McDavid isn’t bothered by the size of the Olympic arena.

“I don’t care. Not a big deal,” he told reporters Saturday ahead of a Hockey Night in Canada showdown between his Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT).

The arena for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics has become a story unto itself in recent weeks, with the IIHF confirming that the ice surface would be more than three feet shorter and slightly wider than NHL standard.

Altered dimensions have sparked concerns for the NHL and NHLPA, which expected to play the tournament on a regulation-sized rink.

The IIHF shifted to the NHL dimensions at the Olympics beginning in 2018 and used again in 2022.

McDavid starred for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off on NHL rinks in February, scoring the OT winner against the U.S.

He is one of six players already named to the Canadian roster for the Olympics alongside Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Sam Reinhart and Brayden Point.

The Olympic men’s hockey tournament runs Feb. 11-22, with NHLers participating for the first time since 2014.

–with files from The Associated Press