http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=427999 DEAL REACHED TO SEND NHL PLAYERS TO 2014 WINTER OLYMPICS An agreement has been reached between the NHL, National Hockey League Players' Association, International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation to send NHL players to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. "The National Hockey League features the most international player population in professional sports, and our outstanding athletes take tremendous pride in representing their homelands on the global stage," commissioner Gary Bettman said. "The decision to participate in the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi was in many ways a difficult one, but one that we know will be well received by our Players and, most importantly, by the vast majority of our fans and sports fans everywhere." NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr added: "The players are very pleased that an agreement has been reached that will allow the world's best hockey players to compete at the Winter Games in February," said Fehr. "Having the opportunity to wear their nation's sweater in Sochi is something the players look forward to." This marks the fifth consecutive time dating back to Nagano 1998 that NHL players have participated in the Olympics. More than 120 NHL players are expected to compete for their respective nations in Sochi. "Although there were many details to discuss with our partners NHL and NHLPA, there was never any doubt in my mind that we would not continue the tradition from Nagano, Salt Lake City, Turin and Vancouver," said IIHF President and IOC Executive Committee Member Rene Fasel. "The modern Olympic era is about sportive competition on the highest possible level. This is what fans around the world expect from a 100-metre race or downhill skiing and this is also what they are entitled to expect from our sport." The NHL will break from the 2013-14 regular season schedule on February 9 and return to play February 26 to allow for participation in the Games. Canada opens the Olympic tournament Feb. 13 against Norway. The NHL is also expected to release the 2013-14 regular-season schedule later today.