NHL, NHLPA reportedly planning to revive World Cup of Hockey in 2024

Vancouver Canucks stars Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and Thatcher Demko — among others — might get the chance to play on an international stage in 2024.

The NHL and NHLPA are “moving full steam ahead” with the goal of holding a World Cup of Hockey in two years, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Wednesday.

Daly talked about the World Cup and an array of other hockey-related topics (including potential salary cap increases) at the NHL’s European Player Media Tour in Paris, France.

The World Cup has not been held since 2016, when Team Canada defeated Team Europe in a best-of-three championship series to capture the trophy.

It’s unclear whether Team Europe and Team North America will be included in the 2024 tournament, but Daly said at least eight national teams will participate. Team Russia’s status is also uncertain.

Daly also said the NHL plans to hold World Cup games in both North America and Europe. The 2016 World Cup took place in exactly one city: Toronto.

“We still want to play one pool in Europe, a preliminary round pool in Europe and a preliminary round pool in North America and move the semifinals and the final to a different city in North America likely,” Daly said. “I think that short list would universally encompass more traditional hockey markets.”

The World Cup has been held three times: in 1996, 2004, and 2016. Team USA won gold in the inaugural edition of the tournament, but Team Canada came out on top in both subsequent competitions.