The Associated Press

MONTREAL — The World Cup of Hockey is returning in 2028, setting the stage for the sport to get on a routine of international competitions with the world’s best players every other year.

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association unveiled plans Tuesday to host a tournament officials hope to stage in February at roughly the same timeframe as the Olympics. They already have an agreement to go to the Games in Milan in 2026 and the French Alps in 2030.

“We couldn’t be more excited about making a reality Olympics, World Cups, Olympics, World Cups on a regular schedule of the best hockey players in the world representing their countries,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said just before the start of the 4 Nations Face-Off. “We know the full blown World Cup, this is simply a sampler, is going to be sensational.”

The 4 Nations tournament was pared down and pushed back from initial planning because of questions over Russia’s participation given the country’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Those questions remain about the World Cup.

“I’d love to see our Russian players paying in these tournaments again,” NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said.