The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially come to an end after more than two weeks of world class sporting action across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. This year’s Games featured 116 medal events across sixteen disciplines, with nearly 2,900 athletes competing from over 90 nations, making it one of the most globally celebrated Winter Games in recent years. Team GB also finished with a record haul of 5 medals in events like Men’s Skeleton, Team Skeleton and Men’s Curling. This haul marks the most ever won by Team GB at a single winter Olympic Games.
Ice hockey once again proved to be one of the standout sports on offer, helped enormously by the return of National Hockey League (NHL) players to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, which added star power and household names of the sport that captured worldwide attention.
Although Team GB did not field a men’s or women’s ice hockey team at the Milan Cortina Games, the tournament still drew millions of UK viewers who were reminded of how exhilarating the sport can be on the world stage. The Olympic flame has now been extinguished in Italy, however the excitement it generated for winter sports lives on, especially here in Essex.
Fortunately, you do not need to travel to Italy or wait another four years to experience the same buzz generated at the Olympic games over the past couple of weeks…
Right here in Chelmsford, the Chelmsford Chieftains bring fast paced, physical and electrifying ice hockey to local fans every week. Competing in NIHL South Division 1, the Chieftains represent Essex against teams from London, the South-East of England and further afield, proudly flying the flag for winter sport in our county.
Head Coach Ben Clements says the Olympic spotlight is a powerful boost for the club.
“Having the Winter Olympics on TV, showing some of the ice hockey games is massive for our sport. It gets new eyes on the game. If you haven’t seen a game live before, come down. You won’t be disappointed.”
Italy’s closing ceremony has wrapped up two weeks of brilliant sporting competition at the games, but the Chieftains season is far from over.
The team is currently battling at the top of the table, sitting just one point off first place with only five league games remaining. With both the league title and the playoffs still to play for, fans can expect a thrilling push for silverware. There is even the exciting possibility of national fixtures against northern league winners, adding even more anticipation to the weeks ahead.
Looking beyond this season, Clements highlighted the club’s ambitions for the future including the need to continue competing with the top teams in the league while pushing for more silverware, all underpinned by a commitment to developing even more home-grown talent through Chelmsford’s strong junior system.
“The junior pathway is a real strength. Many current Chieftains stars began in the Chelmsford junior programme. Today’s young players regularly train with the senior squad and benefit from coaching expertise and guidance from the more experienced players in the side.”
Clements sums up how the sport isn’t like any other sport in the UK:
“Ice hockey is really like no other sport. It is fast paced, physical and incredibly exciting for fans to watch. It is the kind of thrill that is impossible to fully appreciate through a screen. You really have to be there to feel it.”
The club is also focused on improving ice time availability, especially for its junior players. At the moment, some young athletes have access to only one or two hours of training each week, which limits how quickly they can progress. With greater rink access, the Chieftains believe they could unlock even more potential within the junior programme and support the next generation of home-grown talent.
If you or your children found yourselves glued to the Olympic ice hockey action, along with the early starting events like curling, figure skating and luge that began even before the opening ceremony, now is the ideal moment to turn that inspiration into action.
Clements encourages anyone curious about the sport to get involved.
“Just try it. It might feel intimidating to start, but once you get into it, it opens a whole new world. At Chelmsford, our learn-to-play sessions welcome kids of all ages. You are never too old to start.”
The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics may be over, but the legacy from the games is just beginning. The Games have reignited passion for winter sports across the country, and the Chelmsford Chieftains are perfectly placed to carry that energy forward for our community.
If the Olympics made you fall in love with ice hockey, do not wait for the next Games. Head down to the Riverside Ice and Leisure centre in Chelmsford. Experience the thrill of live ice hockey and back your local team, we promise you will not be disappointed.
Find out more about the Chelmsford Chieftains here: https://www.chelmsfordchieftains.com/
