Bach met with representatives from both organisations during a "courtesy visit" to the NHL's headquarters amid an ongoing dispute about whether players from the league will take part at next year’s Winter Olympic Games.

NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) director Don Fehr was also present.

The IOC President expressed his hope that the meeting had "prepared the successful ground for successful negotiation between the NHL and the IIHF".

Talks have continually stalled over recent months, with negotiations proving particularly fractious because the IOC have opted to stop covering the cost of transportation and accommodation fees as they previously had.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has expressed his indifference towards the IOC, accusing them of opening a "can of worms" by refusing to pay.

Bettman has also voiced his opposition to plans from IIHF President René Fasel to source the required finances to help send NHL players to the Games.

"This was a courtesy visit and there was a very good open and friendly atmosphere," Bach said in a statement sent to insidethegames.

"Of course, we all want see the best players at the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018, and we know the players feel the same.

"Therefore, we hope even more that the International Federation and the NHL will reach a solution to make the Olympic dreams of the players come true."

The IOC’s reluctance to cover the costs is not the only concern within the NHL, who are also worried about the potential impact on the league, which would have to shut down for two weeks should the players be given the opportunity to represent their country in Pyeongchang.

NHL deputy commissioner Daly has previously said they are struggling to find a "compelling reason" to give the green light to NHL players being able to take part at next year’s Olympics, due to run from February 9 to 25.

Bettman claimed in December that team owners are displaying a "strong negative sentiment" and are showing signs of "fatigue" after appearing at the five previous editions.

NHL stars have participated at every edition of the Winter Olympics since their debut appearance in Nagano in 1998.

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis has already claimed he will not stand in the way of players who wish to go to Pyeongchang regardless of whether a deal is reached or not.

"I don't know the internal politics on it, and, because I've made my feelings known, I'll vote when I'm asked to vote," Leonsis said.

"My belief, though, is that I can't imagine the players saying they don't want to go to the Olympics.

“It's a players' league. 

"If Alex Ovechkin and Braden Holtby and Nick Backstrom tell us, 'we want to go play for our country,' how am I going to say no?

"I might get fined, I might get punished in some way, but I feel I'm in partnership with Nick and Braden and Alex."

The NHLPA have already formally turned down a deal which would have permitted Winter Olympic participation in return for an extension to their current collective bargaining agreement.

This was last negotiated during a strike that led to almost half of the 2012-13 season being missed and is due to expire in 2022.

Although a resolution appears a long way off, a deal for NHL players to be able to compete in Sochi was only agreed seven months before the Games.