WORLD HOCKEY TOURNAMENTS

Throughout modern history there have been many interesting dynamics played out on international ice. For Canadians, international hockey invokes memories of the 1972 Summit Series and the 2002 Winter Olympics. For Americans, it’s the miracle of the 1980 games in Lake Placid. For the Czechs, it’s Nagano. For the Swedes, it’s Turin. All sport becomes much more meaningful when athletes compete for national pride. Hockey is no different.

Over the last decade, the IIHF and NHL have made great strides in showcasing hockey through international tournaments. The growth of the game has not been without struggles. This proposal is intended to offer ideas and alternatives that may help hockey continue to grow for years to come.

THE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

There has been no greater international tournament since the inclusion of professional hockey players in the Olympics in 1998. Unfortunately, each tournament has been clouded by the shutdown of the NHL for the two-week period. It is difficult to justify the work stoppage when only a fraction of the NHL players participate in the tournament. There is an obvious need for a better solution.

The most popular sport on the planet is football (or soccer as it is known in North America). Many lessons can be learned from FIFA when it comes to Olympic participation. FIFA allows teams to have only three players over the age of 23 on any one competing team in the Olympic tournament. I would suggest that hockey take a similar approach. Perhaps the age limit could be 25 with no exceptions. There is certainly a lot of latitude when it comes to determining the limit. The idea is that the Olympic tournament showcases the game’s best young talent.

The IIHF has developed a world ranking system for national teams. With some further scrutiny, this system could become the foundation for a tournament team draft system. The format from Turin of ten teams is ideal for encouraging further development. The bottom four teams would be excluded from the draft due to the lower number of players in the NHL. Players from these nations would be free to participate at the permission of their respective clubs or pro teams. Players from the top six nations would be subject to a draft. Each country could select up to their entire roster from NHL based players. Each NHL team would be subject to losing no more than one goalie and four skaters, regardless of nationality, to participate in the tournament. Countries would be able to trade picks if so desired. The draft concept would bring more excitement and a new dynamic to the team building process.

During the tournament, the NHL could continue play on a lighter schedule. The NHL could also co-ordinate its schedule to the tournament schedule to increase viewership.

THE WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY

The World Cup of Hockey is a concept that has been around for decades. A simple tournament made up of the world’s best players competing for national pride. Recently, there has been some inconsistency with respect to this tournament. I would suggest that it be returned to the prominence it held through the late 70’s and into the 80’s.

A fixed timeline should be established where the World Cup is held every four years, midway between Olympic tournaments. The tournament would take place in lieu of the NHL All-Star game. I would suggest a six-team tournament comprised of two pools of three teams. The top two teams from each pool would advance to the semi-finals. The teams to be included could be based on the results of the previous Olympic tournament.

By limiting the tournament to only 6 teams, it would allow the tournament to play out over a period of one week to ten days. The NHL would have to shutdown play during this period. There would be no restrictions on the ages of the players competing. The idea is that this tournament would showcase the very best players in the world. I would also suggest that the tournament be based only in North America and played under NHL rules.

THE NHL ALL-STAR GAME

As a result of implementing these ideas, the NHL All-Star game would be played only in odd numbered years. I would recommend maintaining the Eastern vs Western format. However, an idea worth considering would be to bring the international flavour to the skills competition. It would be very entertaining to see players show off their skills for national pride.

THE IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The current structure of this tournament seems to be working well. If the ideas presented here can further benefit this tournament, I’d be quite pleased.

In closing, I hope that these ideas can instigate further discussion between the NHL and IIHF to secure the continuation of the international hockey experience.