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Publisher: International Ice Hockey Federation, Editor-in-Chief: Jan-Ake Edvinsson Supervising Editor: Kimmo Leinonen Editor: Szymon Szemberg, Assistant Editor: Jenny Wiedeke November 2004 - Vol 8 - No 5 Photos: DAVE SANDFORD (World Cup photo), CHRISTER HÖGLUND (Swedish league photo) LET THEM PLAY: Mario Lemieux (left) won the World Cup in 2004, but he and other skilled players would be even greater winners if the referees called the games by the rule book. The first indications from the recently launched IIHF Referee Exchange Program is that the games are better and more entertaining when the official calls it strictly. “This is how hockey should be played” wrote a Swedish paper after Russian referee Sergei Karabanov (in the background, right) worked a game between Farjestad and MoDo in the Swedish league. The game is fine - just call it by the book The recently launched IIHF Referee Exchange Program has given us ■■ According to reports, the first period was somewhat chaotic, with players being an early, but clear, indication about how our game can be improved: penalized left and right, but after that the combatants adapted and the rest of the Make the officials call the game by the rule book. game was a brilliant performance from two skilful teams loaded with talented play- Yes, it’s that simple. ers. End-to-end action with speed and finesse, just like the game was meant to be played. RENÉ FASEL EDITORIAL ■■ After the game Mr. Karabanov received great reviews from the players, coaches ■■ and media. Everyone involved in ice hockey in the last months has read many proposals The biggest Swedish newspaper ran this headline the following day: “Wow… he cal- about how to make the game better. There has been almost no limit to the amount led the game by the book.” of far-fetched ideas thrown out like making goals bigger, goalies smaller, pucks ligh- Everyone agreed that our game is far better off without the endless clutching and ter, sticks heavier, overtime periods, shoot-outs, three points for a win, no points for a grabbing and other means of sabotage. tie and so forth. We have been hearing the same kind of things from other games which were made The ideas are all well meant, but probably will make it no further than the paper part of the Referee Exchange Program. they are written on. After international hockey adopted the rule which allows the two-line pass five years ago, we feel we do not need any major changes. What we ■■ I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this strict interpretation. Apart now need is all federations, associations, leagues and their respective referee super- from the obvious, the safety of the players, we must insist on creating an environ- visors to pull out the 13 x 21 cm publication of 127 pages called the “Official IIHF ment where the best players are allowed to perform as the best players. We should Rule Book 2002-2006” from the shelf, put it on the table and say: “We will call the never accept conditions where lesser competitors, often referred to as “role players”, game according to this book.” are able to hook, slash and hold and in this way neutralize the stars. ■■ And the interpretation must be the same, regardless if it’s the first period of the I am happy to say that we have come a long way in achieving this, looking back to first game of the season or overtime in the last game. Not only as the President of all post-1998 IIHF World Championships. The IIHF Referee Exchange Program will the IIHF, but also as a former referee, I am very encouraged by the first reviews from hopefully send this message down to the national leagues, starting with the partici- the IIHF Referee Exchange Program, see coverage on pages 6 - 7 in this issue. pating nations: Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. It took courage from the IIHF Sport Development Manager of Officiating Konstantin Komissarov and Peter Andersson, the Swedish league referee supervisor, to instruct ■■ Later on, this will hopefully have a global impact. Russian referee Sergei Karabanov to call the Farjestad vs Modo game in the Swedish Elitserien strictly by the aforementioned book. Continued on next page November 2004 - Vol 8 - No 5 Continued from page one: ■■ The IIHF Semi-Annual Congress in Belek, Turkey Olympic schedules presented at IIHF congress adopted a policy on abuse and harassment (see page ■■ The Olympic ice hockey schedule for the 2006 schedule, which will see teams play six games in the 10) to protect young players from different kinds from Winter Games in Turin, Italy was presented to the par- opening eight days. The teams that end up in the Gold mistreatment. This is a clear statement from the IIHF ticipating nations during the IIHF Semi-Annual Medal game will play eight games in twelve days. The that the world governing body of ice hockey does not Congress in Belek, Turkey (September 30 – October 2). final is on February 26. tolerate harassment or abuse in any form, in any coun- “We have tightened the schedule to accommodate the try, on any level. Defending 2002 Olympic men’s gold NHL if it decides to make a break in their medallist Canada will face host Italy on schedule just like in 1998 and 2002 and By doing this, the IIHF acknowledges that the problem opening day, February 15, at the 10,500- to make the entire player pool available exists and we are happy for the response we received seat Palasport Olympico. The opening for the greatest sport event there is,” said from the national associations during the workshop in day also features the match ups of IIHF President René Fasel. “But this sche- Belek. Many associations were earlier reluctant to Germany – Czech Republic, and Russia – dule works perfectly for all scenarios.” recognize the problem within their own domains. With Slovakia. Both Finland and the U.S will the IIHF taking the initiative and adopting the policy, it also play on the first day of action ■■ Bob Nicholson echoed the senti- is now much easier for the associations to approach against qualifying teams, which will be ments of René Fasel, “Our choice is this domestically. determined later. obviously to have a best-on-best tour- nament,” said Nicholson. “We won the ■■ The lockout of NHL players, although it is an inter- ■■ The complete men’s and women’s Olympic schedu- gold medal for the first time in 50 years in Salt Lake nal affair between the National Hockey League and it’s les are posted on IIHF.com. City with our best players and we want to repeat this player’s union, has already had far-reaching ramificati- feat with our best players.” ons on the European national leagues. When this was “We feel very privileged to play the host nation on the written, 200 NHL players had signed “lockout contrac- opening day of the Olympic tournament,” said Hockey Also in the women’s tournament, Canada starts ts” in 15 different European leagues, and some of Canada President Bob Nicholson on hand in Turkey for against host Italy. Canada beat USA for the gold medal them, like Sweden’s Peter Forsberg, are committed for the IIHF Congress. “This will be a big game in Canada, in Salt Lake City 2002. Three teams in the eight-team at least a full season. especially considering the vast Italian community in Olympic women’s tournament are still to be decided by our country.” qualifying tournaments in November 2004. It will be very interesting to evaluate the consequences of this exodus of players a little bit further down the The IIHF along with the IOC and the Turin 2006 organi- ■■ Both schedules are subject to change. They will be line. As they say, hindsight is 20-20. zers have constructed a compressed 12-team men’s final once approved by all participating nations. Suspensions for Lithuania and Serbia-Montenegro René Fasel IIHF President ■■ The IIHF Disciplinary Committee handed down five Marko Zidjarevic (SCG). After further review, it was suspensions to players involved in the IIHF World decided that Mr. Zidjarevic, the head coach of Serbia Championship Division II, Group B game between and Montenegro, will receive a warning as he failed to IIHF/Infront extend sponsorship Lithuania (LTU) and Serbia & Montenegro (SCG). The keep the conduct of his players under control. game, which was won by Lithuania, 14-3, featured 502 with Skoda Auto until 2011 penalty minutes. Andrius Kaminskas (LTU). After further review, it was ■■ ZUG, Switzerland: Infront Sports & Media, the decided that Mr. Kaminskas is suspended for the first marketing partner of the After reviewing video and various reports, the follo- game that the senior team from Lithuania plays in the IIHF, has announced that wing disciplinary measures were decided upon: next IIHF World Championship. Skoda Auto has extended its official main sponsorship of Aleksandar Kosic (SCG). After further review, it was Arturas Svedavicius (LTU). After further review, it the IIHF World decided that Mr. Kosic is suspended for the first three was decided that Mr. Svedavicius is suspended for the Championships for seven more years, from 2005-2011. games that the senior team from Serbia and first three games that the senior team from Lithuania Montenegro plays in the next IIHF World plays in the next IIHF World Championship. This brings the contract into line with the IIHF partners- Championship. hip with Infront, which in July this year was also pro- Dimitrij Medvedev (LTU). After further review, it was longed until 2011.

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