10-1110_IIHF_IceTimes_Juni2010.qxp:210x297 4.6.2010 9:50 Uhr Seite 1 June 2010 Volume 14 Number 3 Published by International Ice Hockey Federation Editor-in-Chief Horst Lichtner Editor Szymon Szemberg Design Jenny Wiedeke Storybook 2010 season comes to a close Czech Republic provides fairytale finish to a perfect year for ice hockey A storybook season ended with a fairytale game. Czech Apart from the Czech upset, the things we will remember from Germany are Republic's gold medal win was the most surprising since the fans and the atmosphere. The 74th World Championship drew a total atten- at least 1987 and the most unexpected in the nation's dance of 548,768 to Gelsenkirchen, Cologne and Mannheim. This is the second history, including the Czechoslovak era. highest figure in the history of the tournament, second only to Czech Republic 2004 which had four thousand more. RENÉ FASEL EDITORIAL Of course, the organizers built a solid base when a world-record crowd of 77,803 The Soviets were heavily favoured in the championship filled the Veltins Arena for the Germany - United States opener. The 2-1 win for 23 years ago where they didn't lose a game but still lost the the home team gave Germany, and the entire event, the much-needed momen- title to the Swedes who won their first gold in 25 years. tum and it carried coach Uwe Krupp's men to the semi-final where the Germans were less than two minutes from taking Russia to overtime. It was a surprise, but the Swedish team was definitely a medal candidate that year in Vienna. But after finishing 7 - 5 - 6 - 7 in the last four major IIHF events, Germany was not the only country that showed progress. Denmark advanced to the nobody even mentioned the Czechs leading up to Germany 2010, not even as a quarterfinal for the first time ever, Norway was very close while Switzerland showed medal contender. creative and exciting hockey in wins against the Czechs and Canada. But this championship was one of a kind. After losing to Norway and As we close the books on the 2009-2010 season, this is more than we could have Switzerland, the Czechs defeated the Swedes twice, Canada, Finland and Russia expected; the best Olympics ever with a gold medal game which already is a classic, to grab the nation's 12th world title. This means that coach Vladimir Ruzicka's a world-record attendance at the Worlds opener, more than half a million people at team defeated four out of five countries that were ahead of the Czech Republic our flagship event in an Olympic year and several feel-good stories in Cologne and in the IIHF World Ranking prior to the event. Mannheim. I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to Uwe Harnos and Franz Reindl and his staff on the Germany 2010 OC and say a warm thank you to all The win proves once again that a strong team concept can overcome a star in the hockey family who contributed to the success of international hockey in 2010. studded opponent, especially in a one-game decider. Suddenly all the traditional Czech elements were there, stifling defense, solid goaltending and opportunistic René Fasel scoring. IIHF President 10-1110_IIHF_IceTimes_Juni2010.qxp:210x297 4.6.2010 9:50 Uhr Seite 2 2 Volume 14 Number 3 June 2010 Volume 14 Number 3 June 2010 3 Czech it out - 2015 Worlds go to Prague & Ostrava NUMBERS FROM GERMANY 2010 IIHF NEWS UPDATE It was a good spring for the Czech Republic. In all-time attendance record of 552,097, a record Urban Germany 2010 set the bar high for future organi- the same week, the nation won the World hopes to break. “Of course, that will be our goal, but zers. Just a few of the numbers that Whistling ’round the world The hosts with the most: Championship gold medal and secured the rights to it will be tough. In 2004, the arena was new, but now were reported when the event ended: we have everything ready in plenty of time.” For the first time in history, a host the 2015 Worlds. It will be the tenth time that 548,768 spectators saw all 56 2011 event sites set Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic has hosted the IIHF’s games. It is only second to only the European referee will bring his The bulk of the 2010-2011 IIHF events were allo- flagship event. Prague has the distinction of hosting more World most-attended World Championship, expertise to the NHL. It was announ- cated at the Annual Congress in Germany. Three Championship games – 284 – than any other city in 2004 in the Czech Republic (552,097). ced that Marcus Vinnerborg will events, one women’s and two U18s are still awaiting There was no question which championship presenta- the world, the first coming in 1933. make the jump from Sweden's their host city to be determined. tion made the best impression on the congress dele- Without the opening game in Gelsenkirchen, Elitserien next season. gates from the 68 IIHF member nations. The congress’ The 18,000-seat O2 Arena, formerly known as Germany would rank third all-time in attendance. Below is a list of where the various championships voting resulted in a clear cut 84-22 victory for the Sazka Arena, in Prague will be the main venue. The 77,803 spectators saw the USA-Germany opening will be played in the upcoming season: Czechs. The other applicant was Ukraine. arena was built for the 2004 Worlds. It will be used for The 37-year-old native of Ljungby game in Gelsenkirchen for a hockey world record. two preliminary-round groups, one qualification- has been officiating since 1987, and his MENS: “We have been working on this presentation for the round group, three relegation-round games, the quar- 19,132 at the gold medal game set the attendance impressive resume includes each IIHF Top Division: Slovakia (Bratislava/Kosice) last three years,” said Martin Urban, General terfinals, semi-finals and the medal games. record for a world championship game in an indoor World Championship from 2006 to 2009 Division I, Group A: Hungary (Budapest) Secretary of the Czech Ice Hockey Association. “We hockey arena. (including the 2008 Russia-Canada gold Division I, Group B: Ukraine (Kyiv) last hosted in 2004, so it’s about time.” Ostrava, about 360 km from Prague, will host two pre- The 18,522 fans that attended the Slovakia vs. Russia Division II, Group A: Australia (Melbourne) liminary-round groups, a qualification-round group medal game in Quebec City) and the game on May 9 was the record attendance for a non- The tournament will be co-hosted by Prague and and three relegation-round games. Games will be held 2010 Olympics. He has also refereed at Division II, Group B: Croatia (Zagreb) playoff game without the host team playing. Ostrava, just as in 2004. That year, the Czechs set an in the CEZ Arena with a capacity for 9,800 spectators. the World Juniors and numerous Division III, Group A: South Africa (Cape Town) European club and international compe- U20s: titions, such as the Karjala Cup, Spengler 2010 Honorees Top Division: USA (Buffalo, Niagara) Cup, and Sweden Hockey Games. The IIHF Hall of Fame induc- Division I, Group A: Belarus (Bobruisk) ted five new members on Division I, Group B: Slovenia (Bled) May 23rd in a ceremony held “It can’t get any bigger than this. Never Division II, Group A: Netherlands (Eindhoven) in Cologne, Germany. The before has it even been on the radar for Division II, Group B: Romania (Miercurea Ciuc) class of 2010 included four a European referee to go to the NHL, but Division III: Mexico (Mexico City) players and one builder. thanks to Konstantin Komissarov, the CHANGING HIS STRIPES: Swedish referee Marcus Vinnerborg is the first From Left to right, the hono- European official to join the ranks of the NHL. U18s: rees were: Forward Dieter IIHF officiating manager, and Terry Top Division: Germany (TBA) Hegen from Germany, Gregson, the NHL director of officiating, been watching him ever since, including in Vancouver Division I, Group A: Latvia (Riga) Finland female hockey pio- it has now become true,” Vinnerborg said over the [during the 2010 Olympics]," said NHL director of offici- Division I, Group B: Slovenia (Bled) neer Riikka Nieminen Valila, phone from Sweden. als Terry Gregson. "He meshes extremely well [with NHL Helena Fagerlund, who Division II, Group A: TBA on-ice officials] on blended crews for World Division II, Group B: TBA accepted the builder’s award The possibility was brought up during the on behalf of her deceased Championships and Olympics. Plus, he is a quality per- Division III, Group A: Chinese Taipei (Taipei City) Vancouver Olympics which were officiated by mixed father Rickard, Paul Loicq son. His knowledge of the North American game and his Division III, Group B: Mexico (Mexico City) Award winner Lou Vairo IIHF-NHL teams, and a few weeks ago, Vinnerborg got work ethic and professionalism will make him a positive from the U.S., Latvian goal- the actual, official offer. addition to the NHL staff." WOMENS U18s: tending legend Arturs Irbe Top Division: Sweden (TBA) Division I: Russia (TBA) and Russian star forward Professionally, it’s a no-brainer. But Vinnerborg is no 18- Gregson also cited his positive relationship with Vladimir Krutov. Each induc- year-old kid from Sweden, who’s just been drafted to IIHF officiating manager Konstantin Komissarov as anot- tee received a plaque, jersey the NHL.