Hockey Summit Ushers in a New Era
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10-1944_IIHF_IceTimes_October2010_210x297 04.10.10 15:00 Seite 1 October 2010 Volume 14 Number 4 Published by International Ice Hockey Federation Editor-in-Chief Horst Lichtner Editor Szymon Szemberg Design Jenny Wiedeke Hockey Summit ushers in a new era HEAVY HITTERS: The Molson Canadian World Hockey Summit featured the biggest names and brightest minds in hockey. KHL President Alexander Medvedev, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, IIHF Hall of Famer Anders Hedberg and TV Commentator and former NHL goalie Glen Healy were just a few of the stars on hand. Visonary ideas signal the new start to the four-year Olympic cycle The new Olympic four-year cycle started with the Molson On other issues we see encouraging openings. There is no question that regarding the Canadian World Hockey Summit in Toronto. It was not only "big issue" - NHL player's future at the Olympics - there is an increased understan- a four-day meeting. It was a start of an era of better under- ding from the IIHF on the NHL's concerns while the league was once again reminded standing between hockey's major organizations. about the overwhelming support a best-on-best Olympics has and what incredible opportunities it presents for our game. RENÉ FASEL EDITORIAL David Branch, the President of the Canadian junior leagues, said at the Summit- nn It is not very often the hockey world gets together like this. ending press-conference that the league will sit down and consider reducing the Last time an international hockey summit was held was 16 years import quota from two Europeans on each of the 60 junior teams to one. This was one ago in Boston. Following the unprecedented success of Vancouver 2010, it was an of the proposals that came out of Slava Lener's presentation. The other one was limi- excellent opportunity for the IIHF, NHL, NHLPA, Hockey Canada, USA Hockey and the ting European imports to 18-year olds and over. Canadian Hockey League to put together this four-day event to discuss the most pres- sing issues our game faces today. nn The IIHF Semi-Annual Congress in Portoroz, Slovenia approved a format change for the top division of the IIHF World Championship. It is the first time we adjust the We had some excellent presentations and key-note speeches. Ranging from the emo- format in ten years and everyone agrees that the amendment should be better, pri- tional (Haley Wickenheiser on women's hockey and John Furlong on the Olympic marily for the host organizer and the fans. impact on our game) through the compelling (Slava Lener on European juniors' migra- The change from four preliminary round groups of four teams to two groups of eight tion to North America) and factual (Doctors Norris and Aubry on players' development eliminates the qualifying (second round) which was a very difficult sell. From one day and safety) to visionary (Ralph Krueger on hockey's global agenda). to another, midway through the championship, an entirely new schedule had to be established and announced to fans. I am absolutely convinced that only good things will come out of this Summit. For some results or effects we will have to wait a little longer, but on other issues we see This, of course, made it very difficult for the organizer to sell tickets and for the fans immediate impact. to plan travel, accommodation and ticket purchase. Let's see how this works out for Finland 2012 and Sweden 2013. nn Hayley Wickenheiser had barely ended her speech before the IIHF, during the very same topic session, announced a two-million Swiss Francs contribution the development René Fasel of the women's game. And at the Semi-Annual Congress in Slovenia one month later a IIHF President four-year women's hockey development plan was presented to our constituency. 10-1944_IIHF_IceTimes_October2010_210x297 04.10.10 15:00 Seite 2 2 Volume 14 Number 4 October 2010 Volume 14 Number 4 October 2010 3 OTHER CONGRESS NEWS OBITUARIES New format for 2012 Worlds nn Three national associations submitted applica- nn Austrian referee Christian Wohlgenannt pas- tions to host the 2016 IIHF World Championship: sed away on September 4. He was 46. During his 22- nn PORTOROZ, Slovenia - The IIHF Semi-Annual the teams can register 25 players (22 skaters and three Russia (Moscow, Kazan), Denmark (Copenhagen, year career, Wohlgenannt officiated more than 1100 Congress approved a new tournament format for the goaltenders) at the start of the championship. Under the Herning) and Ukraine (Kyiv). The IIHF Annual games, including many final games in the Austrian top division of the IIHF World Championship. The four outgoing system the teams could register 20+3 players Congress in Bratislava in May 2011 will decide top league as well as whistling various international preliminary round groups will be replaced by two eight- at the beginning of the championship with the possibi- about the allocation. tournaments since 1992. He worked 21 games as an team groups starting in 2012. lity of adding two players after the completion of the IIHF referee. preliminary round. nn The congress was informed about new format for The current format – which has the 16 all IIHF World Championship categories, for Divisions nn On June 89, Bobby Kromm, 82, died. Kromm teams play in four preliminary round groups The motion to change the format was rai- I and below. The format will be vertical as opposed to was a player-coach for Canada's 1961 IIHF World after which the top 12 teams advance to a sed by the national member associations of horizontal. For example: On the Division I men’s level Champion Trail Smoke Eaters. He was also the coach qualifying round leading up to the playoffs Finland and Sweden, the organizers of the the A Group will consist of teams ranked 17-22 while of the Winnipeg Jets (WHA), where he won the lea- – has been in place since 2000 and it will be 2012 and 2013 IIHF World Championships. the B Group will consist of teams ranked 23-28. gue and was named coach of the year in 1976. He used for the last time at the 2011 IIHF World Promotion to the top division will only be conducted was coach of the year again in 1978 when he was Championship in Slovakia. The change will nn The main purpose of the change was to from the A Group. The winner from the B Group will behind the bench of the Detroit Red Wings (NHL). be implemented in 2012 in Finland and eliminate the qualifying (second) round be promoted to the A Group. Sweden. where the host organizer usually faces diffi- nn Young Russian player Igor Misko died on July 6 culties selling tickets as fans don’t know The current system has the A and B groups in all cate- after a medical emergency while driving his car. The nn The new championship format will until the end of the preliminary round about gories being equal. As this change implies a modifica- Bigger, bolder, brighter: 23 year-old had played 227 games in the Superliga have the 16 teams playing in two prelimi- the second round schedule. and KHL for SKA St. Petersburg when his life was cut tion of the IIHF Bylaws, an extraordinary General At the Hall of Fame, the World of Hockey is about to get bigger. The famed International Zone will be re-launched nary round groups with eight teams in each, using the Congress will vote on this during the 2011 Annual tragically short. IIHF World Ranking for seeding. This means that each “This is a good change and everyone is happy,” said IIHF on November 5 and will feature new international exhibits, including areas for the Triple Gold Club and Top 100 Congress in Bratislava. If approved, the new format Moments in Hockey. The grand unveiling will be a part of the induction weekend. team will play seven preliminary round games against President René Fasel. “The qualifying round has been a will be implemented for the 2011-2012 season. nn Wayne Stephenson died on June 22 after a pre-known opposition. tough sell as you may have the last games of the preli- lengthy illness. He was 65. Stephenson played for minary round being played on a Wednesday, and it is not nn The congress approved a four-year plan for the the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals. The top four teams in each preliminary round group will until very late that day that the fans get to know which development of the women’s game. Details of the Internationally, he appeared in two World advance to the quarterfinals. The teams that finished teams will be opening the qualifying round on New Rule Book put into force program will at a later date be published on IIHF.com Championships for Canada (1967 bronze, 1969) and last in each group will be relegated to Division I. Teams Thursday.” o The start of the new four-year Olympic cycle o The Rule Book also addresses new regulations, in the 1968 Olympic Winter Games (bronze). He was placed 5-8 will play no more games. nn Starting in 2012, the men’s top level world cham- a part of the Philadelphia team that defeated CSKA “This was not enough time for the fans to purchase tic- also marks the start of another new cycle as the what are some things people need to be aware of? pionship quarterfinals will be played within the IIHF updated and revised its Official Rule Book. There are changed regulations regarding equipment.