WC: IIHF merging 1A and 1B divisions starting from 2028

[ozo]

So IIHF is supposedly doing a merger of 1A and 1B, a move that I don't hate instantly because teams in 1B have pulled closer to 1A teams in the last decade or so. OK, but can, please someone look at the graphic below and explain it to me? Like I do understand who plays who and so on. Question is why convolute it so much? Is there and advantage that I can't seem to grasp in having this serpentine thing?

 

[Eye of Ra]

I like it

 

[ozo]

This is just a rumor, I see no posts about this on IIHF official channels, but thing is certainly circulating online enough to catch my attention. This graphic also has seemingly random guesses about teams that could play in this thing, because who knows who should be playing in this tournament come 2028.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Right move, global parity has taken a good step in right direction, the spread between team 17-28 isn't as severe as it used to be

 

[Pan]

Question is why convolute it so much? Is there and advantage that I can't seem to grasp in having this serpentine thing?

Three games instead of two in the group stage?

 

[bv29]

OK, but can, please someone look at the graphic below and explain it to me?

This is same format already used in few lower U18's this season. Should have been at Men's D2A if not for cancellation.

 

[FrHockeyFan]

This is just a rumor, I see no posts about this on IIHF official channels, but thing is certainly circulating online enough to catch my attention. This graphic also has seemingly random guesses about teams that could play in this thing, because who knows who should be playing in this tournament come 2028.

The Romanian FRHG posted about it so I would think it's more than just a rumour.

Federația Română de Hochei pe Gheață

Bine ați venit pe site-ul Federației Române de Hochei pe Gheață!

frhg.ro

 

[Albatros]

Optimally there would be shared hosts, but the pool of candidates might be slightly smaller than before.

 

[Nick25]

So IIHF is supposedly doing a merger of 1A and 1B, a move that I don't hate instantly because teams in 1B have pulled closer to 1A teams in the last decade or so. OK, but can, please someone look at the graphic below and explain it to me? Like I do understand who plays who and so on. Question is why convolute it so much? Is there and advantage that I can't seem to grasp in having this serpentine thing?

View attachment 1248487

like the idea. It could make the tournament more exciting, and perhaps they might finally turn a small profit or at least reduce their losses.

What I would find even more interesting, though, is if they connected the two host cities' tournaments somehow. For example, the semifinals could be played between the top teams from each host city or at the very least the two gold medal winners could face each other for the overall Division I title.

I'm not sure how they're planning to organize it. If the tournaments in the two host cities are completely separate, then my suggestions probably wouldn't work.

I'm really excited about the introduction of a playoff system. Having only regulation games feels a bit boring, so adding knockout games should make the tournament much more engaging.

 

[weklof]

I like that they are merging it into one tournament, but I am not a fan of this group format. I'd prefer to even groups, winners plays for promotion (thus only one elite division team relugated). Last places teams play to avoid relegation

 

[KirillB]

Also looking like D4 is splitting into two groups in 2027.

https://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/IIHF_Calendar_of_Events.pdf

implying there are going to be enough teams for two groups.

Wondering what the new teams could be...