The IIHF Council has decided to withdraw the hosting rights of the 2023 Worlds from Russia

[tarheelhockey]

Sport is outside politics. Have you ever heard such an expression?

The IIHF's decision was simple: do you want to hold the tournament in a country that has an active land war along its borders with high potential for escalation, acts of sabotage, terrorism, etc?

The IIHF did not make the decision to begin that war. That responsibility lies elsewhere.

 

[Devilmademedoit]

swiss to host

 

[Jussi]

swiss to host

They're apparently not interested. The host will be decided during this year's Worlds.

 

[SabrePL]

Deleted

 

[WeaponOfChoice]

Come on Hamilton!

 

[BMacLeafs]

First we watch the Olympics without NHL players, in 2020 we are deprived of the World Cup, and now we are forced to watch the World Cup without Russia. What other surprises does the IIHF have in store for us?

Hopefully the next one is a good one: they cede all control to the NHL.

 

[Czechboy]

I like the idea of Canada getting it to be honest. I doubt it happens but it'd be cool. Hamilton and London please!

 

[Czechboy]

 

[wetcoast]

I wish there was more demand in Canada for the tournament. Hosted in 2008 and it was a success.

It's a bigger deal to those in Europe as the SC playoffs are what people in NA are more interested in and I doubt that ever changes.

 

[The Cannon of Tesoma]

Correct decision.

Some "new" host for growing the sport, maybe?

That said, Russian hockey shall suffer long after, but a Russian hockey player shouldn't necessarily have to.

 

[alko]

Canada or Slovakia.

 

[tobu]

2026 to Kazakhstan who'd have lost the bidding against Switzerland

That might be tough if RU airspace is closed to EU flights. Pretty much everyone would have to fly a crazy route down through Iran.

 

[Moose Head]

I like the idea of Canada getting it to be honest. I doubt it happens but it'd be cool. Hamilton and London please!

I think Montreal/Quebec City might make sense. There likely won’t be meaningful pro hockey for awhile in the spring in that province and maybe the worlds could fill the void?

 

[Albatros]

That might be tough if RU airspace is closed to EU flights. Pretty much everyone would have to fly a crazy route down through Iran.

Flights between major European hubs like Frankfurt and destinations in Kazakhstan are operated more or less as usual, getting in is a non-issue.

 

[Gold Standard]

Not really concerned much where it will be played. The issue is where it shouldn't be played...and in that they made the right decision. Wherever it lands we all need to support it and make it one for the history books.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

Bratislava?

 

[Czechboy]

I think Montreal/Quebec City might make sense. There likely won’t be meaningful pro hockey for awhile in the spring in that province and maybe the worlds could fill the void?

I don't think it'll happen.. just fantasty talk. But I assume the rule would be no NHL team in case they do make the playoffs. So non NHL cities. Hamilton has a big enough arena and the GTA to feed it. London is a diehard hockey city that could house the non Canada group very well. All pipedreams.lol

 

[Pandaman11]

That might be tough if RU airspace is closed to EU flights. Pretty much everyone would have to fly a crazy route down through Iran.

1.2026 is far away, we'll see if anything will be closed then
2.You just fly over Turkey etc. Not crazy at all.

 

[weklof]

I'd like to see it in North America too, even though it will be harder to follow for me as European. I whine when the "World" Cup of Hockey is only played in Canada, so it would be hypocritical to complain if the IHWC was for once played in NA. Plus, it might help to grow the status of the tournament in the USA and Canada, which will only benefit the tourney long-term

 

[member 305909]

Watching the Hockey World Cup is like watching the football World Cup without Germany or Spain. The significance of the tournament is falling.

Get used to it! They aren't coming back any time soon. We are talking about years.

 

[Boonk]

I'd like to see it in North America too, even though it will be harder to follow for me as European. I whine when the "World" Cup of Hockey is only played in Canada, so it would be hypocritical to complain if the IHWC was for once played in NA. Plus, it might help to grow the status of the tournament in the USA and Canada, which will only benefit the tourney long-term

NHL, AHL and major junior playoffs all occur during the Worlds. The vast majority of respectable venues capable of hosting in Canada and the US aren't available and this is a predominantly euro tournament anyways, it should stay there.

 

[Arselona]

Good.

 

[member 305909]

Russia can have a tournament of their own with their best friend Belarus.

Besides, doesn't North-Korea have a hockey-team as well?

However, I don't think Eritrea, another of their valuable ally, has one.

 

[Slimmy]

NHL, AHL and major junior playoffs all occur during the Worlds. The vast majority of respectable venues capable of hosting in Canada and the US aren't available and this is a predominantly euro tournament anyways, it should stay there.

It's a lot of fun, though. Spread the joy.

 

[Eye of Ra]

If Canada and USA dont want it. Then put it in UK. That would be exotic.