WJC must be rescheduled for the summer

[Dominance]

As one who is entirely pro-vaccination and pro-COVID regulations, this is a complete and utter embarrassment for the IIHF. Beyond words. That they could hold the tournament last year pre-vaccines and choose to cancel this one is unacceptable.

The IIHF has to reschedule the WJC for this summer; this isn’t the Olympics but their own goddamn tournament - the only one we have. They can’t just say, “Oops, we f***ed up,” and then move on while continuing to act as the organizing body for international hockey. Reschedule or resign.

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[Dr Pepper]

As one who is entirely pro-vaccination and pro-COVID regulations, this is a complete and utter embarrassment for the IIHF. Beyond words. That they could hold the tournament last year pre-vaccines and choose to cancel this one is unacceptable.

The IIHF has to reschedule the WJC for this summer; this isn’t the Olympics but their own goddamn tournament. The only one we have. They can’t just say, “Oops, we f***ed up,” and then move on while continuing to act as the organizing body for international hockey. Reschedule or resign.

This is the preferable option, for me.

As bad as they look right now, canceling the whole tourney before we're even out of group stage, it'll look ten times worse if they came back with "oops nevermind, haha it's on again just later this year".

Can't go back now.

 

[GKJ]

I think they just haven't thought that far yet. Same thing happened last year for the women's worlds, they canceled it and then it was scheduled again for August. The IIHF needs this tournament because it goes a long way towards staging a number of the other tournaments. If someone has a plan, I think they'd take it to consideration. But the IIHF doesn't do this on their own, they need the help of local organizing.

 

[Jumptheshark]

As one who is entirely pro-vaccination and pro-COVID regulations, this is a complete and utter embarrassment for the IIHF. Beyond words. That they could hold the tournament last year pre-vaccines and choose to cancel this one is unacceptable.

The IIHF has to reschedule the WJC for this summer; this isn’t the Olympics but their own goddamn tournament - the only one we have. They can’t just say, “Oops, we f***ed up,” and then move on while continuing to act as the organizing body for international hockey. Reschedule or resign.

nope not going to happen

and no not bring vaccine politics into it--most players are vaccinated

 

[Fantomas]

There's money in this, so they will certainly consider it.

 

[Prntscrn]

Yes

 

[Oleksiak]

I'd watch it. Would be nice to be able to see the guys in the NHL take part as well.

 

[snipes]

Some firings need to happen at the IIHF and Hockey Canada for this level of utter incompetence.

Have the tournament in the summer with the cancelled games made up in a bubble seems like the only possible silver lining. Could make it into a true best-on-best event if they allow the NHLers who are eligible to join.

 

[Antiillafire]

Not going to happen, and it would no longer be a u20 tournament, unless the 2002 borns are excluded

 

[Icebreakers]

Meh. It would have a huge asterisk on it if it happened I don't know if it would be worth it.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Meh. It would have a huge asterisk on it if it happened I don't know if it would be worth it.

Would it? Everyone would have to keep the same rosters

 

[Jumptheshark]

Would it? Everyone would have to keep the same rosters

Injuries? player not wanting to play or if it happens after the draft--teams not wanting their players to get hurt?

 

[TGWL]

I know fans want to harp on level of incompetence, but things were looking up for sports prior to all the recent issues leagues have been having. Could there have been a better backup plan? Sure. It's going to be really hard to schedule this in the summer, after the NHL draft takes place.

 

[SladeWilson23]

I have a hard time believing the IIHF isn't going to at least try and make this tournament up somehow. Money talks.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Do it right before the draft or during SCF intermissions.

 

[Startseva]

They had no reason to cancel it. Totally.

If we talk about Covid. In some countries it's over 200k+. What is the f***ing sense to count it? Do we count flu in news, which is more? I understand the 1st years... but not now.

And ofc no one will ever make it happen in summer...

 

[Antiillafire]

Summer tournaments suck as players are in off season. It would be an asterisk on any team winning. And the set up would be illogical including birth years and all

 

[Czechboy]

Hlinka is already happening.

Also, have this in July and then another one in December?

I'm obviously quite upset it's over. I don't see a summer tourney helping this.

 

[covfefe]

Not going to happen, and it would no longer be a u20 tournament, unless the 2002 borns are excluded

Would be pretty easy for the IIHF to just include an addendum that says this event is still for 2002 and above players. Makes a lot more sense than robbing them of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity due to their inability to make a contingency plan.

 

[Oleksiak]

Injuries? player not wanting to play or if it happens after the draft--teams not wanting their players to get hurt?

Teams loan out their players during the season because they get a better player back. I highly doubt any NHL team would have an issue with this.

 

[Canuckistani]

Every organizer of this event should never be allowed to touch hockey again.

No bubble? Putting players in hotels with the general public? Cancelling games because vaccinated players test positive for what amounts to a mild cold?

Just a total disgrace all around. Incompetent beyond words.

 

[waitin425]

I'll take it a step further.

IIHF in partnership with the IOC, NHL and NHLPA announced the first ever World Ice Hockey Olympic Summit.

10 teams per tournament.

Men's Olympics
Women's Olympics
Men's U20 IIHF Championship
Women's U20 IIHF Championship

Bring the NHL (as partners) to help grow the game and advertise is.

Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Hamilton to host all four tournaments simultaneously.

Bronze medal games could take place on the same day at the same venue

Gold medal games the next day same venue...

Women's junior 11 am
Men's junior 2 pm
Women's 5 pm
Mens 8 pm

Give the Women's games as much coverage/hype as the mens games. Perfect opportunity to grow the game through the adversity of this year.

 

[GKJ]

I'll take it a step further.

IIHF in partnership with the IOC, NHL and NHLPA announced the first ever World Ice Hockey Olympic Summit.

10 teams per tournament.

Men's Olympics
Women's Olympics
Men's U20 IIHF Championship
Women's U20 IIHF Championship

Bring the NHL (as partners) to help grow the game and advertise is.

Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Hamilton to host all four tournaments simultaneously.

Bronze medal games could take place on the same day at the same venue

Gold medal games the next day same venue...

Women's junior 11 am
Men's junior 2 pm
Women's 5 pm
Mens 8 pm

Give the Women's games as much coverage/hype as the mens games. Perfect opportunity to grow the game through the adversity of this year.

The Olympics happen at the Olympics. And the women's olympic tournament doubles as their world championships in those years. But I think you're on the right path as to what should happen. Although playing all those gold medal games on the same day wouldn't work.

 

[waitin425]

The Olympics happen at the Olympics. And the women's olympic tournament doubles as their world championships in those years. But I think you're on the right path as to what should happen. Although playing all those gold medal games on the same day wouldn't work.

9 am...1 pm....5pm....9pm? Using iihf rules with shootouts after ot? I think it could work.

All gold medal games on one Saturday would be unreal

As for the Olympics.....exceptional times calls for exceptions. This would be huge for the game and build momentum for the IOC for 2026

 

[GKJ]

9 am...1 pm....5pm....9pm? Using iihf rules with shootouts after ot? I think it could work.

All gold medal games on one Saturday would be unreal

As for the Olympics.....exceptional times calls for exceptions. This would be huge for the game and build momentum for the IOC for 2026

your last point, not really, the Olympics are what they are. They run when they run and none really has much to do with the other unless you watch an event that bridges one Olympics to another. All that ‘growing the audience’ stuff is a myth.

as for your scheduling, you gonna whisk these players off the ice in time to start another game? You got all the ceremonials to go through? That’s supposed to be the payoff. Not cramming it all in and giving it their space.