IIHF History

Given the differences in the rules of the game, Louis Magnus , a French journalist and propagandist of winter ice sports, turned to the International Skating Union with a proposal to lead hockey federations and standardize the rules. Rejected, Magnus sent out invitations to 6 European representatives of the national hockey federations. May 15 - 16, 1908 at the invitation of Magnus in Paris at 34 Provence street, 8 representatives of 4 European countries gathered:   Louis Magnus   Robert Plank   van der hoven   De clerk   Malare   Mellor   L. Dufour as well   Mavrogrodato . There were no invited representatives   Germany and   Of Russia . This meeting was the first congress of the International Hockey Federation . The educated organization was called the International Ice Hockey League - LIHG ( Fr. Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace - LIHG ). This name was LIHG until 1978 . The LIHG was headed by the Paris journalist Louis Magnus , the main initiator of the creation of this organization; he became the first general secretary   Robert Plank . The official language has become French . All this is reflected in the signed fundamental document.

The first members of LIHG in 1908 were   France ( October 20 ),   Bohemia ( November 15 ),   United Kingdom ( November 19 )   Switzerland ( November 23 )   Belgium ( December 8 ). The first games organized by LIHG   Berlin , November 3 - 5, 1908 . Four club teams participated in the games, which consisted of two periods of 20 minutes each.

II Congress was held in   Chamonix from January 22 to January 25, 1909 . LIHG adopted its own charter, and also decided to organize the annual European Championship starting next 1910 . In connection with the congress, the first international tournament was held here in Chamonix . The winner was the team   Of London . In the same 1909 , on September 19, the sixth member of LIHG became   Germany

AT   Montreux the first day after the III Congress of LIHG held on January 9, 1910, the first European Championship was held . Matches were played from January 10 to 12 at Les Avants. Four "official" participants took part in the tournament -   Great Britain   Germany   Belgium and   Switzerland , as well as the Oxford Canadiens , are a group of Canadians studying at Oxford who competed out of competition. From this moment on, European championships were held on a regular basis, interrupted only during the war years - first as independent tournaments, and since 1930 as part of the World Cup . From 1912 to 1914 , in parallel with the European Championships , the so-called annual “ LIHG Championships ” were held with the participation of national teams. However, this tournament did not receive further development ^[1] .

February 17, 1911 , during the IV Congress, held in   Berlin , the LIHG was accepted into   Russian hockey federation . At the same time, the Oxford Canadiens team was accepted - an association of   Of England   Canadians. On March 14, 1911, LIHG adopted Canadian rules, which became mandatory for all LIHG members .   The Russian Federation as part of LIHG did not stay long - until September 25, 1911 .

LIHG Championship among European teams, held on 2-4 February 1912 in   Prague was canceled after the protest   German Federation to participate in the national team   Austria . Filed   Austria application for entry into LIHG, at the time of the tournament has not yet been approved by Congress. At the V Congress, held March 22 - 23 in   Brussels attended by three representatives   Canada as observers. Changes were made to the rules: the number of hockey players of one team on the court was reduced from 7 to 6, hockey players began to wear numbers on their backs ^[2] . Henry van den Bulcke succeeded Louis Magnus as president. The LIHG includes federations   Austria   Sweden and   Luxembourg . After the congress LIHG totaled 10 members ^[1] .

In 1913, the “blue line” was introduced, dividing the site into three zones [1] . In the same year, the VI LIHG Congress was held in St. Moritz (   Switzerland ).

February 25, 1914 at the VII Congress in Berlin ( Germany ) resigned LIHG President Henry van den Bulcke ( born Henri van den Bulcke ). Louis Magnus was elected to the vacant post. However, he did not meet the support of his program, he immediately resigned. Acting President of LIHG was appointed B. M. Peter Patton ( born Major Bethune Minet "Peter" Patton ). The newly convened congress re-elected Henry van den Bulke as president of LIHG . Soon LIHG ceased its activities in connection with the outbreak of the First World War ^[3] .

At the congress of 1920, the leadership of LIHG was completely changed, and the next changes were made to the rules. Also, changes were made among the LIHG members related to the ended war - expelled from the LIHG   Austria and   Germany , approved as part of LIHG formed in 1918   Czechoslovakia to which membership passed   Bohemia At the summer olympic games held in   Antwerp , as an indicative sport for the first time there was ice hockey . Later, in 1982 , this tournament was awarded the status of the 1st World Ice Hockey Championship , since non-European national teams took part in it for the first time -   Canada and   USA ^[3] .

In 1922, Paul Luicq was elected president of LIHG, who spent 25 years in this post ^[3] . For his enormous contribution to the development of ice hockey, he was awarded a special prize, the Paul Loicq Awards .

In 1923 at the congress in   Antwerp was made next changes to the rules of the game. It was also decided to conduct LIHG championships separately from the Olympic Games . In the same year, the Spengler Cup , the oldest of the current club events in Europe , was first played ^[3] .

In 1924, reinstated membership in LIHG   Austria   Germany remained isolated. In protest against the denial of recovery in LIHG   German Federation, she left   Sweden Both federations returned to LIHG only in 1926 ^[3] .

In 1929 at the congress in   Budapest LIHG decided to hold World Championships every year in which the Olympic Games are not held. A tournament received such status if at least one of the non-European national teams took part in it. Later, in 1982 , the Olympic tournaments of 1920 , 1924 and 1928 were awarded the status of world championships . The LIHG Championship among European teams was to become part of this competition between the Olympic Games . During the Olympic Games, the LIHG championship among European teams was to be held separately. The best of the European teams received the European title . The first world championship was held in 1930 . Due to unexpected warming, the tournament was forced to move from   Chamonix in   Berlin , the match for the bronze medal of the European Championship was held in   Vienna ^[3] .

In 1930, the first Asian National Federation became a member of LIHG -   Japan Also, the federation returned to LIHG after a two-year absence   USA ^[3] .

In 1932, the last independent LIHG championship among European teams was held ^[3] .

In 1933 LIHG celebrated its 25th anniversary and summed up the work: as part of the International Ice Hockey League - 19 members ; 20 congresses were organized and held, as well as 18 European championships , 6 world championships and 4 tournaments as part of the Olympic Games . The 1933 World Cup was first held on artificial ice ^[3] .

In 1936, at the Olympic Games , ice hockey was played on both artificial and natural ice. Due to snowfalls, and also taking into account the unexpected warming at the 1930 World Cup , LIHG at its congress decided to hold large international tournaments only in countries that have artificial ice arenas. During the Olympic Games, tournaments, in addition to World Championship status, received European Championship status. At the same time, it was decided that at least one non-European team must be present at the tournament to be awarded the status of a World Cup . Also, the following changes to the rules of the game were adopted ^[4] .

In 1937, the first African Federation was accepted at LIHG -   South Africa , for a long time remained the only representative of its continent. In 1938, the Hockey Federation joined the LIHG   Australia

September 13, 1939 at the congress in   Zurich LIHG President Paul Luac in connection with the outbreak of World War II banned all international competitions during the war ^[4] .

At the first post-war congress LIHG, decisions were made regarding a number of members of the organization:   Japan and   Germany were expelled membership   Estonia   Latvia and   Lithuania was suspended.   Austria was restored in its membership in LIHG, canceled in 1939 due to the Anschluss   Germany . A proposal was made to alternate the LIHG leadership between Europe and North America . Also, the next changes in the rules of the game were adopted. At the 1947 congress , Dr. Fritz Kraatz succeeded Paul Luac as president. At the 1948 congress , a new charter was adopted. English has become the official language of the organization. The English abbreviation IIHF (IIHF) - International Ice Hockey Federation (International Ice Hockey Federation) also began to be used ^[5] .

In 1946, disagreements appeared in amateur hockey   USA between the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and the United States Amateur Hockey Association (AHAUS) . Until now, hockey   The USA represented AHAUS in the international arena. At the same time, with the filing of the President of the NOC, Avery Brundage , the International Olympic Committee confirmed the authority of the AAU . As a result, a team representing AHAJU went to the 1948 Winter Olympics . IOC canceled the results of the national team   The United States in the hockey tournament as part of the Olympic Games , as AJAUS did not recognize. Team Results   The United States was counted only in the final protocol of the 1948 World Cup . In connection with these events, in 1949, the International Olympic Committee interrupted all relations with the International Ice Hockey Federation. In 1951, the IIHF decided not to participate in the Winter Olympic Games , but 5 months after this decision was made, the IOC completely reconciled with the IIHF ^[5] .

In 1951, the World Cup was divided into two groups according to the level of teams - the weaker participants were allocated to group B. Reinstated German Membership (   Germany ) and   Japan In 1952 he joined the International Federation   USSR Hockey Federation ^[5] .

In 1957, John Francis Ahearne succeeded IIHF President Walter Brown . Among the first steps in the new post, he proposed to hold the world ice hockey championship in three groups . However, for political reasons, many national federations refused to participate in the 1957 World Cup , held in   Moscow . At the match   USSR -   Sweden set a record of 50,000 spectators. ^[5]

In 1958, 50 years of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The IIHF has 25 members .

In the early 1960s , the IIHF extends to the East Asian region:   Republic of Korea - 1960 ,   China and   DPRK - 1963 .

In 1961, for the first time, the world ice hockey championship was held in three groups. The last world championship held in open areas. The next political demarche at the tournament performed by the FRG , which refused to welcome the communist flag   GDR . In response, 2 years later, the players of the national team   GDR stood with their backs to the flagpole while raising the flag   Germany .

In 1962, the national team   GDR did not receive a visa to enter   USA where the world championship was held . Hockey players in protest   USSR   Czechoslovakia and other socialist countries refused to participate in the tournament ^[6] .

In 1964   the Canadian Federation for the first time exposed the national team of amateur hockey players - before that   Canada was represented by club teams ^[6] .

In 1965   The German delegate Dr. Gunther Sabetzki ( English Gunther Sabetzki ) at the IIHF Congress proposed to hold the European Champions Cup by analogy with football and handball . The first trophy was held in the 1965–66 season ^[6] .

In 1968, it was decided to hold the European Ice Hockey Championship for youth teams ^[6] .

In 1969, competitions of various groups began to be held in different countries and at different times.   The Canadian Federation proposed increasing the quota of professionals in teams at the World Cup to nine hockey players . The IIHF agreed to make concessions, but in January 1970 it changed its decision under pressure from the International Olympic Committee , which opposed professionals. Concerning   the Canadian Federation interrupted international hockey contacts at all levels, including refusing to host the home world championship in 1970 ^[6] .

In 1970, the first coaching seminar was organized. At the World Championships, hockey players were obliged to play in helmets . Starting from 1972, it was also decided to hold separate hockey tournaments of the Winter Olympic Games and world championships . This was the first step to return.   Canadians on the world stage, because it allowed us to consider the possibility of professional participation in world championships ^[6] .

In 1971, the points scored by teams against non-European teams ceased to count towards the European Championship ^[6] .

In 1972, it was decided to hold an unofficial World Ice Hockey Championship among youth teams since 1974 . At the World Cup, goalkeepers were required to play in masks . President John Francis Ahern Sanctioned First Hockey Super Series   USSR and   Canada with NHL club players . In 1973, he again rejected the proposal for admission of Canadian professionals to participate in world championships ^[6] .

In 1974, new sanctions were introduced against the use of doping . The first unofficial world championship in ice hockey among youth teams ^[6] .

For 25 years, from 1951 to 1975 , three-year parity between Europe and North America has been maintained, chaired by the IIHF ^[6] .

Since 1975, the IIHF General Congresses began to be held. At the 1975 Congress , Dr. Gunther Sabetzki was elected President. Instead of French , German became one of the official languages ​​of the IIHF. It was decided, starting in 1976, to admit professionals to the world championships . The Canada Cup was established, which was to be held every four years with the participation of national teams   Canada and   USA , as well as the four best teams in Europe , determined by the results of the World Cup ^[7] .

In 1976, the first IIHF seminar for referees and the first Canada Cup were held , which was attended by one judge and two assistants [2] . Starting this year, the annual International Hockey Handbook ^[2] begins to be published.

In 1977, the first official world ice hockey championship was held among youth teams . At the World Cup participated   Canada national team - for the first time after an 8-year hiatus. It included professionals from the NHL . This is the first world championship , which was served by one judge and two assistants ^[8] . Since this year, the IIHF Press Release has been published monthly ^[2] .

In 1978, it was decided not to host the World Championships during the Winter Olympics . The first IIHF medical seminar took place ^[8] .

In 1979, the Thayer Tatt Prize Tournament was established, which during the Winter Olympics contested teams from countries not participating in the Winter Olympic Games hockey tournament . It was also decided that since 1981 the wearing of helmets with a protective mask will become mandatory for juniors. AT   New York hosted a Challenge Cup draw between national hockey teams   USSR and NHL ^[8] .

In 1980, the World Cup was not held for the first time in the year of the Winter Olympic Games ^[8] .

In 1983, it was decided to hold the Asian Championship among juniors from next year. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the IIHF: it has 32 national federations . The last, in 1983 , were the federations   Hong Kong and   Taiwan .

In 1984, the first championship of Asia and Oceania was held among junior teams (under 18 years old) . The tournament was played until 2002 . The IIHF includes the first South American Federation -   Brazil

In 1987, Group D appeared for the weakest teams in the World Cup ^[8] .

In 1988, professional hockey players were allowed to participate in the Winter Olympic Games hockey tournament for the first time ^[8] .

In 1989, Alexander Mogilny becomes the first   Soviet hockey player, a runner, when he leaves the team immediately after the World Cup in   Stockholm ^[8] .

In 1990 in   Ottawa hosts the first women's world championship ^[8] .

In 1991, the last draw of the European Ice Hockey Championship took place . The IIHF has 40 members .

As a result of political turmoil in Europe -   collapse of the USSR ,   Yugoslavia and   Czechoslovakia - new national federations arose. At the 1992 IIHF Congress , they restored their membership in the IIHF   Estonia   Latvia and   Lithuania [3] . The number of participants in the hockey tournament of the Winter Olympic Games and the World Cup was expanded from 8 to 12, a playoff system from the quarter -final stage was introduced [4] . This year, the World Cup again began to take place in the year of the Winter Olympics .

At the 1994 Congress , Rene Fasel was elected President of the IIHF .   Switzerland ). At the World Cup for the first time, the winner was determined in a series of shootouts . The first Federation Cup was held , reorganized two years later into the Continental Ice Hockey Cup .

In 1996, the World Cup was first held, replacing the Canada Cup .

In 1997, the IIHF Hall of Fame was established. The IIHF Congress also adopts changes to the rules, for the first time since 1969 . The new rules were first applied in 1999 at the World Cup .

In 1998, for the first time, hockey players from the NHL clubs participated in the hockey tournament of the Winter Olympic Games . For the first time since its founding in 1917 , the National Hockey League has taken a break to allow its players to take part in the Winter Olympics . The women's hockey tournament will debut at this Olympics . At the IIHF Congress, it was decided to expand the number of participants in the World Cup from 12 to 16.

In 2000, the last draw of the European Hockey League took place. The tournament resumed 5 years later in the form of the European Cup .

In 2006   the Swedish national team won for the first time in one year gold Olympic medals and the World Cup , and   the women's team was able to win the silver of the Olympic Games , the first of the European teams by playing in the final. Thereby   Swedes violated the long-standing hegemony of teams   Canada and   USA ^[8] .

Since 2007, a 3-point system has been introduced.

In honor of the celebration of the IIHF's 100th anniversary, the 2008 World Cup was first held in   Canada , the homeland of hockey and the long-standing leader of this sport . For the first time, the Asian Ice Hockey Cup was organized for men's national teams . The Victoria Cup , established a year earlier, was also held for the first time. IIHF has 66 national federations .

• Hockey. Big Encyclopedia: In 2 vols. - M.: Terra-Sport, Olympia Press, 2006. T. 1: AR. - 360 p.: Ill. T. 2: C — I. - 448 p.: Ill. (inaccessible link)

• The history of hockey on the IIHF official website
• Chronology of hockey development on the IIHF official website
• IIHF history on the official website
• IIHF Development Ages on the official website (eng.)
• Encyclopedic article “International Ice Hockey Federation”
• IIHF in the Great Hockey Encyclopedia (inaccessible link)
• IIHF on the Hockey Archives website