International Ice Hockey Federation

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The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) was founded in 1908 as the Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace and is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland and has 65 members. It is responsible for the management of international ice hockey tournaments, and maintains the IIHF World Ranking.

Despite its worldwide authority, the IIHF has little control of hockey in North America where the NHL is the largest hockey organization. Its base of power rests in Europe with the respective national governing bodies and leagues. Canada (Hockey Canada) and the United States (USA Hockey) are the only members who have their own rulebook.

Decisions of the IIHF can be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The IIHF museum was located within the International Hockey Hall of Fame Museum located in Kingston, Canada from 1992 to 1997. After terminating the partnership with the International Hockey Hall Of Fame, the IIHF signed an agreement with the NHL to house their museum within the NHL sponsored Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1998 the IIHF museum relocated to Toronto, Canada occupying over 3,500 Sq. Ft. within the NHL sponsored Hockey Hall of Fame.