International Ice Hockey Federation

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International Ice Hockey Federation


Formation 1908
Type Sports federation
Headquarters Zürich, Switzerland
Membership 65 members
President René Fasel
Website http://www.iihf.com/

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 highest 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 rulebooks.

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, Ontario, 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 Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1998 the IIHF museum relocated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada occupying over 3,500 Sq. Ft. within the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The IIHF maintains the IIHF Hall of Fame. It was established in 1997, with 30 initial members, and has had inductions annually since then. The Hall of Fame includes players and builders.

As part of the centennial celebrations of the IIHF's founding, the 2008 IIHF World Championship were awarded to Canada, the birthplace of hockey, the first time the championships were hosted in Canada.

[edit] Presidents

Name Years
Flag of France Louis Magnus 1908–12
Flag of Belgium Henri Van den Bulcke 1912–14
Flag of the United Kingdom Major B M "Peter" Patton 1914
Flag of France Louis Magnus 1914
Flag of Belgium Henri Van den Bulcke 1914–20
Flag of Switzerland Max Sillig 1920–22
Flag of Belgium Paul Loicq 1922–47
Flag of Switzerland Dr Fritz Kraatz 1947–48
Flag of the United Kingdom George Hardy 1948–51
Flag of Switzerland Dr Fritz Kraatz 1951–54
Flag of the United States Walter Brown 1954–57
Flag of the United Kingdom John F "Bunny" Ahearne 1957–60
Flag of Canada Robert Lebel 1960–63
Flag of the United Kingdom John F "Bunny" Ahearne 1963–66
Flag of the United States William Thayer Tutt 1966–69
Flag of the United Kingdom John F "Bunny" Ahearne 1969–75
Flag of Germany Dr Gunther Sabetzki 1975–94
Flag of Switzerland René Fasel 1994–present

[edit] See also

IIHF Headquarters in Zurich
IIHF Headquarters in Zurich

[edit] External links