IIHF Wants The Return Of A European Club Tournament

The Int'l Ice Hockey Federation "revealed its plans for the return of a European Champions League," according to KICKER.de. The world governing body announced Monday that it is "working extensively on the comeback of the European club tournament." Concrete plans "will be presented" by June. Three years ago the Champions Hockey League "folded after only one season." Reason for the competition's failure were difficulties to find sponsors, failure to agree on a format and the lack of interest of from the leagues. A role model for the new Champions League could be the successful European Trophy. The "high-quality preseason tournament is currently the only European-wide hockey competition." The IIHF held a meeting with national hockey federations, European hockey leagues, the Russian KHL and the European Trophy, which resulted in the proclamation of a new European club tournament. The deadline for task force proposals will be in June (KICKER.de, 8/20).