The Int'l Ice Hockey Federation and NHL will have to work together in their efforts to raise hockey's global appeal, including on the possibility of a Ryder Cup-style format at the next World Cup, IIHF President René Fasel said. The revived World Cup of Hockey, which concluded last week, showed the potential for new formats in the sport. The biggest surprise in the tournament -- aside from Team USA's poor performance -- was arguably the strong showing of Team Europe, which finished runner-up behind Team Canada. It was the first time a team representing players from eight European nations competed in an IIHF-sanctioned event. Team Europe along with Team North America, consisting of U.S. and Canadian players under the age of 23, excited the crowds at Toronto's Air Canada Centre with their fast-paced style of play. The two teams competed against six national squads at the 12-day event. The next World Cup of Hockey is set to be played in '20, however, neither format nor host city or cities have been confirmed. "There are so many factors," Fasel said in an interview with IIHF.com. "We have to work with the NHL to see what the World Cup format will be in four years. We have to look at a Ryder Cup format like they have in golf. We have to have discussions." The World Cup of Hockey saw 184 of the world's best hockey players compete against each other, a feat previously only seen in Olympic tournaments. Building on the success of the event and the uncertainty surrounding the involvement of NHL players at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, Fasel hopes new formats such as the World Cup could quench fans' thirst for elite int'l hockey. "The fans, after the players, are the most important, so we must give them the best show," he said. "It can’t be about the money. The best part of the Olympics or FIFA World Cup is that it’s only every four years."
NOT DONE YET: The IIHF president confirmed that negotiations between the world governing body, IOC, NHL and NHLPA concerning player participation at the Olympics in South Korea are still ongoing. He also acknowledged that the World Cup will have an impact on the IIHF's annual world championships. "Now that the top players play 100 games a year, it’s too much," Fasel said. "So if they don’t want to play in the World Championship, I understand. But at the same time, that gives a chance for a young player to play." No matter the developments in global hockey, Fasel believes the Olympics should remain the premier stage for "best-on-best" hockey.
