Canada has missed out on the world hockey scene for the first time in a quarter of a century. However, there is room for Latvia and Kyrgyzstan.

Canada has missed out on the world hockey scene for the first time in a quarter of a century. However, there is room for Latvia and Kyrgyzstan. 0

Sports

Publication date 02.10.2026 20:03

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Canada has been without a place in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for the first time since the 1990s. President of Hockey Canada Katherine Henderson did not receive enough votes and did not enter the new composition of the IIHF Council.

Last time Canada was without a place in the governing body of world ice hockey was from 1994 to 1998, writes The Athletic.

Canada is one of the leading and most decorated countries in world ice hockey. The national team has 28 victories in world championships, nine Olympic gold medals, five times it has been a silver medalist, and three times a bronze medalist at the Games.

The new president of the IIHF is German Franz Reindl, who replaced Frenchman Luc Tardif, who led the IIHF since 2021 and decided not to run for re-election.

The IIHF council also includes Czech Petr Briza, who was elected as the senior vice president of the IIHF, regional vice presidents — American Mike Trimboli (Americas and Oceania), Korean Suzy Jo (Asia), and Slovak Igor Nemecek (Europe).

Also in the council are Hungarian Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer, Swiss Merv Tunali, Finn Heikki Hietanen, Aivaz Omorkanov from Kyrgyzstan, Viesturs Koziols from Latvia, Swede Anders Larsson, New Zealander Andy Mills, Pole Marta Zawadzka, Bulgarian Stoyan Bachvarov, and Belarusian Sergey Goncharov.