Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Best Model for International Hockey

Recently with the ongoing FIFA World Cup many have been thinking about the international model that would fit best for hockey. While some such as Bruce Peters of puckworlds.com has debated the Olympics vs. a World Cup as the best model for international competition between hockey nations. The greatest obstacle is centered on the debate of tournament size. There truly are not enough competitive national teams to hold a tournament of 32 without having blow out games. Because of this international hockey’s most important, relevant, and competitive tournament is the Olympics. Trying to change that model would come with difficultly. Ultimately, expansion of the Olympic tournament or a move to a 16-32 team World Cup is far in the distance largely due to the uncompetitiveness of teams outside of the elite hockey countries in the world.

What I want to present is another view on international hockey (influenced again from the soccer model) that highlights the importance of international competition not between national teams, rather between club teams. Ultimately, in the long run growing the game at the club level is what will create more hockey nations suitable for a larger national team competition such as an expanded Olympics or a World Cup.

Within soccer there are numerous times throughout the season that club teams will play teams from other leagues/countries. The IIHF almost had this right with the development of the Champion’s League modeling the European futbol model . Unfortunately, because this year’s season of the IIHF’s Champion’s league was canceled it failed to gain any popularity or legitimacy. However, at the end of the day the Champion’s league will still only be between European club teams therefore it will remain irrelevant outside of Europe. As of right now the re-launch of the Champion’s League has been canceled due to financial disagreements between member clubs, the IIHF, and sponsors (CHL re-launch scratched).

A potential explanation of the cancelation of the resurgence of the Champion’s league may be due to the ongoing development of a Pan-European league which is detailed by Risto Pakerinen at ristopakarinen.com/hockey. In this model, the domestic leagues of various European nations will be broken down into divisions, with cross divisional (therefore cross national) games taking place. This model has more viability then the Champion’s league but also has some downfalls as well (which I will take up in later posts). Another form of almost meaningful cross national club play is exemplified in the competition for the Nordic Trophy between Finish and Swedish club teams which will turn into an expanded tournament called the European Trophy. (Also more on this in later posts).

Ultimately, the sad but true fact is that the idea of international club play becomes more relevant to everyone when North American clubs are involved. As of right now the only tournament that comes close to this notion is the Victoria Cup played between the winner of the Champion’s League, and an NHL challenger. In 2008, the New York Ranger’s played Metallurg Magnitogorsk and rallied to win in the third period being down 0-3. In 2009, the Chicago Blackhawks played the Zurich ZSC Lions and lost 2-1 in a game that was taken seriously by the Lions by not by the Blackhawks. While these games were good in theory, in practice they meant little for the participating NHL clubs who were on their preseason tour through Europe. Before their respective Victoria Cup games the Rangers played an exhibition vs. SC Bern and the BlackHawks against HC Davos.

At times the Victoria Cup games proved to be very entertaining with the flair of European fans shown with waving flags and unison song. North American clubs vs. European clubs are the type of matches that the IIHF should be looking into to promote the game in Europe. When I say North American I mean NHL and AHL clubs. Looking at pure competitiveness AHL clubs can almost certainly compete with European club teams. How cool would it be to see the recent Calder Cup champs vs. a German or Swiss clubs team? Or to take it a step further why can't a handful of NHL or AHL teams play in a club tournament with other European club teams? The Washington Capitals vs. Dynamo Moscow CSKA Moscow would be pretty cool.

So I already know what you’re thinking. When are NHL/AHL clubs going to find it in their schedule to play in a tournament with European Club teams? As of right now, it almost certainly has to continue in the preseason. Continue to play for the Victoria Cup, possibly expand the tournament to include more NHL clubs and European clubs. Have European clubs tour through North America, or even showcase their game for North American fans against other European Club teams.

Overall, the framework for increased international club play under the current model is limited. Drastic changes would need to take place for Hockey to be on the level of soccer and the World Cup. Another limitation directly effecting the competition of club teams is the lack of a transfer agreement between the NHL and other leagues. When a transfer agreement is finally created European club teams will be properly compensated for the transfer of their players to the NHL which will give the European teams more financial mobility. Changes in the NHL regular season schedule may need to happen which will allow more time for games against cross pond competition. It comes down to incentive (money, competitiveness, and economic strength of a Pan Euro League). If the European club teams can find a way to make it worthwhile for North American clubs to play European clubs, then Hockey may be on its way to modeling the format which soccer has become so successful with.

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