It won’t be long now before the 2016 World Cup of Hockey begins in Toronto, with eight teams featuring more than 150 top NHL players competing in a best-on-best tournament. How’s that for a feast of hockey to whet the appetite for the start of the new season?
This is the first time since 2004 that the tournament, which started off as the Canada Cup 40 years ago, will be played, with the host nation seeking to defend its crown. Indeed, the current Olympic gold medallists and world champions will be many people’s favourites to keep the winning streak going, but Group A opponents and long-time rivals USA arrive at the tournament with a point to prove after missing out on the medal positions at the World Championship. The top European sides like Finland, Russia and Sweden will also have their eyes on the prize, the Finns hoping to go one better after their runner-up World Championship placing.
Ahead of the tournament, Tucker Hockey (http://www.tuckerhockey.com/adulthockeygroups.asp) produced this infographic preview, which also touches upon the history of the World Cup for younger fans who may not be familiar with its background. Take a look below for a neat hockey fan’s guide to the 2016 World Cup.
Marat Saroka
(F)
KS Naprzód Janów
Kyiv Capitals
Edmunds Augstkalns
(D)
ESC Wohnbau Moskitos EssenKyiv Capitals
Artem Redko
(F)
Energija Elektrénai7bet-Hockey Punks Vilnius
Nojus Jona Kudzevičius
(D)
Hampton Roads Whalers7bet-Hockey Punks Vilnius
Benas Belicenka
(D)
Energija Elektrénai7bet-Hockey Punks Vilnius
Yan Dudko
(D)
Yastreby PinskNeman Grodno
Ricards Jelenskis
(F)
HC VenomHS Prizma Riga
Czech Rep.:
Tipsport extraliga |
1.liga |
2.liga
Slovakia:
Tipsport Extraliga |
1.liga
Sweden:
SHL |
HockeyAllsvenskan
Other: EBEL | Belarus | Croatia | Denmark | Estonia | France | Great Britain | Iceland | Italy | Latvia | Lithuania | MOL-liga | Norway | Poland | Romania | Serbia | Slovenia | Spain | NHL | AHL |
The Swedish Hockey League returns this Saturday, promising another season of tight battles, new faces, and high expectations. From rebuilding projects to title contenders, every team enters with questions to answer and points to prove. ... Read more»
A tournament in transition: from four to six finalists. The 2025–26 IIHF Continental Cup will introduce a fresh twist to its long-running format, as this year’s competition will conclude with a six-team final for the first time in its history. ... Read more»
Finland:
Russia:
Switzerland: