International Ice Hockey Federation

Infobox Organization
name = International Ice Hockey Federation


size = 150 px
motto =
type = Sports federation
formation = 1908
headquarters = Zürich, Switzerland
membership = 66 members
leader_title = President
leader_name = René Fasel
language =
website= http://www.iihf.com/The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) was founded in 1908 as the Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace and is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland and has 66 members. It is responsible for the management of international ice hockey tournaments, and maintains the IIHF World Ranking.

Despite its worldwide authority, the IIHF has little control of hockey in North America where the NHL is the highest hockey organization. Its base of power rests in Europe with the respective national governing bodies and leagues. Canada (Hockey Canada) and the United States (USA Hockey) are the only members who have their own rulebooks.

Decisions of the IIHF can be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The IIHF museum was located within the International Hockey Hall of Fame Museum located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada from 1992 to 1997. After terminating the partnership with the International Hockey Hall Of Fame, the IIHF signed an agreement with the NHL to house their museum within the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1998 the IIHF museum relocated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada occupying over 3,500 Sq. Ft. within the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The IIHF maintains the IIHF Hall of Fame. It was established in 1997, with 30 initial members, and has had inductions annually since then. The Hall of Fame includes players and builders.

As part of the centennial celebrations of the IIHF's founding, the 2008 IIHF World Championship were awarded to Canada, the birthplace of hockey, the first time the championships were hosted in Canada.

Presidents

ee also

*IIHF
**IIHF World Championships
**IIHF World U18 Championships
**IIHF World U20 Championships
**IIHF World Women Championships
**IIHF Women's U18 World Championships
**IIHF Inline Hockey World Championships
**List of members of the International Ice Hockey Federation
**IIHF World Ranking
**Ice hockey at the Olympic Games
**IIHF European Champions Cup
**IIHF European Women Champions Cup
**IIHF Hall of Fame
**IIHF museum
**IIHF Centennial All-Star Team

*Champions Hockey League
*National Hockey League
*List of international ice hockey competitions featuring NHL players

External links

* [http://www.iihf.com/ International Ice Hockey Federation]