World Hockey Championships: Proposed New Format

World Hockey Championships: Taking a Chapter From March Madness’ Book

From a North American point of view, the annual World Hockey Championships is perhaps the least exciting international tournament. Between on-going Stanley Cup Playoffs, and some players choosing not to participate, it’s understandable why the NHL and IIHF fail to capture significant interest from the Western world.

What if we could do something to change that, while, at the same time benefit the hockey world as a whole in the process? There may just be a way.

The NHL/IIHF is sitting on a potential gold mine, and the idea stems from one of North America’s most exciting and watched annual events, NCAA Basketball’s March Madness. Bracket challenges are at the forefront this time of year as the tournament sits just around the corner.

What if the World Hockey Championships changed to a single-elimination bracket format? But, instead of various countries competing against one another, the best professional clubs matched up head-to-head. Let me explain.

World Hockey Championship: Round of 32

To begin, 32 teams would be suitable, with the ability to expand in the future.

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NHL Participants

The NHL provides eight teams (best of non-playoff teams). For example: 9th,10th,11th in Eastern and Western Conference, plus two Wild-Card spots for the next two best records (due to uneven conferences).

NHL teams would occupy the top eight spots, meaning they would rank either 1st or 2nd within their group.

This gives NHL teams a reason not to tank. Participation in the WC would lead to added revenue generated for each club participating. Added international exposure can lead to merchandise sales, NHL game center live purchases, etc.

NHL organizations already have international fan clubs if you look through social media. That would only expand.

There are many ways in which a tournament of this manner can generate money for leagues, teams, and players themselves. All of a sudden general managers have another bonus incentive to work with during contract negotiations.

Also, participating NHL teams likely have a greater chance at signing an international free agent they faced off against, opposed to the six basement teams of the NHL.

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)

The next best pro league contains nearly as many teams as the NHL. They’ve expanded into Eastern Europe with mixed results – they’re set to expand into China (Beijing) in 2016-17. Realistically, the KHL could send its top two finishers from each division (regular season), also providing eight teams. KHL teams would occupy the 3rd and 4th rankings.

Swedish Elite (SHL)

Europe’s third best league would provide its top four finishers in the regular season. Swedish Elite teams would occupy the 5th ranking. 

Finnish Elite (SM-Liiga)

Also providing four teams would be Finland’s SM-Liiga. Same as above, top four finishers from the regular season compete. Liiga teams occupy the 6th ranking.

Top 2 Finishers – NLA (Swiss), DEL (Germany), Extraliga (Czech), Extraliga (Slovakia)

Occupying the 7th/8th slots can be determined by a selection committee from the various above leagues. As other European leagues strengthen, the World Hockey Championships could eventually expand to a Round of 64, similar to NCAA’s bracket format.

Final Thoughts

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The above puts more emphasis on regular season success, other than playoff positioning. It can give NHL teams extra reason to perform down the stretch, or give European clubs incentive to spend more on free agents/scouting. It’s a win-win for the hockey world as a whole.

Like most international tournaments, it would function on a bi-annual rotational basis moving back-and-forth from North America to Europe. Following the NCAA format, the tournament can be held in four different regions, with each group occupying one region.

If the tournament were held in North America:

Northwest: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Colorado, etc.
Southwest: California teams, Arizona, etc.
Northeast: Toronto, Montreal, New York, etc.
Southeast: Florida team, Carolina, St.Louis, etc.

You can find a way to give all 30 NHL clubs an opportunity to host at least once over 7-8 year period.

If the tournament were held in Europe:

Given this area of land consists of several countries within close range. The IIHF could simply award countries via bids to host.

Not only does this create an economic boost for the four participating countries/cities. By spreading the tournament across a vast region, it offers more hockey fans an opportunity to purchase tickets, and watch live.

International Exposure:

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Scouting continues to get better in hockey. But there is still a gap between North American and European exposure. This is evident when you have 210 NA skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s radar, and only 134 European Skaters.

Not only would this format give those EU players added exposure, but it also gives the general hockey fan an opportunity to see overseas talent. A tournament such as this could lead to added NHL signings. All it takes is a Martin Gerber-like performance (when he shutout the Canadians) to knock off an NHL team in single elimination.

The NHL has expressed interest in growing the game internationally. Aside from expansion to Europe, or added NHL games played overseas, this is the next best option to generate interest globally.

This would be a win-win for all involved. From a business point of view, the NHL and IIHF are lined up for short-term and long-term monetary gains. Fans are treated to an exciting format of hockey with an opportunity to watch players/teams they’d otherwise never see.

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Giving more significance to regular season standings gives players extra incentive to stay competitive, but added monetary incentive would be helpful. A cash reward for the winner, or player of the game would work. Including bonuses in NHL contracts for participation is another way.

Most importantly, this would be the right move for the sport as a whole. What better way to grow the sport than to come together once a year in a global partnership.

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Curious what the bracket format might look like? Using last season’s final standings (2014-15), a World Hockey Championships would resemble something such as this:

Group A:

1 Boston (NHL)
8 Litvinov (Czech)

4 Avangard (KHL)
5 Linkoping (SHL)

3 Sibir (KHL)
6 Karpat (SM-Liiga)

2 Philadelphia (NHL)
7 ZSC Lions (NLA)

Group B:

1 Los Angeles (NHL)
8 Mannheim (DEL)

4 Magnitogorsk (KHL)
5 Vaxjo (SHL)

3 AK Bars (KHL)
6 Tappara (SM-Liiga)

2 San Jose (NHL)
7 Bern (NLA)

Group C:

1 Dallas (NHL)
8 Nitra (Slovakia)

4 Jokerit (KHL)
5 Frolunda (SHL)

3 SKA St.Petersburg (KHL)
6 Lukko (SM-Liiga)

2 Colorado (NHL)
7 Kosice (Slovakia)

Group D:

1 Florida (NHL)
8 Munchen (DEL)

4 Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
5 Skelleftea (SHL)

3 CSKA (KHL)
6 JYP (SM-Liiga)

2 Columbus (NHL)
7 Trinec (Czech)

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The above is a rough sample of what a tournament might resemble. There is also an option to play best-of-3 series in the Final Four and/or Championship.

Much like NCAA’s March Madness, we would expect the finals to see several number one or two ranked teams (NHL clubs).

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At the same time, with single elimination in the round of 32, 16, and 8, the possibility exists for a Cinderella story to knock off an NHL or KHL club – much like those rare international wins when Latvia or Switzerland beats a powerhouse Canadian/American squad. Need not worry about blowouts – a number 16 has never knocked out a number one in NCAA Basketball. Number seven/eight ranked teams in this proposed format should be long shots to win.

What better way to measure up the world’s hockey talent than to have them square off head-to-head.