The Irish Ice Hockey Association ( IIHA ) is pleased to announce that the Irish National Ice Hockey Teams will participate in the IIHF’s World Championship Tournaments in 2013.
The hosts and teams for 42 tournaments next season were announced at the 2012 IIHF Annual Congress in Helsinki, including all World Championship divisions, where and when they will play and most importantly who Ireland will play against in each of their respective IIHF World Championship Events.
President of the Irish Ice Hockey Association, Mr. William Fay, who represented the IIHA at the 2012 IIHF Annual Congress in Helsinki said that he was very pleased with the outcome after lengthy discussions with fellow nations and also the IIHF, of the Divisions and groups that Ireland was entered into and also added that preparation would begin immediately for next years IIHF World Championship Tournament’s.
Ireland’s participation in the 2013 IIHF Championship Program. Note, the IIHF state the list below is as of 18 May 2012. Dates, venues and participants are subject to change.
SENIOR MEN
The Senior Irish National battled hard in Turkey this year to compete in the bronze medal game against DPR Korea. Unfortunately the Irish side was defeated on the day but the teams fourth place finish in the standings means that Ireland avoids having to play in the qualifiers.
With the groups and hosts now decided, the Boys in Green will travel to Cape Town, South Africa 2013 IIHF World Championship Division III. The tournament will take place from 15th – 21stth April 2013 and Ireland will face host nation South Africa, DPR Korea, Luxembourg and two qualifying teams from Greece, Mongolia, United Arab Emirates, Georgia.
2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division III
In Cape Town (South Africa), 15-21 April 2013
Participants: South Africa, DPR Korea, Luxembourg, Ireland + two qualifiers
The top two teams from the below group will then go on to compete in the Division III tournament.
2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division III Qualification
In the United Arab Emirates, 14-17 October 2012
Participants: Greece, Mongolia, United Arab Emirates, Georgia
SENIOR WOMEN
The Women’s Irish National Team can now look forward to its second ever IIHF World Championship event. Ireland are entered into the 2013 IIHF World Women’s Championship Division II Group B Qualification which will be held in Izmir, Turkey from 1st – 8th December 2013. As well as playing host nation Turkey; Ireland will face Bulgaria.
2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship Division II Group B Qualification
In Izmir (Turkey), 1-8 December 2012
Participants: Bulgaria, Ireland, Turkey
U18 MEN
The results at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championship Division III B in Mexico City, did not go the way of the Irish team. Ireland finished last in the group but the U18 Irish National Team will be looking to rebound and make a lot of noise in 2013. Ireland finds itself back in Group B of Division III, but this time in Izmit in Turkey. The tournament will take place from 2nd- 9th February 2013. Ireland will face the host nation, Turkey, along with South Africa and Israel.
2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division III Group B
In Izmit (Turkey), 2-9 February 2013
Participants: Turkey, South Africa, Israel, Ireland
U20 MEN
As it stands, Ireland are not competing in the IIHF 2013 Men’s U20 Category because currently Ireland do not meet the IIHF Minimum Participation Standards ( MPS ) which are required by the IIHF Statue & By-Laws in order for a Country to enter a new team in that category. However, the IIHA are continuously working to achieve the goal of Ireland’s Under 20’s Team meeting the IIHF MPS in the future and so please keep a careful watch on the IIHA website for all the latest information on this topic, along with all the latest up to date information regarding the IIHA business in both Ice Hockey and In-Line activities / programs.