IIHF cancels multiple events for 2021

It appears the COVID-19 pandemic will be forcing the IIHF to cancel multiple events for the 2021 international calendar. All lower levels of the men's, women's and U-18 World Championships have been cancelled with the exception of the 2021 IIHF World Juniors, 2021 IIHF Men's World Championship, 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship, and the 2021 IIHF U-18 World Championship.

Due to the continuing #covid19 pandemic with restrictions and concerns for hosts and participants, the IIHF Council had to cancel most of its men's, women's and men's U18 events scheduled in spring and further postpone the women's Olympic Qualification. https://t.co/KyWZD3fTVp— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) November 18, 2020

18 tournaments in total will be cancelled. Here is a list of all cancellations:

- 2021 IIHF Men's World Championship division 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and 4;

- 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship division 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 3;

- 2021 IIHF U-18 World Championship division 1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, and 3B.

Because all Men's, Women's and U-18 lower levels are cancelled for 2021, no countries in the top divisions will face relegation, meaning the same nations for the 2021 top divisions will be back for 2022 tournaments.

In addition to the cancellations, Women's Olympic qualifying events have been postponed. The pre-qualification round, which was set for August 2021, is now going to be played in October 2021, and the final qualification round, which was also scheduled for August 2021, will now be played in November 2021. The postponement of these events is pending confirmation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“During the last Council meeting we agreed that to require each tournament host to operate a competition 'bubble‘ was not a practical request for most organizers outside of the top divisions,” said IIHF President René Fasel. “The capability of these organizers to hold a tournament has been reduced significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the IIHF does not have the resources necessary to properly supervise the safe operation of these tournaments.”

Fasel went on to add: “What we can do is to shield these tournament organizers and the participating teams from potentially devastating financial losses, by taking the unpleasant but necessary step to initiate these cancellations now before travel plans and arena preparations begin.” “As much as we regret to have to take this decision, this is about survival and the protection of our members.”

Source: IIHF

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