This is the Eirball – Irish North American and World Sports Archive landing page for links to articles featuring the playoff results and tables (standings) of North American and World Ice Hockey, with a focus, where possible on Irish connections with those leagues, whether players, coaches, teams or management. To view a particular article just click on the links in red/blue (purple)

Introduction

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) governs World Ice Hockey, however, confusingly, there are two different sets of rules and rink sizes in operation: The Olympic Standard (used in Europe with larger and wider rinks and less physical play) and the North American Standard (NHL-sized rinks and less contraints on physical contact).

Since 1996 a separate World Championship (IIHF – Olympic rules) and World Cup (NHL – North American rules) for the two slightly different versions have been played, as well as the Winter Olympic Games (IIHF – Olympic rules). The World Cup of Ice Hockey is a successor the the Canada Cup and started in 1996. The Canada Cup and World Cup of Ice Hockey allow Countries to field full teams of NHL Professionals, not allowed in the Olympic Games. [Reference: IIHF and Horst Eckert: Eishockey Almanach 97 / International I.I.H.F. Yearbook 1996-97. Copress Sport. Munich, Germany, (1996)]

The National Hockey League system (NHL – North America, United Kingdom and Australia) includes the National Hockey League (Canada and USA), Canadian Hockey League, American Hockey League (Official NHL Minor league or “Division 2”), Elite Ice Hockey League (UK), Australian Ice Hockey League and numerous other North American Minor leagues, as well as College Ice Hockey and State -level Ice Hockey leagues (Ice Hockey is the Official State Sport of Minnesota).

The Olympic Hockey system includes the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL – Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States as well as a few neighbouring countries), Champions Hockey League (European Champions League) as well as the National Leagues of Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and numerous other European Union countries including Ireland, Scotland and England (although the last two are no longer members of the EU). China, Japan, and a number of other countries Worldwide feature in this system.

There are also variations of Ice Hockey, such as Bandy (Ice Hockey with a ball rather than puck) which is popular in Russia, and Ringette (non-contact Ice Hockey with a straight stick which used to push a ring around the rink rather than a puck) which is popular in Canada, particularly among Women. Another variation on Ice Hockey is Roller Hockey, which comes in two varieties, both played on a hard surface such as a community centre floor: Roller Hockey (played with a ball and quad skates – one wheel at each corner rather than in a line) which is the National Sport of Portugal, and Inline Hockey (played with a puck and inline skates – four wheels in a line).

For Irish Ice, Inline and Roller Hockey Leagues please see this page: https://eirball.ie/ice-hockey/ or navigate to the “Ice Hockey” Tab on the Navigation Bar above.

Elite Ice Hockey Leagues (Commonwealth of Nations)

Elite Ice Hockey Leagues are primarily composed of countries within the Commonwealth of Nations. These Leagues are based on the National Hockey League (North American) rules and rink sizes rather than the IIHF (Olympic) system of rules and rink sizes. These Leagues include the Elite Ice Hockey League (UK) and Australian Ice Hockey League. Belfast Giants have played in the Elite Ice Hockey League and its predecessor the Ice Hockey Superleague since 2000.

National Hockey League (North America)

The National Hockey League was founded in Canada in 1917, and now hasteams throughout Canada & USA. The World Hockey Association was a Major League rival to the NHL in the 1970s and merged with the NHL in 1979.

American Hockey Leagues (USA)

The American Hockey League system is aligned with the National Hockey League (NHL) and features AAA League the American Hockey League; AA League the ECHL; and A Leagues the Southern Professional Hockey League and the Federal League.

College & State Ice Hockey (USA)

Ice Hockey is the official State Sport of Minnesota.

Kontinental Hockey League (Russia and East Europe)

The Kontinental Hockey League replaced the old USSR Supreme League, and is primarily based in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, which replaced the USSR. It has played for the Victoria Cup between the winners of the NHL and KHL on three occasions.

Champions Hockey League (West Europe)

As well as playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), the Belfast Giants can compete in the Champions Hockey League (European Champions League) along with other West European and European Union countries Champions.

Bandy (Russia, Scandinavia)

Bandy is one of Russia’s National Sports, where it is known as Hockey with a Ball as opposed to Hockey with a Puck (Ice Hockey). It is played on Ice with a ball rather than a puck.

Versions of the sport include Innebandy (also known as Floorball in Europe or Ball Hockey in North America) where runners are used on a hard floor rather than blades or roller skates. (see https://eirball.ie/roller-hockey/ for more details on Floor Hockey and Ball Hockey – Floorball results also available at: https://eirball.ie/floorball/ and Ball Hockey Results also available at: https://eirball.ie/ball-hockey/ )

Ringette (Canada)

Ringette is a game similar to Ice Hockey, with the main differences being no contact is allowed, and a straight stick and ring is used rather than a curved stick and puck.

It is most popular in Canada, and especially in the Maritime or Atlantic Provinces, where there are Leagues for Women and Underage players in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Roller Hockey (Portugal, Brazil)

Roller Hockey is like Ice Hockey or Inline Hockey but played on a hard surface (such as a community centre floor) with a ball and quad skates (four wheels – one at each corner – rather than in a line). It is extremely popular in Portugal, where it is a National Sport, as well as in Brazil and around the world.