Best-on-best
Encyclopedia
"Best-on-best" is an ice hockey
term describing a competition that involves most of the elite level of players as possible. Usually it refers to an international men's tournament
that allows professional
players.
The first best-on-best competition of the modern era was the 1972 Summit Series, although this only involved two nations, Canada and the Soviet Union. While the Canadian side included only NHL players and not those of the rival World Hockey Association
(WHA), commentators do not believe this was a major handicap for Canada. Players from the WHA competed in the subsequent 1974 Summit Series
against the Soviet team, but this is rarely considered an example of best-on-best play, as no NHL players were allowed to take part.
After the success of the Summit Series, the NHL and its players' association were interested in being involved in more international play, but were excluded from the Olympics by the International Olympic Committee
's rules, and from the International Ice Hockey Federation
's world championships because of scheduling conflicts. In response they created the Canada Cup
as an alternative. The IIHF responded by moving the world championships to later in the year so that NHL players not in the Stanley Cup playoffs could take part and endorsing the Canada Cup.
The Canada Cup was a six-team tournament held every three to five years from 1976 to 1991 in Canada and the United States
that always featured the most elite level of talent available, both from the NHL and from the European elite leagues. In its five runnings, the tournament was won by Canada four times and by the Soviet Union once. The IIHF describes the initial 1976 tournament as "the first truly international tournament featuring 'best on best' from the best countries in the world". However, many of the Soviets star players, such as Valeri Kharlamov, did not play in the series, as a result they sent a much younger, "experimental" team to Canada. In the 1991 Canada Cup, due to severe political turmoil at home, the Soviets did not have many of its top stars. Many players declined to play for the team, and were purposely left off the roster (such as Pavel Bure
, Vladimir Konstantinov
, etc.) for fears of defection.
In 1996 the Canada Cup was replaced by the World Cup of Hockey
, in which some games were played outside of North America. The World Cup was promoted by the NHL and NHLPA specifically as a "best-on-best" tournament: NHL Vice President Bill Daly
said that the 2004 world cup would "provide the international hockey community with a rare best-on-best tournament format featuring the world's foremost hockey stars from the NHL". NHLPA Senior Director Ted Saskin
said that NHLPA members were looking forward "to the opportunity of playing for their country in this best-on-best tournament."
Only two world cups have been contested, in 1996 (won by the United States) and 2004 (won by Canada). The next installment of the World Cup of Hockey will take place in 2011.
Although professional hockey players were first eligible to compete in the Winter Olympics at the 1988 Calgary Games
, the NHL did not stop its season to allow its players to participate until the 1998 Nagano Games
. The league once again stopped play during the 2002 season for the Salt Lake games
and in 2006 for the Turin games
. These three tournaments are considered to have been best-on-best, and were won by the Czech Republic (1998), Canada (2002), and Sweden (2006). Once Vancouver was awarded the 2010 Olympics
, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to participate again, but no commitment has been made beyond that date.
The IIHF's annual World Ice Hockey Championships have allowed NHL players since the 1970s. However, since the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs
are scheduled at the same time, sometimes, some of the countries top players are not able to take part. The timing of the various best-on-best tournaments, and their impact upon the NHL and European leagues, continues to be a subject of debate. Several different proposals for the Olympics, World Cup, and World Championships were proposed at the World Hockey Summit in Toronto in 2010.
Individual Records:
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
term describing a competition that involves most of the elite level of players as possible. Usually it refers to an international men's tournament
Tournament
A tournament is a competition involving a relatively large number of competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:...
that allows professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
players.
History
Best-on-best play is a relatively recent phenomenon in international ice hockey. Until the 1980s professionals were excluded from the Olympic tournament, and until 1970s NHL players did not take part in the world championships.The first best-on-best competition of the modern era was the 1972 Summit Series, although this only involved two nations, Canada and the Soviet Union. While the Canadian side included only NHL players and not those of the rival World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
(WHA), commentators do not believe this was a major handicap for Canada. Players from the WHA competed in the subsequent 1974 Summit Series
1974 Summit Series
The 1974 Summit Series was the second of two competitions between Soviet and Canadian professional ice hockey players. Canada was represented by World Hockey Association players instead of National Hockey League players, as it had been in the 1972 Summit Series. The Soviet team won the series 4-1-3...
against the Soviet team, but this is rarely considered an example of best-on-best play, as no NHL players were allowed to take part.
After the success of the Summit Series, the NHL and its players' association were interested in being involved in more international play, but were excluded from the Olympics by the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
's rules, and from the International Ice Hockey Federation
International Ice Hockey Federation
The International Ice Hockey Federation is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 70 members...
's world championships because of scheduling conflicts. In response they created the Canada Cup
Canada Cup
The Canada Cup refers to several types of professional sporting events held in Canada: It is also the previous name of the World Cup of Golf and the World Cup of Hockey.* Canada Cup for men's professional ice hockey* Canada Cup...
as an alternative. The IIHF responded by moving the world championships to later in the year so that NHL players not in the Stanley Cup playoffs could take part and endorsing the Canada Cup.
The Canada Cup was a six-team tournament held every three to five years from 1976 to 1991 in Canada and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that always featured the most elite level of talent available, both from the NHL and from the European elite leagues. In its five runnings, the tournament was won by Canada four times and by the Soviet Union once. The IIHF describes the initial 1976 tournament as "the first truly international tournament featuring 'best on best' from the best countries in the world". However, many of the Soviets star players, such as Valeri Kharlamov, did not play in the series, as a result they sent a much younger, "experimental" team to Canada. In the 1991 Canada Cup, due to severe political turmoil at home, the Soviets did not have many of its top stars. Many players declined to play for the team, and were purposely left off the roster (such as Pavel Bure
Pavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
, Vladimir Konstantinov
Vladimir Konstantinov
Vladimir Nikolaevich Konstantinov is a Russian retired professional ice hockey player who played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings. Previously, he had played for Soviet club CSKA Moscow...
, etc.) for fears of defection.
In 1996 the Canada Cup was replaced by the World Cup of Hockey
World Cup of Hockey
The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991...
, in which some games were played outside of North America. The World Cup was promoted by the NHL and NHLPA specifically as a "best-on-best" tournament: NHL Vice President Bill Daly
Bill Daly
William L. "Bill" Daly is an attorney and the Current Deputy Commissioner and chief legal officer of the NHL under Commissioner Gary Bettman. He is also a Hockey Hall of Fame Board Member and former NHL Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. Before joining the NHL front office he worked for the...
said that the 2004 world cup would "provide the international hockey community with a rare best-on-best tournament format featuring the world's foremost hockey stars from the NHL". NHLPA Senior Director Ted Saskin
Ted Saskin
Ted Saskin is the former NHL Players Association executive director. He assumed the title after Bob Goodenow resigned on July 28, 2005, but was unanimously fired by the NHLPA on May 10, 2007, after a union-commissioned report concluded Saskin had quarterbacked a campaign to hack into player email...
said that NHLPA members were looking forward "to the opportunity of playing for their country in this best-on-best tournament."
Only two world cups have been contested, in 1996 (won by the United States) and 2004 (won by Canada). The next installment of the World Cup of Hockey will take place in 2011.
Although professional hockey players were first eligible to compete in the Winter Olympics at the 1988 Calgary Games
Ice hockey at the 1988 Winter Olympics
At the 1988 Winter Olympics one ice hockey event was held, men's ice hockey. Games were played at the Olympic Saddledome, the Stampede Corral, and Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.Source:* Gold - * Silver -...
, the NHL did not stop its season to allow its players to participate until the 1998 Nagano Games
Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics was played at The Big Hat and Aqua Wing Arena in Nagano, Japan.-Men's tournament:The 1998 Olympic men's ice hockey tournament was the first in which professional players from the National Hockey League were allowed to participate, allowing national teams to...
. The league once again stopped play during the 2002 season for the Salt Lake games
Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:...
and in 2006 for the Turin games
Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics
-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
. These three tournaments are considered to have been best-on-best, and were won by the Czech Republic (1998), Canada (2002), and Sweden (2006). Once Vancouver was awarded the 2010 Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the...
, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to participate again, but no commitment has been made beyond that date.
The IIHF's annual World Ice Hockey Championships have allowed NHL players since the 1970s. However, since the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
are scheduled at the same time, sometimes, some of the countries top players are not able to take part. The timing of the various best-on-best tournaments, and their impact upon the NHL and European leagues, continues to be a subject of debate. Several different proposals for the Olympics, World Cup, and World Championships were proposed at the World Hockey Summit in Toronto in 2010.
Timeline
| Year | Competition Name | Winner / Gold Medalist: | Runner-Up / Silver Medalist: | Score | MVP of the tournament |
| 1976 1976 Canada Cup The 1976 Canada Cup was an international ice hockey tournament held September 2–15, 1976, in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Quebec, Canada as well as in Philadelphia, United States. It was the first of five Canada Cup tournaments held between 1976 and 1991... |
Canada Cup Canada Cup The Canada Cup refers to several types of professional sporting events held in Canada: It is also the previous name of the World Cup of Golf and the World Cup of Hockey.* Canada Cup for men's professional ice hockey* Canada Cup... |
6:0, 5:4 a.e.t. |  Bobby OrrBobby Orr Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest... |
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| 1981 1981 Canada Cup The 1981 Canada Cup was the second best-on-best ice hockey world championship and involved the world's top six hockey nations. Tournament games were held in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Ottawa. The Soviet Union defeated Canada in a single game final to win its first title, while Soviet... |
Canada Cup Canada Cup The Canada Cup refers to several types of professional sporting events held in Canada: It is also the previous name of the World Cup of Golf and the World Cup of Hockey.* Canada Cup for men's professional ice hockey* Canada Cup... |
8:1 |  Vladislav TretiakVladislav Tretiak Vladislav Aleksandrovich Tretiak, MSM is a former goaltender for the Soviet Union's national ice hockey team. Considered to be one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of the sport, he was voted one of six players to the International Ice Hockey Federation's Centennial All-Star Team in a... |
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| 1984 1984 Canada Cup The 1984 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament played during the first three weeks of September 1984. The best-of-three final took place between Canada and Sweden, with Canada winning two games to nil... |
Canada Cup Canada Cup The Canada Cup refers to several types of professional sporting events held in Canada: It is also the previous name of the World Cup of Golf and the World Cup of Hockey.* Canada Cup for men's professional ice hockey* Canada Cup... |
5:2, 6:5 | John Tonelli John Tonelli John A. Tonelli is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the New York Islanders, and also played with the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League.-Bio:In 1982 and 1985,... |
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| 1987 1987 Canada Cup The 1987 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament held from August 28 to September 15, 1987. The finals took place in Montreal on September 11 and Hamilton, Ontario, on September 13 and September 15, and were won by Team Canada.... |
Canada Cup Canada Cup The Canada Cup refers to several types of professional sporting events held in Canada: It is also the previous name of the World Cup of Golf and the World Cup of Hockey.* Canada Cup for men's professional ice hockey* Canada Cup... |
6:5 a.e.t., 5:6 a.e.t., 6:5 | Wayne Gretzky Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,... |
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| 1991 1991 Canada Cup The 1991 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament played in September 1991. The finals took place in Montreal on September 14 and Hamilton, Ontario on September 16, and were won by Canada. The Canadians defeated the USA in a two game sweep, to win the fifth and final Canada... |
Canada Cup Canada Cup The Canada Cup refers to several types of professional sporting events held in Canada: It is also the previous name of the World Cup of Golf and the World Cup of Hockey.* Canada Cup for men's professional ice hockey* Canada Cup... |
4:1, 4:2 | Bill Ranford Bill Ranford William Edward Ranford is a former professional ice hockey goaltender and current goaltending coach for the Los Angeles Kings. He graduated from New Westminster Secondary School in 1985. He was selected in the third round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, 52nd overall, by the Boston Bruins... |
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| 1996 1996 World Cup of Hockey The first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey .... |
World Cup of Hockey World Cup of Hockey The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991... |
3:4 a.e.t., 5:2, 5:2 |  Mike RichterMike Richter Michael Thomas Richter is a former ice hockey goaltender. One of the most successful American-born goaltenders in history, he is best known for having led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup title in 1994 and for repeatedly representing the United States in international play. Due to his... |
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| 1998 Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics was played at The Big Hat and Aqua Wing Arena in Nagano, Japan.-Men's tournament:The 1998 Olympic men's ice hockey tournament was the first in which professional players from the National Hockey League were allowed to participate, allowing national teams to... |
Olympics | 1:0 | n/a | ||
| 2002 Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:... |
Olympics | 5:2 | Joe Sakic Joe Sakic Joseph Steven "Joe" Sakic is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and current hockey executive. He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. In his 20-year tenure, Sakic won the Stanley Cup twice, captured numerous NHL... |
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| 2004 2004 World Cup of Hockey The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues... |
World Cup of Hockey World Cup of Hockey The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991... |
3:2 | Vincent Lecavalier Vincent Lecavalier Vincent Lecavalier is a Canadian professional hockey center and captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League .-Rimouski Océanic:... |
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| 2005 2005 IIHF World Championship - Group B :All times local - Group C :All times local - Group D :All times local -Qualifying round:The top three teams from each group in the First Round advance to the qualifying round... |
World Championships | 3:0 | Joe Thornton Joe Thornton Joseph Eric Thornton is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He was selected first overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play seven seasons with the club, five as its Captain. During the... |
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| 2006 Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics -Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and... |
Olympics | 3:2 |  Antero NiittymäkiAntero Niittymäki Antero Pertti Elias Niittymäki is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently a member of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. He has previously played for the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as in the SM-liiga and the American Hockey League... |
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| 2008 2008 IIHF World Championship The 2008 IIHF World Championship was played between May 2 and May 18, 2008 in the Canadian cities of Halifax and Quebec City . The two venues were the Halifax Metro Centre and the Colisée Pepsi... |
World Championships | 5:4 | Dany Heatley Dany Heatley Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002... |
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| 2010 Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the... |
Olympics | 3:2 a.e.t. | Ryan Miller Ryan Miller Ryan Miller is a professional ice hockey goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres.Other people named Ryan Miller:*Ryan Miller , video game designer and author*Ryan Miller , lead singer and guitar player for the band Guster... |
Records
Team Records:- Most championships: Canada, 7
- Most second-place finishes: USA, 3
- Most third-place finishes: Sweden, 3
Individual Records:
- Most games: Chris CheliosChris CheliosChristos Kostas Tselios is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently the Executive Advisor to Ken Holland, the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, a role that Steve Yzerman held before leaving to become general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.Chelios played...
(USA), 47 - Most goals: Wayne GretzkyWayne GretzkyWayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
(CAN), 20 - Most assists: Wayne Gretzky (CAN), 28
- Most points: Wayne Gretzky (CAN), 48
- Most wins: Martin BrodeurMartin BrodeurMartin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
(CAN), Mike RichterMike RichterMichael Thomas Richter is a former ice hockey goaltender. One of the most successful American-born goaltenders in history, he is best known for having led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup title in 1994 and for repeatedly representing the United States in international play. Due to his...
(USA), 13 - Most shutouts: Miika Kiprusoff (FIN), Evgeni NabokovEvgeni NabokovEvgeni Viktorovich Nabokov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who is playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .Nabokov was selected by San Jose in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
(RUS), 3