Ice hockey at the Olympic Games
Encyclopedia
Ice hockey
tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games
since 1920. The men's tournament was introduced at the 1920 Summer Olympics
and was transferred permanently to the Winter Olympic Games
programme in 1924. The women's tournament was first held at the 1998 Winter Olympics
. The Olympic Games were originally intended for amateur athletes
until 1988, and the National Hockey League
(NHL) did not allow its players to compete until 1998. From 1924 to 1988, the tournament started with a round-robin
series of games and ended with the medal round. Medals were awarded based on points accumulated during that round. The games of the tournament follow the rules
of the International Ice Hockey Federation
(IIHF), which differ slightly from the rules used in the NHL
. The tournament follows the World Anti-Doping Agency
's (WADA) rules on performance enhancing drugs and the IIHF maintains a Registered Testing Pool, a list of top players who are subjected to random in-competition and out-of-competition drug tests. Several players have tested positive for banned substances since the 1972 Winter Olympics
.
In the men's tournament, Canada
was the most successful team of the first three decades, winning six of seven gold medals. Czechoslovakia
, Sweden and the United States
were also competitive during this period and won multiple medals. Between 1920 and 1968, the Olympic hockey tournament was also counted as the Ice Hockey World Championship
for that year. The Soviet Union first participated in 1956
and overtook Canada as the dominant international team, winning seven of the nine tournaments in which they participated. The United States won gold medals in 1960
and in 1980
, which included their "Miracle on Ice
" upset of the Soviet Union. Canada went 50 years without a gold medal, before winning one in 2002
, and following it up with another in 2010
. Other nations to win gold include Great Britain in 1936
, the Unified Team in 1992
, Sweden in 1994
and 2006
and the Czech Republic
in 1998
. Other medal-winning nations include Switzerland, Germany
, Finland
and Russia.
In 1986, the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) voted to allow all athletes to compete in Olympic Games held after 1988. The NHL was initially reluctant to allow its players to compete because the Olympics are held in the middle of the NHL season, and the league would have to halt play if many of its players participated. However, NHL players were allowed to compete starting in 1998. The format of the tournament was adjusted to accommodate the NHL schedule; a preliminary round was played without NHL players or the top six teams—Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States—followed by a final round which included them. The tournament format was changed again in 2006; every team played five preliminary games with the full use of NHL players.
In July 1992, the IOC voted to approve women's hockey as an Olympic event; it was first held at the 1998 Winter Olympics
in Nagano. The Nagano Organizing Committee was hesitant to include the event because of the additional costs of staging the tournament, but an agreement was reached that limited the field to six teams, and ensured that no additional facilities would be built. The Canadian and American teams have dominated the event, typically losing only to each other. The United States won the first tournament in 1998, while Canada won in 2002, 2006 and 2010.
in Antwerp, Belgium
. At the time, organised international ice hockey was still relatively new. The International Ice Hockey Federation
(IIHF), the sport's governing body
, was created on May 15, 1908, under the name Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace. At the 1914 Olympic Congress
in Paris, ice hockey was added to the list of optional sports that Olympics organisers could include. The decision to include ice hockey for the 1920 Summer Olympics was made in January, three months before the start of the Games. Several occurrences led to the sport's inclusion in the programme. Five European nations had committed to participating in the tournament and the managers of Antwerp's Palais de Glace stadium refused to allow the building to be used for figure skating
unless ice hockey was included. The IIHF considers the 1920 tournament to be the first Ice Hockey World Championship
. From then on, the two events occurred concurrently, and every Olympic tournament until 1968
is counted as the World Championship. The Olympic Games were originally intended for amateur athletes
, so the players of the National Hockey League
(NHL) and other professional leagues were not allowed to play.
The first Winter Olympic Games
were held in 1924 in Chamonix
, France. Chapter 1, article 6, of the 2007 edition of the Olympic Charter
defines winter sports as "sports which are practised on snow or ice". Ice hockey and figure skating
were permanently integrated in the Winter Olympics programme. The IOC made the Winter Games a permanent fixture and they were held the same year as the Summer Games until 1992. Following that, further Winter Games have been held on the third year of each Olympiad.
The men's tournament held at the 1920 Summer Olympics was organised by a committee that included future IIHF president Paul Loicq
. The tournament used the Bergvall System, in which three rounds were played. The first round was an elimination tournament that determined the gold medal winner. The second round consisted of the teams that were defeated by the gold medal winner; the winner of that round was awarded the silver medal. The final round was played between teams that had lost to the gold or silver medal winners; the winner of that round received the bronze medal.
The tournament was played from April 23 to April 29 and seven teams participated: Canada
, Czechoslovakia
, the United States
, Switzerland
, Sweden
, France
and Belgium
. Canada chose to send the Allan Cup
-winning Winnipeg Falcons
. The Americans began a tournament to determine their representative team but abandoned it, deciding instead to send an all-star team that included four Canadian-born players. The Swedish team consisted of mostly bandy
players, many of whom had only started playing hockey in preparation for the tournament. Canada won all three of the team's games in the first round and won the gold medal, defeating Sweden in the final and outscoring opponents 27–1. In the two subsequent rounds, the United States and Czechoslovakia won the silver and bronze medals respectively. The Bergvall System was criticised, especially in Sweden, because the Swedish team had to play six games (winning three) while the bronze medal winning Czech team only had to play three (winning one). Erik Bergvall
, the creator of the system, stated that it was used incorrectly and that a tournament of all of the losing teams from the first round should have been played for the silver medal. Because of these criticisms, the Bergvall System was not used again for ice hockey.
, the tournament was played in a round-robin format
, consisting of a preliminary round and a medal round. The medals were awarded based on win–loss records during the medal round. This format was used until 1988
, although the number of teams and games played varied slightly. The Toronto Granites
, representing Canada, became one of the dominant hockey teams in Olympic history, outscoring opponents 110–3, led by Harry Watson, who scored 36 goals. The United States
won silver and Great Britain
won bronze. Watson's 36 goals remains the tournament record for career goals. He also set the record for career points with 36 (assists were not counted at the time), which stood until 2010.
Eleven teams participated in the 1928 Winter Olympics
in St. Moritz
, Switzerland. The Canadian team
was given a bye
to the medal round and won all of its games by a combined score of 38–0. The Swedish
and Swiss
teams won their first medals—silver and bronze respectively—and a German
team participated for the first time, finishing ninth. At the 1932 Winter Olympics
, Canada
won gold in a tournament that consisted of four teams that played each other twice. Germany
won bronze, the nation's first medal in the sport.
Two days before the 1936 Winter Olympics
in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
, Germany, Canadian officials protested that two players on the British team
—James Foster and Alex Archer
—had played in Canada but transferred without permission to play for clubs in the English National League
. The IIHF agreed with Canada, but Great Britain threatened to withdraw the team if the two were barred from competing. To avoid a conflict, Canada withdrew the protest shortly before the Games began. The tournament consisted of four groups and fifteen teams. Great Britain became the first non-Canadian team to win gold; Canada won silver and the United States
bronze. World War II
forced the cancellation of the 1940
and 1944 Winter Olympics
.
During the run-up to the 1948 Winter Olympics
in St. Moritz, Switzerland, a conflict broke out between two American ice hockey bodies, the American Hockey Association (AHA) and the Amateur Athletic Union
(AAU). The AAU, which had run amateur hockey in the United States since 1930, was expelled by the IIHF in 1947 when it refused to support a team composed of players from the AHA. The AAU stated that the AHA players were "openly paid salaries"; at the time, the Olympics were strictly for amateur players. The Swiss Olympic Organizing Committee (SOOC) had accepted the AHA's application, but Avery Brundage
of the United States Olympic Committee
(USOC) threatened to withdraw the entire American team if the AHA participated in the Olympics. The IIHF countered by threatening to withdraw hockey from the Games if the AHA were banned. The IOC suggested that both American teams be banned but the SOOC rejected this proposal. The IOC decided to switch hockey to an unofficial event but relented when a compromise was reached. The AHA team was allowed to compete but would not be considered an official participant or allowed to win a medal. The AHA team finished fourth in the standings. Both Czechoslovakia
and Canada
won seven games and tied when they played each other. The gold medal winner was determined by goal difference
: Canada won the gold because it had an average of 13.8 goals per game compared to Czechoslovakia's average of 4.3. Czechoslovakia's team was quickly improving; it won the 1947
and 1949 World Championships
.
At the 1952 Winter Olympics
in Oslo
, Norway, the gold medal was won by Canada's team
for the second consecutive Games. It would be the last time that a Canadian team would win a gold medal in hockey for 50 years. The United States
won silver and Sweden
won bronze. A team from Finland competed for the first time.
The Soviet Union competed in its first World Championship in 1954
, defeating Canada and winning the gold medal. At the 1956 Winter Olympics
in Cortina d'Ampezzo
, Italy, the Soviet team
went undefeated and won its first gold medal. Canada's team lost to the Soviets and the United States
in the medal round, winning the bronze. The 1960 Winter Olympics
, in Squaw Valley
, United States, saw the first, and to date only, team from Australia compete in the tournament. Canada
, the Soviet Union
, Czechoslovakia
and Sweden
were the top four teams heading into the Games, but were all defeated by the American team
, which won all seven games en route to its first Olympic gold medal. Canada won the silver medal and the Soviet Union won the bronze.
At the 1964 Winter Olympics
in Innsbruck
, Austria, the Soviet team
won all seven of its games, earning the gold medal. Canada
finished the tournament with five wins and two losses, putting the team in a three-way tie for second place with Sweden
and Czechoslovakia
. Before 1964, the tie-breaking procedure was based on goal difference in games against teams in the medal round; under that system, Canada would have placed third ahead of the Czechoslovakian team. During the tournament the procedure was changed to take all games into consideration, which meant that the Canadians finished fourth. At the time, the Olympics counted as the World Championships; under their (unchanged) rules, Canada should have received bronze for the World Championships.
Soviet domination continued at the 1968 Winter Olympics
held in Grenoble
, France, as the team won its third gold medal. Czechoslovakia
and Canada won the silver and bronze medals. It was the last time that the Olympics were counted as the World Championships. In 1970, Canada withdrew from international ice hockey competition following a dispute over the use of professional players, and the team did not participate in the 1972
or 1976 Winter Olympics
. Led by goaltender Vladislav Tretiak
and forwards Valeri Kharlamov, Alexander Yakushev
, Vladimir Petrov
and Boris Mikhailov
, the Soviet team won gold at both the 1972 Games in Sapporo, Japan and 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. In 1971, the United States finished last at the World Championships and was relegated to Pool B. The team qualified for the 1972 Olympics and won silver, making it the first Pool B team to win an Olympic medal. Czechoslovakia
won the bronze medal in 1972. In 1976, Czechoslovakia
won the silver and West Germany
won bronze. Along with Canada, the Swedish, East German and Norwegian teams did not participate in the 1976 tournament in protest of their inability to use professional players.
. Twelve teams participated in the tournament
, including Canada
for the first time since 1968. The Soviet Union
entered the tournament as heavy favourites and were considered natural rivals with the American team due to the Cold War
. The Americans, coached by Herb Brooks
and consisting mainly of college students, tied Sweden
and scored an upset win over Czechoslovakia
in the preliminary round. They finished with four wins and a tie and advanced to the medal round, which also consisted of Sweden, Finland
and the Soviet Union.
The tournament became most famous for the "Miracle on Ice", the February 22 medal-round game between the Soviet Union and the United States that took place at the Olympic Center
(now known as the Herb Brooks Arena). The Soviets scored first, then took a 2–1 lead, but the Americans tied the game with one second left in the first period. In the second period, Soviet goaltender Vladislav Tretiak
was replaced by Vladimir Myshkin
. The Soviets regained the lead early in the second period but the Americans kept the game close thanks to the goaltending of Jim Craig. In the final period, the Americans tied the game and captain Mike Eruzione scored with exactly 10 minutes to play in the contest to give the Americans a 4–3 lead. Craig withstood another series of Soviet shots to finish the match with the win. In the final seconds of the game, American Broadcasting Company
sportscaster Al Michaels
delivered his famous line: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!"
A common misconception is that the Americans won gold the night they beat the Soviets. However, the medals were awarded based on points accumulated against teams that made the medal round. The Americans did not win the gold until February 24, when they defeated Finland 4–2 and finished the tournament undefeated. The Soviets defeated Sweden and won the silver; Sweden won the bronze. In 2008, the IIHF picked the Miracle on Ice as the top international hockey story of the past 100 years.
in Sarajevo
, Yugoslavia
, the Soviet Union
won its sixth gold medal. Czechoslovakia
and Sweden
won the silver and bronze medals. The 1988 Winter Olympics
were held in Calgary
, Alberta
, Canada, where the Soviet team
captured its seventh and final gold medal. The Soviets' last Olympic game was a loss to Finland
. The Finnish team was not considered a serious medal contender—it had competed in the World Championships since 1939 and had not won a single medal. However, Finland upset the Soviets 2–1 and won silver. The IIHF decided to change the tournament format because in several cases, the gold medal winner had been decided before the final day of play. During a congress in 1990, the IIHF introduced a playoff system. The new system was used at the 1992 Winter Olympics
in Albertville
, France. Preliminary round-robin games were held and followed by an eight-team cup-system style medal round that culminated in a gold medal game.
Before 1989, players who lived in the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, and other nations behind the Iron Curtain
were not allowed to leave and play in the NHL. Soviet officials agreed to allow players to leave following the 1989 World Championships
. Many of the Soviet Union's top players left to play in the NHL, including the entire "Green Unit
"—Igor Larionov
, Viacheslav Fetisov
, Vladimir Krutov
, Sergei Makarov
and Alexei Kasatonov
. The Soviet Union dissolved in December 1991. Nine former Soviet states became part of the IIHF and started competing internationally, including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Ukraine. At the 1992 Olympics, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan competed as one entity, known as the Unified Team
. In the final, the Unified Team defeated Canada
to win gold while Czechoslovakia
won the bronze.
Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in January 1993. The IIHF recognized the Czech Republic as the successor to Czechoslovakia, allowing the team to retain its position in the top World Championship division, while Slovakia started in the lowest division (Pool C) in 1994 and was forced to work its way up. Both nations competed in the tournament at the 1994 Winter Olympics
, as did Russia
. Slovakia
and Finland
both finished the preliminary round undefeated. Slovakia lost their medal round quarter-final game to Russia, who later lost to Finland in the bronze medal game. In the gold medal game between Sweden
and Canada
, both teams finished regulation and overtime
play with a 2–2 tie. In the resulting shootout, the first in Olympic competition, both nations scored two goals, which resulted in a sudden death shootout. Peter Forsberg
of Sweden scored one of the most famous goals in Olympic history by faking a forehand shot, then sliding a one-handed backhand shot past goaltender Corey Hirsch
. Canada's final shooter did not score and Sweden won the game and its first gold medal.
In 1995, an agreement to allow NHL players to participate in Olympics was reached between the IOC, IIHF, NHL, and NHL Players' Association (NHLPA). The format of the 1998 tournament
was adjusted to accommodate the NHL's schedule. On February 7, a preliminary round without NHL players or the "Big Six" teams (Canada
, the Czech Republic
, Finland
, Russia
, Sweden
and the United States
) began. The NHL had games on that day, but then halted play for the next 17 days to allow participating players to fly to Japan and recover from fatigue. The tournament format drew criticism for not allowing all teams the full use of their NHL players during the entire event. The top six teams were given a bye
to the final round and began play on February 13. Canada, considered a pre-tournament favourite, was upset in the semi-final round by the Czech Republic and then lost the bronze medal game to Finland. Led by goaltender Dominik Hašek
, the Czech team defeated Russia, who defeated them previously in the round robin, winning its first gold medal in the sport. During the tournament, Pavel Bure
set an Olympic Record for Goals in a Game with 5 against Finland in the Semifinals. Swedish player Ulf Samuelsson
was discovered to have applied for American citizenship. Under Swedish law, when one acquires a foreign passport, their citizenship is annulled. Samuelsson was ejected after having played the first game against Belarus, although Sweden kept their points from the win. The Czech National Olympic Committee felt that Sweden should lose the points and filed a protest with the Court of Arbitration for Sport
, which was rejected. Following the tournament, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman
commented that it "was what we had predicted and hoped for from a pure hockey perspective, [it was] a wonderful tournament".
The same tournament format was used at the 2002 Winter Olympics
in Salt Lake City, United States. The NHL's Olympic break did not start until the second week of the Games. Because the Olympics were in the United States, where the majority of NHL teams are located, teams participating in the preliminary tournament were allowed to use NHL players who were not obligated to play with their NHL club. Slovakia
was particularly affected by the inability to use all of its NHL players, and the team failed to advance to the final round. Three months later, Slovakia won gold at the 2002 World Championships
. Finnish centre
Raimo Helminen
became the first ice hockey player to compete in six tournaments. In the quarter-finals, Belarus
defeated Sweden
in one of the biggest upsets since the Miracle on Ice. The team advanced to the bronze medal game, but lost to Russia
. The Canadian team
rebounded from a disappointing first round and defeated the American team
in the gold medal game, winning their first Gold Medal in 50 years.
The tournament format was adjusted for 2006
. The NHL went on hiatus for the duration of the games, allowing all players to compete. The number of teams was lowered to 12; the top six teams did not get a bye and played five preliminary round games. Sweden
won the gold medal over Finland
and the Czech Republic
won the bronze medal. Three months later, Sweden won the 2006 World Championships
and became the first team to win the Olympic and World Championship gold in the same year.
The 2010 Winter Olympics
were held in Vancouver
, Canada, the first time since NHL players were allowed to compete that the Olympics were held in a city with an NHL team. For the first time, Olympic games were played on a narrower NHL-sized ice rink, measuring 61 metres × 26 metres (200 ft × 85 ft), instead of the international size of 61 m × 30 m (200 ft × 98.5 ft). This change saved an expected $10 million (CAD) in construction costs and allowed more spectators to attend games. Games were played at the UBC Winter Sports Centre
and General Motors Place
, which was renamed Canada Hockey Place during the event because corporate sponsorship is not allowed for an Olympic venue. Twelve teams qualified for the men's event and were split into three groups of four teams. At the NHL's request, the number of preliminary games was lowered to three. Following the completion of the preliminary round, all teams were ranked 1 through 12 based on points. The top four ranked teams received byes to the quarter-finals, and the other eight teams played for the remaining four positions. Following that, the final eight teams competed in a playoff.
Teemu Selänne
of Finland
scored his 37th point, breaking the record of 36 first set by Canadian Harry Watson in 1924 and later tied by Vlastimil Bubník
of Czechoslovakia, and Valeri Kharlamov of the Soviet Union. Slovakia
made the final four for the first time, but lost the bronze medal game to Finland. In the gold medal game, Canada
and the United States
ended regulation play with a 2–2 tie, making it only the second Olympic gold medal match to go into overtime. Canadian player Sidney Crosby
scored the winning goal seven minutes into overtime play to give Canada its eighth gold medal in men's hockey.
as part of their effort to increase the number of female athletes at the Olympics. Women's hockey had not been in the programme when Nagano, Japan had won the right to host the Olympics, and the decision required approval by the Nagano Winter Olympic Organizing Committee (NWOOC). The NWOOC was initially hesitant to include the event because of the additional costs of staging the tournament and because they felt their team, which had failed to qualify for that year's World Championships, could not be competitive. According to Glynis Peters, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
's (CAHA) head of female hockey, "the Japanese would have to finance an entirely new sports operation to bring their team up to Olympic standards in six years, which they were also really reluctant to do." In November 1992, the NWOOC and IOC Coordination Committee reached an agreement to include a women's ice hockey tournament in the programme. Part of the agreement was that the tournament would be limited to six teams, and no additional facilities would be built. The CAHA also agreed to help build and train the Japanese team so that it could be more competitive. The IOC had agreed that if the NWOOC had not approved the event, it would be held at the 2002 Winter Olympics
. The format of the first tournament was similar to the men's: preliminary round-robin games followed by a medal round playoff.
For the 2002 Winter Olympics
, the number of teams was increased to eight and Russia, Germany and Kazakhstan qualified for the first time. The Canadian and American teams went undefeated in the first round and semi-finals, setting up a gold medal rematch that the Canadian team won 3–2. Following the game, members of the Canadian team accused the Americans of stomping on a Canadian flag in their dressing room, although an investigation later proved the rumour false. The Swedish team won the bronze medal over Finland, the nation's first in women's ice hockey.
In 2006
, Italy and Switzerland participated for the first time. The Italian team
, at the time ranked 17th in the world, had qualified because Italy was the host nation. They were outscored 32–1 in three games and IIHF president René Fasel
declared his intention to make future tournaments more competitive and not allow host nations to automatically qualify. The Canadian team
started the tournament by outscoring opponents 36–1 over three games. American defenceman
Angela Ruggiero
accused the team of running up the score
and warned that the event's Olympic status could be called into question due to a perceived lack of competitive teams. In response, René Fasel stated that other women's teams were improving and that there was similar dominance in the early years of the men's tournament but the sport continued to grow. He added, "I promise you that it won't take the [Swedish] women 64 years to win"—in reference to the Swedish men's team inability to defeat Canada in Olympic play until 1984 (the Swedish women's team defeated Canada for the first time at the 2008 4 Nations Cup
).
In its semi-final game, the American team was upset by Sweden, marking the first time that it had lost to an opponent other than Canada. The upset drew comparisons to the Miracle on Ice from 1980. In the medal games, Canada defeated Sweden to claim its second consecutive gold medal, while the Americans beat Finland to win the bronze.
In 2010
, eight teams participated, including Slovakia
for the first time. The Canadian
and American
teams outscored opponents in the preliminary round by 41–2 and 31–1 margins, respectively. This brought on more criticism about uneven competition. IOC president Jacques Rogge
said, "There is a discrepancy there, everyone agrees with that. This is maybe the investment period in women's ice hockey. I would personally give them more time to grow but there must be a period of improvement. We cannot continue without improvement." Swedish
team coach Peter Elander said it is hard for other nations to compete because of a lack of funding and a smaller pool of players to choose from. He said, "The finances for all teams have to be the same. ... If you want to have a close tournament in Sochi (for the 2014 Olympics), have (comparable) national programs in all countries." Some critics suggested that a mercy rule
be implemented to prevent such lopsided scores. René Fasel said the IIHF would consider adding one. A number of coaches, including Chinese
team coach Hannu Saintula, whose team was defeated 12–1 by the Americans, stated that they were against the idea.
In the gold medal game, Canada defeated the United States 2–0 to win their third consecutive gold. The Finnish
team won the bronze medal, their first since 1998.
s to the final round. The number of teams was increased to 14 so that a preliminary round-robin tournament consisting of eight teams could be held. The top two teams from the preliminary round (Belarus
and Kazakhstan
) joined the "Big Six" in the finals. A similar system was used in 2002. For the following tournament, the number of teams was lowered to 12 so that all teams played fewer games. Qualification for the men's tournament at the 2010 Winter Olympics
was structured around the 2008 IIHF World Ranking. Twelve spots were made available for teams. The top nine teams in the World Ranking after the 2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
received automatic berths. Teams ranked 10th through 30th had an opportunity to qualify for the event. Teams ranked 19th through 30th played in a first qualification round in November 2008. The top three teams from the round advanced to the second qualification round, joined by teams ranked 10th through 18th. The top three teams from this round advanced to the Olympic tournament.
The women's tournament uses a similar qualification format. The top six teams in the IIHF Women's World Ranking after the 2008 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships
received automatic berths. Teams ranked 13th and below were divided into two groups for a first qualification round in September 2008. The two group winners advanced to the second qualification round, where the teams ranked seventh through twelfth joined them.
If a player who has never played in an IIHF competition changes their citizenship, they must participate in national competitions in their new country for at least two consecutive years and have an international transfer card (ITC). If a player who has previously played in an IIHF tournament wishes to change their national team, they must have played in their new country for four years. A player can only do this once. The original IOC rules stated that an athlete that had already played for one nation could not later change nations under any circumstances.
Pierre de Coubertin
, founder of the IOC, was influenced by the ethos of the aristocracy as exemplified in the English public schools
. The public schools subscribed to the belief that sport formed an important part of education and there was a prevailing concept of fairness in which practicing or training was considered cheating. As class structure evolved through the 20th century, the definition of the amateur athlete as an aristocratic gentleman became outdated. The advent of the state-sponsored "full-time amateur athlete" of the Eastern Bloc countries further eroded the ideology of the pure amateur, as it put the self-financed amateurs of the Western countries at a disadvantage. The Soviet Union entered teams of athletes who were all nominally students, soldiers, or working in a profession, but many of whom were in reality paid by the state to train on a full-time basis. Nevertheless, the IOC held to the traditional rules regarding amateurism.
The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
(CAHA) felt their amateur players could no longer be competitive against the Soviet team's full-time athletes and the other constantly improving European teams. They pushed for the ability to use players from professional leagues but met opposition from the IIHF and IOC. Avery Brundage
, president of the IOC from 1952 to 1972, was opposed to the idea of amateur and professional players competing together. At the IIHF Congress in 1969, the IIHF decided to allow Canada to use nine non-NHL professional hockey players at the 1970 World Championships in Montreal
and Winnipeg
, Canada. The decision was reversed in January 1970 after Brundage said that ice hockey's status as an Olympic sport would be in jeopardy if the change was made. In response, Canada withdrew from international ice hockey competition and officials stated that they would not return until "open competition" was instituted. Günther Sabetzki
became president of the IIHF in 1975 and helped to resolve the dispute with the CAHA. In 1976, the IIHF agreed to allow "open competition" between all players in the World Championships. However, NHL players were still not allowed to play in the Olympics, because of the unwillingness of the NHL to take a break mid-season and the IOC's amateur-only policy.
Before the 1984 Winter Olympics, a dispute formed over what made a player a professional. The IOC had adopted a rule that made any player who had signed an NHL contract but played less than ten games in the league eligible. However, the United States Olympic Committee maintained that any player contracted with an NHL team was a professional and therefore not eligible to play. The IOC held an emergency meeting that ruled NHL-contracted players were eligible, as long as they had not played in any NHL games. This made five players on Olympic rosters—one Austrian, two Italians and two Canadians—ineligible. Players who had played in other professional leagues—such as the World Hockey Association
—were allowed to play. Canadian hockey official Alan Eagleson
stated that the rule was only applied to the NHL and that professionally contracted players in European leagues were still considered amateurs. Murray Costello
of the CAHA suggested that a Canadian withdrawal was possible. In 1986, the IOC voted to allow all athletes to compete in Olympic Games starting in 1988, but let the individual sport federations decide if they wanted to allow professionals.
The NHL decided not to allow all players to participate in 1988, 1992 or 1994 because the Winter Olympics typically occur in February, during the league's regular season. To allow participation, the NHL would have been forced to take a break in its schedule. In 1992, National Basketball Association
(NBA) players participated in the 1992 Summer Olympics
. The American "Dream Team" dominated the tournament, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman
(an NBA executive in 1992) commented that the "[NBA]'s worldwide awareness grew dramatically". He hoped that NHL participation would "get exposure like the world has never seen for hockey". The typical NBA season is held in the winter and spring, so the Summer Olympics do not conflict with the regular season schedule. Bettman "floated a concept of moving hockey to the Summer Games", but this was rejected because of the Olympic Charter. In March 1995, Bettman, René Fasel, IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch
and NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow
met in Geneva, Switzerland. They reached an agreement that allowed NHL players to participate in the Olympics, starting with the 1998 Games in Nagano
, Japan. The deal was officially announced by the NHL on October 2, 1995. Bettman said: "We're doing this to build the game of hockey, pure and simple, we think whatever benefits are recouped, it will end up making this game bigger, stronger and healthier."
The 2004–05 NHL season was locked out
and eventually cancelled because of a labour dispute between the league and its players. In January 2005, Bettman commented that he was hesitant to allow league participation in the Olympics because he did not like the idea of stopping play mid-season after the cancellation of the previous season. The lockout was resolved in July 2005 and the newly negotiated NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement
allowed league participation in the 2006
and 2010 Winter Olympics
. Some NHL team owners were against their players participating in the tournament because of concerns about injury or exhaustion. Philadelphia Flyers
owner Ed Snider
commented that "I'm a believer in the Olympics and I think it's good for the NHL to participate, having said that, the people who participate should be the ones who are absolutely healthy." Some NHL players used the break as an opportunity to rest and did not participate in the tournament, and several players were injured during the Olympics and were forced to miss NHL games. Bettman said that several format changes were being discussed so that the tournament would be "a little easier for everybody".
, it has not yet been decided if the NHL will participate in the 2014 Winter Olympics
in Russia. A deal will have to be negotiated between the NHL and NHLPA in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
. NHL management is hesitant to commit to the tournament; Bettman argues the Olympic break is a "strain on the players, on the schedule and on fans", adding that "the benefits we get tend to be greater when the Olympics are in North America than when they're in distant time zones." According to Bettman, most of the NHL team owners agree with his position, and feel that the league does not receive enough benefits to justify the schedule break and risk of player injuries. René Fasel wants NHL participation and vowed that he would "work day and night to have NHL players in Sochi". At an October 2008 press conference, then-NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly
stated that the players want to return to the Olympics and will try to include the ability in the next agreement. Russian NHL players Alexander Ovechkin
and Evgeni Malkin
have stated that they want to participate in the tournament and will do so without the permission of the NHL, if necessary. Paul Kelly also believes that the NHL's strained relationship with the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia
and the Kontinental Hockey League
(KHL) could affect participation. In a 2009 interview, KHL president Alexander Medvedev
claimed that the unwillingness of NHL officials to immediately commit to the Sochi Games was "an instrument of pressure" to force a transfer agreement between the two leagues.
. Following the tournament, the IIHF held a congress and decided to adopt the Canadian rules—six men per side and three periods of play.
The tournaments follow the rules used by the IIHF. At the 1969 IIHF Congress, officials voted to allow body-checking
in all three zones in a rink similar to the NHL. Before that, body-checking was only allowed in the defending zone in international hockey. Several other rule changes were implemented in the early 1970s: players were required to wear helmet
s starting in 1970, and goaltender masks became mandatory in 1972. In 1992, the IIHF switched to using a playoff system to determine medalists and decided that tie games in the medal round would be decided in a shootout
. In 1998, the IIHF passed a rule that allowed two-line passes
. Before then, the neutral zone trap
had slowed the game down and reduced scoring.
The current IIHF rules differ slightly from the rules used in the NHL
. One difference between NHL and IIHF rules is standard rink dimensions: the NHL rink is narrower, measuring 61 m × 26 m (200 ft × 85 ft), instead of the international size of 61 m × 30 m (200 ft × 98.5 ft) The larger international size allows for a faster and less physical style of play. Another rule difference between the NHL and the IIHF rules concerns how icing
is called. In the NHL, a linesman stops play due to icing if a defending player (other than the goaltender) touches the puck before an attacking player is able to, in contrast to the IIHF rules in which play is stopped the moment the puck crosses the goal line. The NHL and IIHF also differ in penalty rules. The NHL calls five-minute major penalties for more dangerous infractions of the rules, such as fighting, in addition to the minor and double minor penalties called in IIHF games. This is in contrast to the IIHF rule, by which players who fight are ejected from the game. Beginning with the 2005–06 season, the NHL instituted several new rules. Some were already used by the IIHF, such as the shootout and the two-line pass. Others were not picked up by the IIHF, such as those requiring smaller goaltender
equipment and the addition of the goaltender trapezoid to the rink. However, the IIHF did agree to follow the NHL's league's zero-tolerance policy on obstruction and required referees to call more hooking, holding, and interference penalties.
Each team is allowed to have between 15 and 20 skaters (forwards
and defencemen) and two or three goaltenders, all of whom must be citizens of the nation they play for.
's (WADA) regulations on performance-enhancing drugs. The IIHF maintains a Registered Testing Pool, a list of top players who are subjected to random in-competition and out-of-competition drug tests. According to the WADA, a positive in-competition test results in disqualification of the player and a suspension that varies based on the number of offences. When a player tests positive, the rest of their team is subjected to testing; another positive test can result in a disqualification of the entire team. In 2001, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) pushed for American NHL players who were potential Olympians to be subject to random drug tests. The USOC requires all Olympic-bound athletes to be randomly tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency
, but had exempted NHL players in 1998. The NHL preferred a more uniform method, in which all players would undergo the same number of tests from the WADA. An agreement was reached that the WADA would start testing players after the NHL playoffs were finished.
}
|1976
|Codeine
|None
|Team doctor Otto Trefny, who prescribed Pospíšil the drug as treatment for the flu, received a lifetime ban. The team was forced to forfeit a game against Poland but went on to win the silver medal, which Pospíšil also received.
|align=center|
|-
|
|
|1988
|Testosterone
|18 month suspension from IIHF
|The Polish team was allowed to continue playing without Morawiecki, but were stripped of two points they earned in a victory over France.
|align=center|
|-
|Mattias Öhlund
|
|2002
|Acetazolamide
|None
|Öhlund had inadvertently ingested the substance in medication he was taking after undergoing eye surgery and was not suspended.
|align=center|
|-
|Vasily Pankov
|
|2002
|
|Retroactively disqualified
|Pankov was also forced to return his Olympic diploma. Evgeni Lositski, the team doctor, was banned from the following two Olympics.
|align=center|
|}
In late 2005, two NHL players who had been listed as potential Olympians failed drug tests administered by the WADA. American Bryan Berard
, who had competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics, tested positive for 19-Norandrosterone
. Canadian José Théodore
failed a drug test because he was taking Propecia
, a hair loss medication that contains the non-performance enhancing drug Finasteride. Both players received two-year bans from international competition, although neither had made their team's final roster.
Men:
}||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0||||||||| ||||3
|-
|align=left|
Belgium||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||4
|-
|align=left|
Bulgaria||||||||||||||||||||||||||12||||||||||||||||||||1
|-
|align=left|
Canada||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||||||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=gold|||||bgcolor=gold|||20
|-
|align=left|
Czech Republic||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||bgcolor=gold|||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||5
|-
|align=left|
Czechoslovakia||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||||||bgcolor=silver|||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||16
|-
|align=left|
Finland||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=cc9966|||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=cc9966|||15
|-
|align=left|
France||||||||||||||||||||||14||||||||||11||||10||11||14||||||10
|-
|align=left|
Germany||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||10|||11||9
|-
|align=left|
West Germany||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||10||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||10
|-
|align=left|
German Democratic Republic||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||||||||||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||1
|-
|align=left|
United Kingdom||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||bgcolor=gold|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||4
|-
|align=left|
Hungary||||||11||||||||||||||16||||||||||||||||||||||||||3
|-
|align=left|
Italy||||||||||||||||||||15||||||||||||||12||||12||||11||||9
|-
|align=left|
Japan||||||||||||||||||||11||10||||||12||||||||||13||||||||8
|-
|align=left|
Kazakhstan||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||||2
|-
|align=left|
Latvia||||||||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||12||12||4
|-
|align=left|
Netherlands||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||1
|-
|align=left|
Norway||||||||||||||||||||10||11||||||11||12||12||||11||||||||10||10
|-
|align=left|
Poland||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||10||11||||||||||||13
|-
|align=left|
Romania||||||||||||||||||||12||12||||||||||||||||||||||||4
|-
|align=left|
Russia||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||5
|-
|align=left|
Slovakia||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||10||13||||||5
|-
|align=left|
Soviet Union||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||||||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||9
|-
|align=left|
Sweden||||||bgcolor=silver|||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||bgcolor=silver|||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=cc9966|||||bgcolor=gold|||||||bgcolor=gold|||||20
|-
|align=left|
Switzerland||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||||||||10||11||||||||10||||||11||||||15
|-
|align=left|
Ukraine||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||10|| ||||1
|-
|align=left|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||1
|-
|align=left|
United States||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=cc9966|||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=gold|||||||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=gold|||||||||||||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=silver|||21
|-
|align=left|
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia||||||||||||||||||||14||||11||10||||11||||||||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||5
|- style="background:#ddd" class="unsortable"
|align=left|Total teams||7||8||11||4||15||9||9||10||9||16||14||11||12||12||12||12||12||12||14||14||12||12||247
|}
Women:
Women:
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...
tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
since 1920. The men's tournament was introduced at the 1920 Summer Olympics
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
and was transferred permanently to the Winter Olympic Games
Winter Olympic Games
The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating...
programme in 1924. The women's tournament was first held at the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
. The Olympic Games were originally intended for amateur athletes
Amateur sports
Amateur sports are sports in which participants engage largely or entirely without remuneration. Sporting amateurism was a zealously guarded ideal in the 19th century, especially among the upper classes, but faced steady erosion throughout the 20th century with the continuing growth of pro sports...
until 1988, and the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) did not allow its players to compete until 1998. From 1924 to 1988, the tournament started with a round-robin
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
series of games and ended with the medal round. Medals were awarded based on points accumulated during that round. The games of the tournament follow the rules
Ice hockey rules
The majority of ice hockey around the world is played under the umbrella of three organizations, Hockey Canada, USA Hockey, and the International Ice Hockey Federation, each with their own set of rules...
of 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...
(IIHF), which differ slightly from the rules used in the NHL
National Hockey League rules
While the rules of the National Hockey League follows the general rules of ice hockey, it differs slightly from those used in international games organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation such as the Olympics.-Hockey rink:...
. The tournament follows the World Anti-Doping Agency
World Anti-Doping Agency
The World Anti-Doping Agency , , is an independent foundation created through a collective initiative led by the International Olympic Committee . It was set up on November 10, 1999 in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a result of what was called the "Declaration of Lausanne", to promote, coordinate and...
's (WADA) rules on performance enhancing drugs and the IIHF maintains a Registered Testing Pool, a list of top players who are subjected to random in-competition and out-of-competition drug tests. Several players have tested positive for banned substances since the 1972 Winter Olympics
1972 Winter Olympics
The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
.
In the men's tournament, Canada
Canada at the Winter Olympics
Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games, and has won at least one medal each time. The country's greatest performance was recently at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where Canadian athletes won 26 medals—two more than the 24 they won in the previous Winter Olympics, in Turin, Italy...
was the most successful team of the first three decades, winning six of seven gold medals. Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the Olympics
Czechoslovakia first participated at the Olympic Games in 1920, after having competed as Bohemia from 1900 to 1912. The nation sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games since then, except for the 1984 Games when they participated in the Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Summer...
, Sweden and the United States
United States at the Olympics
The United States of America has sent athletes to every celebration of the modern Olympic Games, except the 1980 Summer Olympics, which it boycotted.The United States Olympic Committee is the National Olympic Committee for the United States....
were also competitive during this period and won multiple medals. Between 1920 and 1968, the Olympic hockey tournament was also counted as the Ice Hockey World Championship
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
for that year. The Soviet Union first participated in 1956
Ice hockey at the 1956 Winter Olympics
At the 1956 Winter Olympics held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. This tournament was also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship. For World Championships Pool B matches were also played between GDR, Norway and Belgium in Berlin...
and overtook Canada as the dominant international team, winning seven of the nine tournaments in which they participated. The United States won gold medals in 1960
Ice hockey at the 1960 Winter Olympics
At the 1960 Winter Olympics held in Squaw Valley, California, United States, one ice hockey event was held: men's Ice Hockey. This tournament was also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship. Games were held at Blyth Arena.Canada, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and...
and in 1980
Ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics was held at the Olympic Arena and the Olympic Fieldhouse in Lake Placid, New York. Twelve teams competed in the tournament, which was held from February 12 to February 24...
, which included their "Miracle on Ice
Miracle on Ice
The "Miracle on Ice" is the name in American popular culture for a medal-round men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, on Friday, February 22...
" upset of the Soviet Union. Canada went 50 years without a gold medal, before winning one in 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:...
, and following it up with another in 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...
. Other nations to win gold include Great Britain in 1936
Ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics
At the 1936 Winter Olympics, Great Britain won the men's ice hockey competition. While only one player on the team was born in Canada, nine of the thirteen players on the roster grew up in Canada, and eleven had played previously in Canada.-Medalists:...
, the Unified Team in 1992
Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics was held at the Méribel Ice Palace in Méribel, a ski resort about 45 km from host city Albertville. The competition, held from 8 to 23 February, was won by the Unified Team.-Final rankings:# # # # # # #...
, Sweden in 1994
Ice hockey at the 1994 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1994 Winter Olympics was held at the Fjellhallen in Gjøvik and the Håkons Hall in Lillehammer, Norway. The competition, held from February 12 to February 27, was won by Sweden and Canada as runner-up.-Final rankings:Source:* Gold -...
and 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...
and the Czech Republic
Czech Republic at the Olympics
The Czech Republic first participated at the Olympic Games as an independent nation in 1994, and has competed in every Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games since then...
in 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...
. Other medal-winning nations include Switzerland, Germany
Germany at the Olympics
German athletes have taken part in most of the Olympic Games since the first modern Games in 1896. Germany has hosted three Olympic Games, in 1936 both the Winter and Summer Games, and the 1972 Summer Olympics. In addition, Germany had been selected to host the 1916 Summer Olympics as well as the...
, Finland
Finland at the Olympics
Finland first participated at the Olympic Games in 1908, and has sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games and every Winter Olympic Games since then. Finland was also the host nation for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki....
and Russia.
In 1986, 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...
(IOC) voted to allow all athletes to compete in Olympic Games held after 1988. The NHL was initially reluctant to allow its players to compete because the Olympics are held in the middle of the NHL season, and the league would have to halt play if many of its players participated. However, NHL players were allowed to compete starting in 1998. The format of the tournament was adjusted to accommodate the NHL schedule; a preliminary round was played without NHL players or the top six teams—Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States—followed by a final round which included them. The tournament format was changed again in 2006; every team played five preliminary games with the full use of NHL players.
In July 1992, the IOC voted to approve women's hockey as an Olympic event; it was first held at the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
in Nagano. The Nagano Organizing Committee was hesitant to include the event because of the additional costs of staging the tournament, but an agreement was reached that limited the field to six teams, and ensured that no additional facilities would be built. The Canadian and American teams have dominated the event, typically losing only to each other. The United States won the first tournament in 1998, while Canada won in 2002, 2006 and 2010.
Inception as an Olympic sport
The first Olympic ice hockey tournament took place at the 1920 Summer Olympics1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
in Antwerp, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. At the time, organised international ice hockey was still relatively new. 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...
(IIHF), the sport's governing body
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
, was created on May 15, 1908, under the name Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace. At the 1914 Olympic Congress
Olympic Congress
An Olympic Congress is a large gathering of representatives from the different constituencies of the Olympic Movement, organised by the International Olympic Committee . As detailed in chapter 1, rule 4 of the Olympic Charter, the IOC President is responsible for convening a Congress, presiding...
in Paris, ice hockey was added to the list of optional sports that Olympics organisers could include. The decision to include ice hockey for the 1920 Summer Olympics was made in January, three months before the start of the Games. Several occurrences led to the sport's inclusion in the programme. Five European nations had committed to participating in the tournament and the managers of Antwerp's Palais de Glace stadium refused to allow the building to be used for figure skating
Figure skating at the 1920 Summer Olympics
At the 1920 Summer Olympics, three figure skating events were contested.Gillis Grafström of Sweden captured the first of three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the men's single event in 1920. 1908 gold medalist Ulrich Salchow finished fourth...
unless ice hockey was included. The IIHF considers the 1920 tournament to be the first Ice Hockey World Championship
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
. From then on, the two events occurred concurrently, and every Olympic tournament until 1968
1968 Winter Olympics
The 1968 Winter Olympics, officially known as the X Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1968 in Grenoble, France and opened on 6 February. Thirty-seven countries participated...
is counted as the World Championship. The Olympic Games were originally intended for amateur athletes
Amateur sports
Amateur sports are sports in which participants engage largely or entirely without remuneration. Sporting amateurism was a zealously guarded ideal in the 19th century, especially among the upper classes, but faced steady erosion throughout the 20th century with the continuing growth of pro sports...
, so the players of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) and other professional leagues were not allowed to play.
The first Winter Olympic Games
1924 Winter Olympics
The 1924 Winter Olympics, officially known as the I Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was held in 1924 in Chamonix, France...
were held in 1924 in Chamonix
Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a commune in the Haute-Savoie département in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It was the site of the 1924 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Olympics...
, France. Chapter 1, article 6, of the 2007 edition of the Olympic Charter
Olympic Charter
The Olympic Charter, last updated March 21, 1992, is a set of rules and guidelines for the organization of the Olympic Games, and for governing the Olympic Movement. Adopted by International Olympic Committee , it is the codification of the Fundamental Principles, Rules and By-laws. French and...
defines winter sports as "sports which are practised on snow or ice". Ice hockey and figure skating
Figure skating at the Olympic Games
Figure skating has been contested in the Olympic Games since the 1908 Summer Olympics. In 1908 and 1920, the figure skating competitions were held in conjunction with the Games of the Olympiad...
were permanently integrated in the Winter Olympics programme. The IOC made the Winter Games a permanent fixture and they were held the same year as the Summer Games until 1992. Following that, further Winter Games have been held on the third year of each Olympiad.
1920 Summer Olympics
Paul Loicq
Paul Loicq was an ice hockey player, referee, and administrator.He was born in Brussels.Loicq is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the "Builder" category in 1961. Born in Brussels, Belgium, he studied law and served with the Belgian armed forces in World War I...
. The tournament used the Bergvall System, in which three rounds were played. The first round was an elimination tournament that determined the gold medal winner. The second round consisted of the teams that were defeated by the gold medal winner; the winner of that round was awarded the silver medal. The final round was played between teams that had lost to the gold or silver medal winners; the winner of that round received the bronze medal.
The tournament was played from April 23 to April 29 and seven teams participated: Canada
Canada at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Canada competed at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. These games marked the introduction of winter sports to the Olympic program ; Canada won its first gold medal for ice hockey.- Gold:...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. It was the first time that the nation had competed at the Summer Olympic Games, after the republic was founded in 1918...
, the United States
United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics
The United States competed at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.- Gold:* Athletics** Men's 100m: Charles Paddock** Men's 200m: Allen Woodring** Men's 3000m: United States team** Men's 400m hurdles: Frank Loomis...
, Switzerland
Switzerland at the 1920 Summer Olympics
- Gold:* Willy Brüderlin, Max Rudolf, Paul Rudolf, Hans Walter and Paul Staub — Rowing, Men's four with coxswain* Robert Roth — Wrestling, Freestyle heavyweight- Silver:* Fritz Hünenberger — Weightlifting, Light heavyweight...
, Sweden
Sweden at the 1920 Summer Olympics
- Gold:* William Petersson — Athletics, Men's Long Jump* Harry Stenqvist — Cycling, Men's Individual Time Trial* Arvid Wallman — Diving, Plain high diving* Janne Lundblad — Equestrian, Individual dressage...
, France
France at the 1920 Summer Olympics
- Gold:* Julien Louis Brule — Archery, Men's Individual moving bird 50m* Joseph Guillemot — Athletics, Men's 5000m* Paul Fritsch — Boxing, Featherweight...
and Belgium
Belgium at the 1920 Summer Olympics
- Gold:* Edmond Cloetens — Archery, Men's Individual fixed large bird* Edmond Cloetens, Louis van de Perck, Firmin Flamand, Edmond van Moer, Joseph Hermans and Auguste van de Verre — Archery, Men's Team fixed large bird...
. Canada chose to send the Allan Cup
Allan Cup
The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s ice hockey champions of Canada. It has been competed for since 1909. The current champion is the Clarenville Caribous hockey club of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:...
-winning Winnipeg Falcons
Winnipeg Falcons
The Winnipeg Falcons were a senior men's amateur ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In the 1919-1920 season, the Winnipeg Falcons won the Allan Cup. That team went on to represent Canada in the 1920 Olympic games held in Antwerp, Belgium...
. The Americans began a tournament to determine their representative team but abandoned it, deciding instead to send an all-star team that included four Canadian-born players. The Swedish team consisted of mostly bandy
Bandy
Bandy is a team winter sport played on ice, in which skaters use sticks to direct a ball into the opposing team's goal.The rules of the game have many similarities to those of association football: the game is played on a rectangle of ice the same size as a football field. Each team has 11 players,...
players, many of whom had only started playing hockey in preparation for the tournament. Canada won all three of the team's games in the first round and won the gold medal, defeating Sweden in the final and outscoring opponents 27–1. In the two subsequent rounds, the United States and Czechoslovakia won the silver and bronze medals respectively. The Bergvall System was criticised, especially in Sweden, because the Swedish team had to play six games (winning three) while the bronze medal winning Czech team only had to play three (winning one). Erik Bergvall
Erik Bergvall
Erik Gustaf Bergvall was a Swedish water polo player who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Swedish team, which was able to win the bronze medal.On retirement he serves asa the president of FINA....
, the creator of the system, stated that it was used incorrectly and that a tournament of all of the losing teams from the first round should have been played for the silver medal. Because of these criticisms, the Bergvall System was not used again for ice hockey.
1924–1952
In 1924Ice hockey at the 1924 Winter Olympics
At the 1924 Winter Olympics, an ice hockey tournament was contested. The competition was held from Monday, January 28, 1924 to Sunday, February 3, 1924. Canada defended their championship from the 1920 Summer Olympics...
, the tournament was played in a round-robin format
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
, consisting of a preliminary round and a medal round. The medals were awarded based on win–loss records during the medal round. This format was used until 1988
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 -...
, although the number of teams and games played varied slightly. The Toronto Granites
Toronto Granites
The Toronto Granites were an amateur senior ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario. The Granites were Allan Cup champions in 1922 and 1923. They were chosen to represent Canada at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France...
, representing Canada, became one of the dominant hockey teams in Olympic history, outscoring opponents 110–3, led by Harry Watson, who scored 36 goals. The United States
United States at the 1924 Winter Olympics
The United States competed at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France.- Medalists :- Cross-country skiing:Men- Figure skating:MenWomenPairs- Ice hockey:-Group B:The top two teams advanced to the medal round....
won silver and Great Britain
Great Britain at the 1924 Winter Olympics
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland competed as Great Britain at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France. Based on medal count, this was Great Britain's best ever performance at a Winter Olympic Games.-Medalists:- Bobsleigh:...
won bronze. Watson's 36 goals remains the tournament record for career goals. He also set the record for career points with 36 (assists were not counted at the time), which stood until 2010.
1928 Winter Olympics
The 1928 Winter Olympics, officially known as the II Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 11–19, 1928 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The 1928 Games were the first true Winter Olympics held on its own as they were not in conjunction with a Summer Olympics...
in St. Moritz
St. Moritz
St. Moritz is a resort town in the Engadine valley in Switzerland. It is a municipality in the district of Maloja in the Swiss canton of Graubünden...
, Switzerland. The Canadian team
Canada at the 1928 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.-Medalists:- Cross-country skiing:Men- Figure skating:MenWomenPairs- Ice hockey:-Medal round:...
was given a bye
Bye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
to the medal round and won all of its games by a combined score of 38–0. The Swedish
Sweden at the 1928 Winter Olympics
Athletes from Sweden competed in the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland.-Medalists:- Cross-country skiing:Men- Figure skating:Men- Ice hockey:-Group B:The top team advanced to the medal round....
and Swiss
Switzerland at the 1928 Winter Olympics
Switzerland was the host nation for the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz.-Medalists:- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:Men- Figure skating:WomenPairs- Ice hockey:-Group C:...
teams won their first medals—silver and bronze respectively—and a German
Germany at the 1928 Winter Olympics
Germany competed at the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Germany had not been invited to the inaugural 1924 Games.-Medalists:- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:Men- Figure skating:MenWomenPairs- Ice hockey:...
team participated for the first time, finishing ninth. At the 1932 Winter Olympics
1932 Winter Olympics
The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
, Canada
Winnipeg Hockey Club
The Winnipeg Hockey Club were a former amateur senior-level men's amateur ice hockey team in Winnipeg, Manitoba founded in 1890. They represented Canada at the 1932 Winter Olympics held at Lake Placid, New York. The team was undefeated throughout the Olympic tournament and were named the 1932...
won gold in a tournament that consisted of four teams that played each other twice. Germany
Germany at the 1932 Winter Olympics
Germany competed at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, United States.-Medalists:- Bobsleigh:- Figure skating:Men- Ice hockey:-References:*...
won bronze, the nation's first medal in the sport.
Two days before the 1936 Winter Olympics
1936 Winter Olympics
The 1936 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1936 in the market town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria, Germany. Germany also hosted the Summer Olympics the same year in Berlin...
in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a mountain resort town in Bavaria, southern Germany. It is the administrative centre of the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Oberbayern region, and the district is on the border with Austria...
, Germany, Canadian officials protested that two players on the British team
Great Britain at the 1936 Winter Olympics
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland competed as Great Britain at the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.-Medallists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:Men...
—James Foster and Alex Archer
Alex Archer
Alexander "Sandy" Archer was an ice hockey right winger who played in the English National League for the Wembley Lions...
—had played in Canada but transferred without permission to play for clubs in the English National League
English National League
For the current league see English National Ice Hockey LeagueThe English National League was an early ice hockey league in England. It was founded in 1935 by most of the teams who had previously competed in the English League. It was suspended during the Second World War, but returned in 1946...
. The IIHF agreed with Canada, but Great Britain threatened to withdraw the team if the two were barred from competing. To avoid a conflict, Canada withdrew the protest shortly before the Games began. The tournament consisted of four groups and fifteen teams. Great Britain became the first non-Canadian team to win gold; Canada won silver and the United States
United States at the 1936 Winter Olympics
The United States competed at the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.- Medalists :- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:MenMen's 4 x 10 km relay- Figure skating:MenWomen...
bronze. World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
forced the cancellation of the 1940
1940 Winter Olympics
The anticipated 1940 Winter Olympics, which would have been officially known as the V Olympic Winter Games, were to be celebrated in 1940 in Sapporo, Japan.The games were cancelled due to the onset of World War II...
and 1944 Winter Olympics
1944 Winter Olympics
The anticipated 1944 Winter Olympics, which would have been officially known as the V Olympic Winter Games , were to be celebrated in February 1944 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
.
During the run-up to the 1948 Winter Olympics
1948 Winter Olympics
The 1948 Winter Olympics, officially known as the V Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated in 1948 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The Games were the first to be celebrated after World War II; it had been twelve years since the last Winter Games in 1936...
in St. Moritz, Switzerland, a conflict broke out between two American ice hockey bodies, the American Hockey Association (AHA) and the Amateur Athletic Union
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
(AAU). The AAU, which had run amateur hockey in the United States since 1930, was expelled by the IIHF in 1947 when it refused to support a team composed of players from the AHA. The AAU stated that the AHA players were "openly paid salaries"; at the time, the Olympics were strictly for amateur players. The Swiss Olympic Organizing Committee (SOOC) had accepted the AHA's application, but Avery Brundage
Avery Brundage
Avery Brundage was an American amateur athlete, sports official, art collector, and philanthropist. Brundage competed in the 1912 Olympics and was the US national all-around athlete in 1914, 1916 and 1918...
of the United States Olympic Committee
United States Olympic Committee
The United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit organization that serves as the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States and coordinates the relationship between the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency and various...
(USOC) threatened to withdraw the entire American team if the AHA participated in the Olympics. The IIHF countered by threatening to withdraw hockey from the Games if the AHA were banned. The IOC suggested that both American teams be banned but the SOOC rejected this proposal. The IOC decided to switch hockey to an unofficial event but relented when a compromise was reached. The AHA team was allowed to compete but would not be considered an official participant or allowed to win a medal. The AHA team finished fourth in the standings. Both Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1948 Winter Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The country's only medal was a silver in ice hockey.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combined...
and Canada
Canada at the 1948 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combined...
won seven games and tied when they played each other. The gold medal winner was determined by goal difference
Goal difference
In sports such as ice hockey and association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
: Canada won the gold because it had an average of 13.8 goals per game compared to Czechoslovakia's average of 4.3. Czechoslovakia's team was quickly improving; it won the 1947
1947 World Ice Hockey Championships
The 14th Ice Hockey World Championship and 25th European Championship was the first after the Second World War. It was held from 15 to 23 February 1947 in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Eight teams participated, but the competition was notably missing the reigning world champion, Canada. The world...
and 1949 World Championships
1949 World Ice Hockey Championships
The 16th Ice Hockey World Championships and 27th European Hockey Championships was held from February 12 to 20, 1949, in Stockholm, Sweden. In the initial round, the ten teams participating were divided into three groups: two groups of three and one of four...
.
At the 1952 Winter Olympics
1952 Winter Olympics
The 1952 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VI Olympic Winter Games, took place in Oslo, Norway, from 14 to 25 February 1952. Discussions about Oslo hosting the Winter Olympic Games began as early as 1935; the city wanted to host the 1948 Games, but World War II made that impossible...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway, the gold medal was won by Canada's team
Edmonton Mercurys
The Edmonton Mercurys were an intermediate senior-A ice hockey team that played in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1940s and 50s. Known as the Forgotten Team, the Mercurys won the 1950 World Ice Hockey Championships in London, England, and the gold medal at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway —...
for the second consecutive Games. It would be the last time that a Canadian team would win a gold medal in hockey for 50 years. The United States
United States at the 1952 Winter Olympics
The United States competed at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway.- Medalists :- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:MenMen's 4 x 10 km relay- Figure skating:MenWomenPairs...
won silver and Sweden
Sweden at the 1952 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:MenMen's 4 x 10 km relayWomen- Figure skating:Pairs- Ice hockey:The tournament was run in a round robin format with nine teams participating....
won bronze. A team from Finland competed for the first time.
1956–1976
1954 World Ice Hockey Championships
The 21st Ice Hockey World Championships and 32nd European ice hockey championships were held from 26 February to 7 March 1954 in Stockholm, Sweden.-Final round:-Standings:-Team members:*Nikolai Puchkov*Grigori Mkrtychan...
, defeating Canada and winning the gold medal. At the 1956 Winter Olympics
1956 Winter Olympics
The 1956 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This celebration of the Games was held from 26 January to 5 February 1956. Cortina, which had originally been awarded the 1944 Winter Olympics, beat out...
in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a town and comune in the southern Alps located in Veneto, a region in Northern Italy. Located in the heart of the Dolomites in an alpine valley, it is a popular winter sport resort known for its ski-ranges, scenery, accommodations, shops and après-ski scene...
, Italy, the Soviet team
Soviet Union at the 1956 Winter Olympics
The Soviet Union competed in the Winter Olympic Games for the first time at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing :MenWomen- Cross-country skiing :MenWomen- Ice hockey :Men...
went undefeated and won its first gold medal. Canada's team lost to the Soviets and the United States
United States at the 1956 Winter Olympics
The United States competed at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.- Medalists :American figure skaters swept the men's singles competition, taking all three medals.- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Bobsleigh:...
in the medal round, winning the bronze. The 1960 Winter Olympics
1960 Winter Olympics
The 1960 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VIII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event held between February 18 and 28, 1960 in Squaw Valley, California, United States. In 1955 at the 50th IOC meeting, the organizing committee made the surprise choice to award Squaw Valley as...
, in Squaw Valley
Squaw Valley Ski Resort
Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Olympic Valley, California, is one of the largest ski areas in the United States, and was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. It is the second-largest ski area at Lake Tahoe , with 33 chairlifts, and has the only funitel lift in the U.S...
, United States, saw the first, and to date only, team from Australia compete in the tournament. Canada
Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, United States. Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Cross-country skiing:Men- Figure skating:MenWomenPairs...
, the Soviet Union
Soviet Union at the 1960 Winter Olympics
The Soviet Union competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, United States.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing :Women- Biathlon :Men- Cross-country skiing :MenWomen- Figure skating :- Ice hockey :Men...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1960 Winter Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, United States.-Medalists:- Cross-country skiing:Men- Figure skating:MenWomen- Ice hockey:- Group C :...
and Sweden
Sweden at the 1960 Winter Olympics
Sweden competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, United States.-Medalists:- Biathlon:Men1Two minutes added per missed target.- Cross-country skiing:MenMen's 4 x 10 km relayWomenWomen's 3 x 5 km relay...
were the top four teams heading into the Games, but were all defeated by the American team
United States at the 1960 Winter Olympics
The United States was the host nation for the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California.- Medalists :- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:Men1Two minutes added per missed target.- Cross-country skiing :...
, which won all seven games en route to its first Olympic gold medal. Canada won the silver medal and the Soviet Union won the bronze.
At the 1964 Winter Olympics
1964 Winter Olympics
The 1964 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Innsbruck, Austria, from January 29 to February 9, 1964...
in Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
, Austria, the Soviet team
Soviet Union at the 1964 Winter Olympics
The Soviet Union competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's slalomWomen- Biathlon:Men1Two minutes added per miss.- Cross-country skiing:MenMen's 4 x 10km relay...
won all seven of its games, earning the gold medal. Canada
Canada at the 1964 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's slalomWomen- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:Men...
finished the tournament with five wins and two losses, putting the team in a three-way tie for second place with Sweden
Sweden at the 1964 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's slalom- Biathlon:Men1Two minutes added per miss.- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:MenMen's 4 x 10 km relayWomenWomen's 3 x 5 km relay- Figure skating:Women- Ice hockey:...
and Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1964 Winter Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's slalom- Cross-country skiing:MenWomenWomen's 3 x 5 km relay- Figure skating:MenWomenPairs...
. Before 1964, the tie-breaking procedure was based on goal difference in games against teams in the medal round; under that system, Canada would have placed third ahead of the Czechoslovakian team. During the tournament the procedure was changed to take all games into consideration, which meant that the Canadians finished fourth. At the time, the Olympics counted as the World Championships; under their (unchanged) rules, Canada should have received bronze for the World Championships.
Soviet domination continued at the 1968 Winter Olympics
1968 Winter Olympics
The 1968 Winter Olympics, officially known as the X Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1968 in Grenoble, France and opened on 6 February. Thirty-seven countries participated...
held in Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
, France, as the team won its third gold medal. Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1968 Winter Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's slalomWomen- Biathlon:Men1One minute added per close miss , two minutes added per complete miss....
and Canada won the silver and bronze medals. It was the last time that the Olympics were counted as the World Championships. In 1970, Canada withdrew from international ice hockey competition following a dispute over the use of professional players, and the team did not participate in the 1972
1972 Winter Olympics
The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
or 1976 Winter Olympics
1976 Winter Olympics
The 1976 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 4–15, 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria...
. Led by goaltender Vladislav Tretiak
Vladislav 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...
and forwards Valeri Kharlamov, Alexander Yakushev
Alexander Yakushev
Alexander Sergeyevich Yakushev was an ice hockey player for the Soviet Union.Born in Moscow, Soviet Union, Alexander Yakushev is best known to North American hockey fans as one of the stars for the Soviet team that played Team Canada in the famous 1972 Summit Series...
, Vladimir Petrov
Vladimir Vladimirovich Petrov
Vladimir Vladimirovich Petrov is a Soviet ice hockey player, two times Olympic Champion , who is currently retired....
and Boris Mikhailov
Boris Mikhailov (ice hockey)
Boris Petrovich Mikhailov is a former Soviet ice hockey player. He played for Kristall Saratov from 1962–65, Lokomotiv Moscow from 1965–67, and CSKA Moscow from 1967-1981...
, the Soviet team won gold at both the 1972 Games in Sapporo, Japan and 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. In 1971, the United States finished last at the World Championships and was relegated to Pool B. The team qualified for the 1972 Olympics and won silver, making it the first Pool B team to win an Olympic medal. Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1972 Winter Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.Ondrej Nepela won figure skating golden medal.-Medalists:- Biathlon:Men1One minute added per close miss , two minutes added per complete miss....
won the bronze medal in 1972. In 1976, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1976 Winter Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.- Medalists :- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:Men1One minute added per close miss , two minutes added per complete miss....
won the silver and West Germany
West Germany at the 1976 Winter Olympics
West Germany competed at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:Men...
won bronze. Along with Canada, the Swedish, East German and Norwegian teams did not participate in the 1976 tournament in protest of their inability to use professional players.
1980: The "Miracle on Ice"
The Winter Olympics returned to Lake Placid, New York in 19801980 Winter Olympics
The 1980 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIII Olympic Winter Games, was a multi-sport event which was celebrated from 13 February through 24 February 1980 in Lake Placid, New York, United States of America. This was the second time the Upstate New York village hosted the Games, after 1932...
. Twelve teams participated in the tournament
Ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics was held at the Olympic Arena and the Olympic Fieldhouse in Lake Placid, New York. Twelve teams competed in the tournament, which was held from February 12 to February 24...
, including Canada
Canada at the 1980 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, United States. Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:WomenWomen's 4 x 5 km relay...
for the first time since 1968. The Soviet Union
Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics
The Soviet Union competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, United States.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
entered the tournament as heavy favourites and were considered natural rivals with the American team due to the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. The Americans, coached by Herb Brooks
Herb Brooks
Herbert Paul Brooks, Jr. was an American ice hockey player and coach. He notably coached the United States' men's hockey team to a 4-3 upset of the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York on February 22, 1980...
and consisting mainly of college students, tied Sweden
Sweden at the 1980 Winter Olympics
Sweden competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, United States.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
and scored an upset win over Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1980 Winter Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, United States.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
in the preliminary round. They finished with four wins and a tie and advanced to the medal round, which also consisted of Sweden, Finland
Finland at the 1980 Winter Olympics
Finland competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, United States.-Medalists:- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
and the Soviet Union.
The tournament became most famous for the "Miracle on Ice", the February 22 medal-round game between the Soviet Union and the United States that took place at the Olympic Center
Herb Brooks Arena
The Herb Brooks Arena, known as the Olympic Center until 2005, is a 7,700-seat multi-purpose arena in Lake Placid, New York. This arena was built for the 1932 Winter Olympics, the first indoor arena used for the Winter Olympics. For the 1932 Games, it hosted the figure skating and six of the twelve...
(now known as the Herb Brooks Arena). The Soviets scored first, then took a 2–1 lead, but the Americans tied the game with one second left in the first period. In the second period, Soviet goaltender Vladislav Tretiak
Vladislav 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...
was replaced by Vladimir Myshkin
Vladimir Myshkin
Vladimir Semenovich Myshkin is a former ice hockey goaltender. He was a goaltender for HC Dynamo Moscow and the Soviet Union national ice hockey team in the 1970s and 1980s....
. The Soviets regained the lead early in the second period but the Americans kept the game close thanks to the goaltending of Jim Craig. In the final period, the Americans tied the game and captain Mike Eruzione scored with exactly 10 minutes to play in the contest to give the Americans a 4–3 lead. Craig withstood another series of Soviet shots to finish the match with the win. In the final seconds of the game, American Broadcasting Company
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
sportscaster Al Michaels
Al Michaels
Alan Richard "Al" Michaels is an American television sportscaster. Now employed by NBC Sports after nearly three decades with ABC Sports, Michaels is one of the most prominent members of his profession...
delivered his famous line: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!"
A common misconception is that the Americans won gold the night they beat the Soviets. However, the medals were awarded based on points accumulated against teams that made the medal round. The Americans did not win the gold until February 24, when they defeated Finland 4–2 and finished the tournament undefeated. The Soviets defeated Sweden and won the silver; Sweden won the bronze. In 2008, the IIHF picked the Miracle on Ice as the top international hockey story of the past 100 years.
1984–1994
At the 1984 Winter Olympics1984 Winter Olympics
The 1984 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIV Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from 8–19 February 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Other candidate cities were Sapporo, Japan; and Gothenburg, Sweden...
in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, the Soviet Union
Soviet Union at the 1984 Winter Olympics
The Soviet Union competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
won its sixth gold medal. Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1984 Winter Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.- Medalists :- Alpine skiing:Women- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
and Sweden
Sweden at the 1984 Winter Olympics
Sweden competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:Men- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
won the silver and bronze medals. The 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
were held in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada, where the Soviet team
Soviet Union at the 1988 Winter Olympics
The Soviet Union competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. It would be the last Winter Olympic Games before the dissolution of the USSR in 1991...
captured its seventh and final gold medal. The Soviets' last Olympic game was a loss to Finland
Finland at the 1988 Winter Olympics
- Medalists :- Alpine skiing:Women- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
. The Finnish team was not considered a serious medal contender—it had competed in the World Championships since 1939 and had not won a single medal. However, Finland upset the Soviets 2–1 and won silver. The IIHF decided to change the tournament format because in several cases, the gold medal winner had been decided before the final day of play. During a congress in 1990, the IIHF introduced a playoff system. The new system was used at the 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
in Albertville
Albertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
, France. Preliminary round-robin games were held and followed by an eight-team cup-system style medal round that culminated in a gold medal game.
Iron Curtain
The concept of the Iron Curtain symbolized the ideological fighting and physical boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1989...
were not allowed to leave and play in the NHL. Soviet officials agreed to allow players to leave following the 1989 World Championships
1989 World Ice Hockey Championships
-Final Round:-Consolation Round:Poland was relegated to Group B.-World Championship Group B :Played in Oslo and Lillehammer March 30th to April 9th. The April 5th game between Norway and Austria was officially adjusted to 8-0 for Norway because of Siegfried Haberl's positive drug test...
. Many of the Soviet Union's top players left to play in the NHL, including the entire "Green Unit
Russian Five
The Russian Five is the name of two separate but related units of five Russian ice hockey players.-CSKA Moscow and Soviet National Team:The first, also known as the Green Unit was a unit of players for both the CSKA Moscow and the Soviet national hockey teams during the 1980s...
"—Igor Larionov
Igor Larionov
Igor Nikolayevich Larionov is a Russian retired professional ice hockey player, known as The Professor. Along with Viacheslav Fetisov, he was instrumental in breaking the barrier that stopped Soviet players from joining the National Hockey League . He primarily played the centre position, and is...
, Viacheslav Fetisov
Viacheslav Fetisov
Viacheslav "Slava" Alexandrovich Fetisov is a retired professional ice hockey defenseman...
, Vladimir Krutov
Vladimir Krutov
Vladimir Yevgenyevich Krutov born June 1, 1960) is a former Soviet hockey forward. Together with Igor Larionov and Sergei Makarov, he was part of the famed KLM Line...
, Sergei Makarov
Sergei Makarov
Sergei Mikhailovich Makarov is a Russian former ice hockey right wing and two-time Olympic gold medalist, regarded as one of the greatest players to play the sport...
and Alexei Kasatonov
Alexei Kasatonov
Alexei Viktorovich Kasatonov is a retired ice hockey defenceman, a long-time member of the Soviet Union national team.On the international stage, Kasatonov won two golds and one silver in the Olympics, and five golds in the World Championships...
. The Soviet Union dissolved in December 1991. Nine former Soviet states became part of the IIHF and started competing internationally, including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Ukraine. At the 1992 Olympics, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan competed as one entity, known as the Unified Team
Unified Team at the 1992 Winter Olympics
The Unified Team at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville was a joint team consisting of six of the fifteen former Soviet republics: Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Armenia. The Unified Team's only other appearance was at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona...
. In the final, the Unified Team defeated Canada
Canada at the 1992 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combinedWomenWomen's combined- Biathlon:Men...
to win gold while Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia at the 1992 Winter Olympics
Czechoslovakia competed at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.The team consisted of 74 athletes, which was the largest number at that time...
won the bronze.
Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in January 1993. The IIHF recognized the Czech Republic as the successor to Czechoslovakia, allowing the team to retain its position in the top World Championship division, while Slovakia started in the lowest division (Pool C) in 1994 and was forced to work its way up. Both nations competed in the tournament at the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
, as did Russia
Russia at the 1994 Winter Olympics
Russia competed at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. It was the first time the nation had competed at the Winter Olympic Games since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991...
. Slovakia
Slovakia at the 1994 Winter Olympics
Slovakia competed at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.It was the first Winter Games since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, and so the Czech Republic and Slovakia competed as independent teams.- Alpine skiing:Women...
and Finland
Finland at the 1994 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing :Men-Biathlon:MenWomen-Cross country skiing:MenWomen-Figure skating:WomenIce Dancing-Freestyle skiing:MenWomen-Men's Team Competition:*Team Roster*Jarmo Myllys*Pasi Kuivalainen*Jukka Tammi...
both finished the preliminary round undefeated. Slovakia lost their medal round quarter-final game to Russia, who later lost to Finland in the bronze medal game. In the gold medal game between Sweden
Sweden at the 1994 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combinedWomenWomen's combined- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relayWomenWomen's 4 x 7.5 km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target....
and Canada
Canada at the 1994 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.-Medalists:-Alpine skiing:*Rob Crossan** Men's Giant Slalom: 2:56.10 - 20th place** Men's Slalom: Did not finish 2nd run...
, both teams finished regulation and overtime
Overtime (ice hockey)
Overtime is a method of determining the winner and loser of an ice hockey match when the scores are tied after regulation. The two main methods are the overtime period and the shootout.-Overtime periods:...
play with a 2–2 tie. In the resulting shootout, the first in Olympic competition, both nations scored two goals, which resulted in a sudden death shootout. Peter Forsberg
Peter Forsberg
Peter Mattias "Foppa" Forsberg is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player and currently an assistant general manager of Modo Sports. Known for his on-ice vision and physical play, Forsberg is considered one of the most complete players of his generation...
of Sweden scored one of the most famous goals in Olympic history by faking a forehand shot, then sliding a one-handed backhand shot past goaltender Corey Hirsch
Corey Hirsch
Corey Hirsch is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He spent the majority of his National Hockey League career with the Vancouver Canucks. He is currently the goaltending coach for the St...
. Canada's final shooter did not score and Sweden won the game and its first gold medal.
1998–2010
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
was adjusted to accommodate the NHL's schedule. On February 7, a preliminary round without NHL players or the "Big Six" teams (Canada
Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.Canada's biggest story at these games was the failure of the men's ice hockey team to win gold. For the first time, Canada's best players were able to compete at the Olympics, so...
, the Czech Republic
Czech Republic at the 1998 Winter Olympics
The Czech Republic competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.The medal hopes were set on ice hockey team and Kateřina Neumannová in cross-country skiing. The ice hockey team won their first gold medal in history. Kateřina Neumannová was also successful, winning one silver and one bronze...
, Finland
Finland at the 1998 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combinedWomen- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relayWomen1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target. 2One minute added per missed target.- Cross-country skiing:Men...
, Russia
Russia at the 1998 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing :MenWomen- Biathlon :MenWomen- Bobsleigh :- Cross-country skiing :MenWomen- Figure skating :- Freestyle skiing :MenWomen- Ice hockey :Men*Head coach: Vladimir Yurzinov...
, Sweden
Sweden at the 1998 Winter Olympics
Sweden competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combinedWomenWomen's combined- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relayWomenWomen's 4 x 7.5 km relay...
and the United States
United States at the 1998 Winter Olympics
The United States competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.- Medalists :- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combinedWomenWomen's combined- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relayWomen...
) began. The NHL had games on that day, but then halted play for the next 17 days to allow participating players to fly to Japan and recover from fatigue. The tournament format drew criticism for not allowing all teams the full use of their NHL players during the entire event. The top six teams were given a bye
Bye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
to the final round and began play on February 13. Canada, considered a pre-tournament favourite, was upset in the semi-final round by the Czech Republic and then lost the bronze medal game to Finland. Led by goaltender Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...
, the Czech team defeated Russia, who defeated them previously in the round robin, winning its first gold medal in the sport. During the tournament, 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...
set an Olympic Record for Goals in a Game with 5 against Finland in the Semifinals. Swedish player Ulf Samuelsson
Ulf Samuelsson
Ulf Samuelsson is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player and currently the head coach of Modo Hockey of the Elitserien . He played for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers.- Biography :He specialized in heavy body checks...
was discovered to have applied for American citizenship. Under Swedish law, when one acquires a foreign passport, their citizenship is annulled. Samuelsson was ejected after having played the first game against Belarus, although Sweden kept their points from the win. The Czech National Olympic Committee felt that Sweden should lose the points and filed a protest with the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Court of Arbitration for Sport
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is an international arbitration body set up to settle disputes related to sport. Its headquarters are in Lausanne and its courts are located in New York, Sydney and Lausanne, Switzerland...
, which was rejected. Following the tournament, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman
Gary Bettman
Gary Bruce Bettman is the commissioner of the National Hockey League , a post he has held since February 1, 1993. Previously, Bettman was a senior vice-president and general counsel to the National Basketball Association...
commented that it "was what we had predicted and hoped for from a pure hockey perspective, [it was] a wonderful tournament".
The same tournament format was used at the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
in Salt Lake City, United States. The NHL's Olympic break did not start until the second week of the Games. Because the Olympics were in the United States, where the majority of NHL teams are located, teams participating in the preliminary tournament were allowed to use NHL players who were not obligated to play with their NHL club. Slovakia
Slovakia at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Slovakia competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States.- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combinedWomen- Biathlon:MenWomenWomen's 4 x 7.5 km relay...
was particularly affected by the inability to use all of its NHL players, and the team failed to advance to the final round. Three months later, Slovakia won gold at the 2002 World Championships
2002 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
The 2002 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held between April 26 and May 11, 2002 in Gothenburg, Karlstad and Jönköping, Sweden.It was the 66th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation .- Championship :...
. Finnish centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
Raimo Helminen
Raimo Helminen
Raimo Ilmari Helminen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. He is often called "Raipe" or "Maestro" by his fans...
became the first ice hockey player to compete in six tournaments. In the quarter-finals, Belarus
Belarus at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Belarus competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States.-Medalists:- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relayWomenWomen's 4 x 7.5 km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target....
defeated Sweden
Sweden at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Sweden competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomenWomen's combined- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relayWomen...
in one of the biggest upsets since the Miracle on Ice. The team advanced to the bronze medal game, but lost to Russia
Russia at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Russia competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. With a total of 13 medals, this was the worst showing by the country in the Winter Games. The Russian public believed that the judging was biased against Russian athletes...
. The Canadian team
Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. Canada has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.These games were the second best ever for Canada, as they finished in fourth place in the medal standings with 17 medals, seven of which were gold.-Medalists:-4th...
rebounded from a disappointing first round and defeated the American team
United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics
The United States Olympic Committee sent 211 athletes to the 2006 Winter Olympics. Chris Witty, a four-time Olympian, who competed in both Summer and Winter games, and won a gold medal in speed skating at the 2002 Games, served as the flag bearer at the Opening Ceremonies...
in the gold medal game, winning their first Gold Medal in 50 years.
The tournament format was adjusted for 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...
. The NHL went on hiatus for the duration of the games, allowing all players to compete. The number of teams was lowered to 12; the top six teams did not get a bye and played five preliminary round games. Sweden
Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Sweden sent 112 athletes to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin trying to win their first gold medal since the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer. A total of 99 athletes were selected, and they competed in nine of the fifteen Winter Olympic sports...
won the gold medal over Finland
Finland at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Finland competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, with 102 athletes competing in 11 of the 15 sports.Janne Lahtela, a moguls freestyle skier, was the flag bearer at the Opening Ceremonies.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing :...
and the Czech Republic
Czech Republic at the 2006 Winter Olympics
The Czech Republic competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.Speed skater Martina Sáblíková served as flag bearer at the Opening Ceremonies. The medal hopes were set on ice hockey team, Jakub Janda in ski jumping, Kateřina Neumannová in cross-country skiing and on Sáblíková...
won the bronze medal. Three months later, Sweden won the 2006 World Championships
2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
The 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 70th such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 45 countries participated in four levels of competition. The competition also served as qualifications for the 2007 competition...
and became the first team to win the Olympic and World Championship gold in the same year.
The 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
were held in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Canada, the first time since NHL players were allowed to compete that the Olympics were held in a city with an NHL team. For the first time, Olympic games were played on a narrower NHL-sized ice rink, measuring 61 metres × 26 metres (200 ft × 85 ft), instead of the international size of 61 m × 30 m (200 ft × 98.5 ft). This change saved an expected $10 million (CAD) in construction costs and allowed more spectators to attend games. Games were played at the UBC Winter Sports Centre
UBC Winter Sports Centre
The Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre is a LEED Silver certified indoor arena in Canada, on the campus of the University of British Columbia. Located in the University Endowment Lands, it is just outside the city limits of Vancouver, British Columbia...
and General Motors Place
General Motors Place
Rogers Arena Rogers Arena Rogers Arena (nicknamed "The Phone Booth" and "The Cable Box" and also "The Garage" (when it was called GM Place) is an indoor sports arena located at 800 Griffiths Way in the downtown area of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
, which was renamed Canada Hockey Place during the event because corporate sponsorship is not allowed for an Olympic venue. Twelve teams qualified for the men's event and were split into three groups of four teams. At the NHL's request, the number of preliminary games was lowered to three. Following the completion of the preliminary round, all teams were ranked 1 through 12 based on points. The top four ranked teams received byes to the quarter-finals, and the other eight teams played for the remaining four positions. Following that, the final eight teams competed in a playoff.
Teemu Selänne
Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to...
of Finland
Finland at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Finland participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.- Medalists :- Alpine skiing :* Tanja Poutiainen* Sanni Leinonen* Andreas Romar* Marcus Sandell- Biathlon :* Timo Antila* Mari Laukkanen* Kaisa Mäkäräinen...
scored his 37th point, breaking the record of 36 first set by Canadian Harry Watson in 1924 and later tied by Vlastimil Bubník
Vlastimil Bubník
Vlastimil Bubník was a Czech ice hockey player and footballer.Bubník played in the Czechoslovak Extraliga. He played for HC Brno and Královo Pole. He also won a bronze medal at the 1964 Winter Olympics...
of Czechoslovakia, and Valeri Kharlamov of the Soviet Union. Slovakia
Slovakia at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Slovakia competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Slovak athletes earned their first gold medal ever in the Winter Olympics with Anastasiya Kuzmina's gold in the biathlon women's sprint event.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:...
made the final four for the first time, but lost the bronze medal game to Finland. In the gold medal game, Canada
Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Canada hosted and participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada previously hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Canada sent a team of 206 athletes , including participants in all 15 sports...
and the United States
United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics
The United States participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The U.S. team had a historic Winter Games, winning an unprecedented 37 medals. Team USA's medal haul, which included nine gold, marked the first time since the 1932 Lake Placid Games that the U.S....
ended regulation play with a 2–2 tie, making it only the second Olympic gold medal match to go into overtime. Canadian player Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
scored the winning goal seven minutes into overtime play to give Canada its eighth gold medal in men's hockey.
Addition to the programme
At the 99th IOC Session in July 1992, the IOC voted to approve women's hockey as an Olympic event beginning with the 1998 Winter Olympics1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
as part of their effort to increase the number of female athletes at the Olympics. Women's hockey had not been in the programme when Nagano, Japan had won the right to host the Olympics, and the decision required approval by the Nagano Winter Olympic Organizing Committee (NWOOC). The NWOOC was initially hesitant to include the event because of the additional costs of staging the tournament and because they felt their team, which had failed to qualify for that year's World Championships, could not be competitive. According to Glynis Peters, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was the national governing body of amateur ice hockey play in Canada from 1914 until 1994 when it merged with the Canadian Hockey Association or Hockey Canada....
's (CAHA) head of female hockey, "the Japanese would have to finance an entirely new sports operation to bring their team up to Olympic standards in six years, which they were also really reluctant to do." In November 1992, the NWOOC and IOC Coordination Committee reached an agreement to include a women's ice hockey tournament in the programme. Part of the agreement was that the tournament would be limited to six teams, and no additional facilities would be built. The CAHA also agreed to help build and train the Japanese team so that it could be more competitive. The IOC had agreed that if the NWOOC had not approved the event, it would be held at the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
. The format of the first tournament was similar to the men's: preliminary round-robin games followed by a medal round playoff.
1998–2010
Before 1998, women's hockey had been dominated by Canada. Canadian teams had won every World Championship up to that point; however, by 1997, the American team had improved and was evenly matched with Canada. In thirteen games played between the two teams in 1997, Canada won seven and the United States won six. The 1998 Olympic tournament also included teams from Finland, Sweden, China and host Japan. Canada and the United States dominated the round-robin portion. In their head-to-head match, the United States overcame a 4–1 deficit to win 7–4. The two teams met in the final, which the United States won 3–1 to become the third American ice hockey team to win Olympic gold.For the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
, the number of teams was increased to eight and Russia, Germany and Kazakhstan qualified for the first time. The Canadian and American teams went undefeated in the first round and semi-finals, setting up a gold medal rematch that the Canadian team won 3–2. Following the game, members of the Canadian team accused the Americans of stomping on a Canadian flag in their dressing room, although an investigation later proved the rumour false. The Swedish team won the bronze medal over Finland, the nation's first in women's ice hockey.
In 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...
, Italy and Switzerland participated for the first time. The Italian team
Italy at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Italy was the host nation for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. It was the second time that Italy had hosted the Winter Games and the third time overall . Italy's flag bearer for the opening ceremony was figure skater Carolina Kostner...
, at the time ranked 17th in the world, had qualified because Italy was the host nation. They were outscored 32–1 in three games and IIHF president René Fasel
René Fasel
René Fasel DMD is a Swiss dentist and ice hockey official. He started his ice hockey career as a player for HC Fribourg-Gottéron, in 1960, and became a referee in 1972 and president of Switzerland's ice hockey federation in 1985. In 1994 he was elected president of the International Ice Hockey...
declared his intention to make future tournaments more competitive and not allow host nations to automatically qualify. The Canadian team
Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Canada competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, with a team of 196 athletes and 220 support staff.As host of the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics, Canada was pressured to do well at the 2006 Games...
started the tournament by outscoring opponents 36–1 over three games. American defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
Angela Ruggiero
Angela Ruggiero
Angela Marie Ruggiero is an American ice hockey defenseman. She is a member of the United States women's national ice hockey team. She is also the author of a memoir about her hockey experiences and a former contestant on the NBC reality show The Apprentice...
accused the team of running up the score
Running up the score
In North American sports, "running up the score" occurs when a team continues to play in such a way as to score additional points after the outcome of the game is no longer in question and the team is assured of winning...
and warned that the event's Olympic status could be called into question due to a perceived lack of competitive teams. In response, René Fasel stated that other women's teams were improving and that there was similar dominance in the early years of the men's tournament but the sport continued to grow. He added, "I promise you that it won't take the [Swedish] women 64 years to win"—in reference to the Swedish men's team inability to defeat Canada in Olympic play until 1984 (the Swedish women's team defeated Canada for the first time at the 2008 4 Nations Cup
4 Nations Cup
The 4 Nations Cup is an annual women's ice hockey tournament, held between four major national teams in the sport; currently, these are Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland. Until 2000, when Sweden joined, the tournament was the 3 Nations Cup. In general, it is held in or around November...
).
In its semi-final game, the American team was upset by Sweden, marking the first time that it had lost to an opponent other than Canada. The upset drew comparisons to the Miracle on Ice from 1980. In the medal games, Canada defeated Sweden to claim its second consecutive gold medal, while the Americans beat Finland to win the bronze.
In 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...
, eight teams participated, including Slovakia
Slovakia women's national ice hockey team
The Slovak women's national ice hockey team represents Slovakia at the International Ice Hockey Federation's IIHF World Women's Championships. The women's national team is controlled by Slovak Ice Hockey Federation...
for the first time. The Canadian
Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Canada hosted and participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada previously hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Canada sent a team of 206 athletes , including participants in all 15 sports...
and American
United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics
The United States participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The U.S. team had a historic Winter Games, winning an unprecedented 37 medals. Team USA's medal haul, which included nine gold, marked the first time since the 1932 Lake Placid Games that the U.S....
teams outscored opponents in the preliminary round by 41–2 and 31–1 margins, respectively. This brought on more criticism about uneven competition. IOC president Jacques Rogge
Jacques Rogge
Jacques Rogge, Count Rogge , is a Belgian sports bureaucrat. He is the eighth and current President of the International Olympic Committee .-Life and career:...
said, "There is a discrepancy there, everyone agrees with that. This is maybe the investment period in women's ice hockey. I would personally give them more time to grow but there must be a period of improvement. We cannot continue without improvement." Swedish
Sweden at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Sweden participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 106 competitors competed in nine of the fifteen disciplines.-Medalists:The following Swedish athletes won medals at the games:- Alpine skiing:Men...
team coach Peter Elander said it is hard for other nations to compete because of a lack of funding and a smaller pool of players to choose from. He said, "The finances for all teams have to be the same. ... If you want to have a close tournament in Sochi (for the 2014 Olympics), have (comparable) national programs in all countries." Some critics suggested that a mercy rule
Mercy rule
A mercy rule, also well known by the slightly less polite term slaughter rule , brings a sports event to an early end when one team has a very large and presumably insurmountable lead over the other team...
be implemented to prevent such lopsided scores. René Fasel said the IIHF would consider adding one. A number of coaches, including Chinese
China at the 2010 Winter Olympics
China participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, sending its largest delegation at a Winter Olympics with 94 athletes...
team coach Hannu Saintula, whose team was defeated 12–1 by the Americans, stated that they were against the idea.
In the gold medal game, Canada defeated the United States 2–0 to win their third consecutive gold. The Finnish
Finland at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Finland participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.- Medalists :- Alpine skiing :* Tanja Poutiainen* Sanni Leinonen* Andreas Romar* Marcus Sandell- Biathlon :* Timo Antila* Mari Laukkanen* Kaisa Mäkäräinen...
team won the bronze medal, their first since 1998.
Qualification
Since 1976, 12 teams have participated in the men's tournament, except in 1998 and 2002, when the number was raised to 14. The number of teams has ranged from 4 (in 1932) to 16 (in 1964). After the NHL allowed its players to compete at the 1998 Winter Olympics, the "Big Six" teams (Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States) were given automatic qualification and byeBye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
s to the final round. The number of teams was increased to 14 so that a preliminary round-robin tournament consisting of eight teams could be held. The top two teams from the preliminary round (Belarus
Belarus at the 1998 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:Men- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relayWomenWomen's 4 x 7.5 km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target. 2One minute added per missed target.- Cross-country skiing:Men...
and Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan at the 1998 Winter Olympics
Kazakhstan competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relayWomenWomen's 4 x 7.5 km relay...
) joined the "Big Six" in the finals. A similar system was used in 2002. For the following tournament, the number of teams was lowered to 12 so that all teams played fewer games. Qualification for the men's tournament at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
was structured around the 2008 IIHF World Ranking. Twelve spots were made available for teams. The top nine teams in the World Ranking after the 2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
The 2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 72nd such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 48 countries will participate in four levels of competition. The competition will also serve as qualifications for the 2009 competition...
received automatic berths. Teams ranked 10th through 30th had an opportunity to qualify for the event. Teams ranked 19th through 30th played in a first qualification round in November 2008. The top three teams from the round advanced to the second qualification round, joined by teams ranked 10th through 18th. The top three teams from this round advanced to the Olympic tournament.
The women's tournament uses a similar qualification format. The top six teams in the IIHF Women's World Ranking after the 2008 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships
2008 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships
The 2008 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships were held from April 4 to April 13, 2008, in Harbin, People's Republic of China.It was the 11th event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation ....
received automatic berths. Teams ranked 13th and below were divided into two groups for a first qualification round in September 2008. The two group winners advanced to the second qualification round, where the teams ranked seventh through twelfth joined them.
Eligibility
The IIHF lists the following requirements for a player to be eligible to play in international tournaments:- "Each player must be under the jurisdiction of an IIHF member national association."
- "Each player must be a citizen of the country he represents."
If a player who has never played in an IIHF competition changes their citizenship, they must participate in national competitions in their new country for at least two consecutive years and have an international transfer card (ITC). If a player who has previously played in an IIHF tournament wishes to change their national team, they must have played in their new country for four years. A player can only do this once. The original IOC rules stated that an athlete that had already played for one nation could not later change nations under any circumstances.
Use of professional players
Pierre de Coubertin
Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin was a French educationalist and historian, founder of the International Olympic Committee, and is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games...
, founder of the IOC, was influenced by the ethos of the aristocracy as exemplified in the English public schools
Independent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
. The public schools subscribed to the belief that sport formed an important part of education and there was a prevailing concept of fairness in which practicing or training was considered cheating. As class structure evolved through the 20th century, the definition of the amateur athlete as an aristocratic gentleman became outdated. The advent of the state-sponsored "full-time amateur athlete" of the Eastern Bloc countries further eroded the ideology of the pure amateur, as it put the self-financed amateurs of the Western countries at a disadvantage. The Soviet Union entered teams of athletes who were all nominally students, soldiers, or working in a profession, but many of whom were in reality paid by the state to train on a full-time basis. Nevertheless, the IOC held to the traditional rules regarding amateurism.
Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was the national governing body of amateur ice hockey play in Canada from 1914 until 1994 when it merged with the Canadian Hockey Association or Hockey Canada....
(CAHA) felt their amateur players could no longer be competitive against the Soviet team's full-time athletes and the other constantly improving European teams. They pushed for the ability to use players from professional leagues but met opposition from the IIHF and IOC. Avery Brundage
Avery Brundage
Avery Brundage was an American amateur athlete, sports official, art collector, and philanthropist. Brundage competed in the 1912 Olympics and was the US national all-around athlete in 1914, 1916 and 1918...
, president of the IOC from 1952 to 1972, was opposed to the idea of amateur and professional players competing together. At the IIHF Congress in 1969, the IIHF decided to allow Canada to use nine non-NHL professional hockey players at the 1970 World Championships in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Canada. The decision was reversed in January 1970 after Brundage said that ice hockey's status as an Olympic sport would be in jeopardy if the change was made. In response, Canada withdrew from international ice hockey competition and officials stated that they would not return until "open competition" was instituted. Günther Sabetzki
Gunther Sabetzki
Günther Sabetzki was an executive for several ice hockey leagues and organizations....
became president of the IIHF in 1975 and helped to resolve the dispute with the CAHA. In 1976, the IIHF agreed to allow "open competition" between all players in the World Championships. However, NHL players were still not allowed to play in the Olympics, because of the unwillingness of the NHL to take a break mid-season and the IOC's amateur-only policy.
Before the 1984 Winter Olympics, a dispute formed over what made a player a professional. The IOC had adopted a rule that made any player who had signed an NHL contract but played less than ten games in the league eligible. However, the United States Olympic Committee maintained that any player contracted with an NHL team was a professional and therefore not eligible to play. The IOC held an emergency meeting that ruled NHL-contracted players were eligible, as long as they had not played in any NHL games. This made five players on Olympic rosters—one Austrian, two Italians and two Canadians—ineligible. Players who had played in other professional leagues—such as the 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...
—were allowed to play. Canadian hockey official Alan Eagleson
Alan Eagleson
Robert Alan Eagleson is a disbarred Canadian lawyer, convicted felon in two countries, former politician, hockey agent and promoter...
stated that the rule was only applied to the NHL and that professionally contracted players in European leagues were still considered amateurs. Murray Costello
Murray Costello
Murray Costello was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005 as a builder. He was president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association then Hockey Canada...
of the CAHA suggested that a Canadian withdrawal was possible. In 1986, the IOC voted to allow all athletes to compete in Olympic Games starting in 1988, but let the individual sport federations decide if they wanted to allow professionals.
NHL participation
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA) players participated in the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
. The American "Dream Team" dominated the tournament, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman
Gary Bettman
Gary Bruce Bettman is the commissioner of the National Hockey League , a post he has held since February 1, 1993. Previously, Bettman was a senior vice-president and general counsel to the National Basketball Association...
(an NBA executive in 1992) commented that the "[NBA]'s worldwide awareness grew dramatically". He hoped that NHL participation would "get exposure like the world has never seen for hockey". The typical NBA season is held in the winter and spring, so the Summer Olympics do not conflict with the regular season schedule. Bettman "floated a concept of moving hockey to the Summer Games", but this was rejected because of the Olympic Charter. In March 1995, Bettman, René Fasel, IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch
Juan Antonio Samaranch
Don Juan Antonio Samaranch y Torelló, 1st Marquis of Samaranch, Grandee of Spain , known in Catalan as Joan Antoni Samaranch i Torelló , was a Catalan Spanish sports administrator who served as the seventh President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001...
and NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow
Bob Goodenow
Robert W. "Bob" Goodenow is an American manager, who became the Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players Association in 1992, succeeding Alan Eagleson...
met in Geneva, Switzerland. They reached an agreement that allowed NHL players to participate in the Olympics, starting with the 1998 Games in Nagano
Nagano, Nagano
, the capital city of Nagano Prefecture, is located in the northern part of the prefecture near the confluence of the Chikuma and the Sai rivers, on the main Japanese island of Honshū.As of April 1, 2011 the city has a population of 387,146...
, Japan. The deal was officially announced by the NHL on October 2, 1995. Bettman said: "We're doing this to build the game of hockey, pure and simple, we think whatever benefits are recouped, it will end up making this game bigger, stronger and healthier."
Lockout (industry)
A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.- Causes :...
and eventually cancelled because of a labour dispute between the league and its players. In January 2005, Bettman commented that he was hesitant to allow league participation in the Olympics because he did not like the idea of stopping play mid-season after the cancellation of the previous season. The lockout was resolved in July 2005 and the newly negotiated NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement
NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement
The NHL collective bargaining agreement is the basic contract between the National Hockey League team owners and the NHL Players Association , designed to be arrived at through the typical labor-management negotiations of collective bargaining...
allowed league participation in the 2006
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
and 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
. Some NHL team owners were against their players participating in the tournament because of concerns about injury or exhaustion. Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
owner Ed Snider
Ed Snider
Edward M. Snider is the American Chairman of Comcast Spectacor, a Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment company that owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL, the Wells Fargo Center, the Spectrum, the regional sports network Comcast SportsNet and Global Spectrum, an international facilities...
commented that "I'm a believer in the Olympics and I think it's good for the NHL to participate, having said that, the people who participate should be the ones who are absolutely healthy." Some NHL players used the break as an opportunity to rest and did not participate in the tournament, and several players were injured during the Olympics and were forced to miss NHL games. Bettman said that several format changes were being discussed so that the tournament would be "a little easier for everybody".
, it has not yet been decided if the NHL will participate in the 2014 Winter Olympics
2014 Winter Olympics
The 2014 Winter Olympics, officially the XXII Olympic Winter Games, or the 22nd Winter Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event scheduled to be celebrated from 7 to 23 February 2014, in Sochi, Russia with some events held in the resort town of Krasnaya Polyana. Both the Olympic and...
in Russia. A deal will have to be negotiated between the NHL and NHLPA in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement
The NHL collective bargaining agreement is the basic contract between the National Hockey League team owners and the NHL Players Association , designed to be arrived at through the typical labor-management negotiations of collective bargaining...
. NHL management is hesitant to commit to the tournament; Bettman argues the Olympic break is a "strain on the players, on the schedule and on fans", adding that "the benefits we get tend to be greater when the Olympics are in North America than when they're in distant time zones." According to Bettman, most of the NHL team owners agree with his position, and feel that the league does not receive enough benefits to justify the schedule break and risk of player injuries. René Fasel wants NHL participation and vowed that he would "work day and night to have NHL players in Sochi". At an October 2008 press conference, then-NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (lawyer)
Paul V. Kelly is the executive director of College Hockey, Inc. and a former Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players' Association, serving in the latter role from October 24, 2007 to August 31, 2009.- Career :...
stated that the players want to return to the Olympics and will try to include the ability in the next agreement. Russian NHL players Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
and Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
have stated that they want to participate in the tournament and will do so without the permission of the NHL, if necessary. Paul Kelly also believes that the NHL's strained relationship with the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia
Ice Hockey Federation of Russia
The Ice Hockey Federation of Russia is the governing body overseeing ice hockey in Russia.- History :The federation was founded on November 12, 1991 as "Ice Hockey Federation of the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic / Ice Hockey Federation of Russia" established during the existence of...
and the Kontinental Hockey League
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL) could affect participation. In a 2009 interview, KHL president Alexander Medvedev
Alexander Medvedev
Alexander Ivanovich Medvedev is the current Deputy Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Russian energy company Gazprom, president of the Kontinental Hockey League, and the Director-General of Gazprom's export arm Gazprom Export...
claimed that the unwillingness of NHL officials to immediately commit to the Sochi Games was "an instrument of pressure" to force a transfer agreement between the two leagues.
Game rules
At the first tournament in 1920, there were many differences from the modern game: games were played outdoors on natural ice, forward passes were not allowed, the rink (which had been intended to be used only for figure skating) was 56 m × 18 m (165 ft × 58.5 ft) and two 20-minute periods were played. Each team had seven players on the ice, the extra position being the roverRover (ice hockey)
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ice hockey consisted of seven positions. Along with the goaltender, two defencemen, and three forwards who remain today, a Rover was also part of the team. Unlike all the others, the rover did not have a set position, and roamed the ice at will, going...
. Following the tournament, the IIHF held a congress and decided to adopt the Canadian rules—six men per side and three periods of play.
The tournaments follow the rules used by the IIHF. At the 1969 IIHF Congress, officials voted to allow body-checking
Checking (ice hockey)
Checking in ice hockey is any one of a number of defensive techniques. It is usually not a penalty.- Types :There are various types of checking:...
in all three zones in a rink similar to the NHL. Before that, body-checking was only allowed in the defending zone in international hockey. Several other rule changes were implemented in the early 1970s: players were required to wear helmet
Hockey helmet
A hockey helmet is worn by players of ice hockey and inline hockey to help protect the head from potential injury when hit by the puck, sticks, skates, boards, other players, or the ice.-Construction:...
s starting in 1970, and goaltender masks became mandatory in 1972. In 1992, the IIHF switched to using a playoff system to determine medalists and decided that tie games in the medal round would be decided in a shootout
Penalty shootout
The shootout is a method of determining a winner in sports matches that would have otherwise been drawn or tied. The rules for penalty shootouts vary between sports and even different competitions; however, the usual form is similar to penalty shots in that a single player takes one shot on goal...
. In 1998, the IIHF passed a rule that allowed two-line passes
Pass (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a pass is the movement of the puck from one player to another, usually by a motion of the stick. A pass differs from a shot, in that a pass is typically weaker than a shot and is not directed at the opponent's net with the intention of scoring a goal...
. Before then, the neutral zone trap
Neutral zone trap
The neutral zone trap is a defensive strategy used in ice hockey to prevent an opposing team from proceeding through the neutral zone to force turnovers...
had slowed the game down and reduced scoring.
The current IIHF rules differ slightly from the rules used in the NHL
National Hockey League rules
While the rules of the National Hockey League follows the general rules of ice hockey, it differs slightly from those used in international games organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation such as the Olympics.-Hockey rink:...
. One difference between NHL and IIHF rules is standard rink dimensions: the NHL rink is narrower, measuring 61 m × 26 m (200 ft × 85 ft), instead of the international size of 61 m × 30 m (200 ft × 98.5 ft) The larger international size allows for a faster and less physical style of play. Another rule difference between the NHL and the IIHF rules concerns how icing
Icing (ice hockey)
Icing in ice hockey occurs when a player shoots the puck across at least two red lines, the opposing team's goal line being the last, and the puck remains untouched. It is, however, not icing if the puck is shot from behind the halfway line into the goal, or when the shot must be played by the...
is called. In the NHL, a linesman stops play due to icing if a defending player (other than the goaltender) touches the puck before an attacking player is able to, in contrast to the IIHF rules in which play is stopped the moment the puck crosses the goal line. The NHL and IIHF also differ in penalty rules. The NHL calls five-minute major penalties for more dangerous infractions of the rules, such as fighting, in addition to the minor and double minor penalties called in IIHF games. This is in contrast to the IIHF rule, by which players who fight are ejected from the game. Beginning with the 2005–06 season, the NHL instituted several new rules. Some were already used by the IIHF, such as the shootout and the two-line pass. Others were not picked up by the IIHF, such as those requiring smaller goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
equipment and the addition of the goaltender trapezoid to the rink. However, the IIHF did agree to follow the NHL's league's zero-tolerance policy on obstruction and required referees to call more hooking, holding, and interference penalties.
Each team is allowed to have between 15 and 20 skaters (forwards
Forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a forward is a player position on the ice whose primary responsibility is to score goals. Generally, the forwards try to stay in three different lanes, also known as thirds, of the ice going from goal to goal. It is not mandatory however, to stay in a lane. Staying in a lane aids in...
and defencemen) and two or three goaltenders, all of whom must be citizens of the nation they play for.
Banned substances
The IIHF follows the World Anti-Doping AgencyWorld Anti-Doping Agency
The World Anti-Doping Agency , , is an independent foundation created through a collective initiative led by the International Olympic Committee . It was set up on November 10, 1999 in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a result of what was called the "Declaration of Lausanne", to promote, coordinate and...
's (WADA) regulations on performance-enhancing drugs. The IIHF maintains a Registered Testing Pool, a list of top players who are subjected to random in-competition and out-of-competition drug tests. According to the WADA, a positive in-competition test results in disqualification of the player and a suspension that varies based on the number of offences. When a player tests positive, the rest of their team is subjected to testing; another positive test can result in a disqualification of the entire team. In 2001, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) pushed for American NHL players who were potential Olympians to be subject to random drug tests. The USOC requires all Olympic-bound athletes to be randomly tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency
United States Anti-Doping Agency
The United States Anti-Doping Agency , is a non-profit organization and the national anti-doping organization for the United States. The organization is charged with managing the anti-doping program for the U.S...
, but had exempted NHL players in 1998. The NHL preferred a more uniform method, in which all players would undergo the same number of tests from the WADA. An agreement was reached that the WADA would start testing players after the NHL playoffs were finished.
| Athlete | Nation | Olympics | Substance | Punishment | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alois Schloder Alois Schloder Alois Schloder is a retired ice hockey player. He participated at the 1976 Winter Olympics and won a bronze medal. He was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 2005.... |
1972 1972 Winter Olympics The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan... |
Ephedrine Ephedrine Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a stimulant, appetite suppressant, concentration aid, decongestant, and to treat hypotension associated with anaesthesia.... |
Six month suspension from IIHF | The first Winter Olympics athlete to test positive for a banned substance, Schloder was banned from the rest of the Games but his team was allowed to continue playing. | ||
| František Pospíšil Frantisek Pospisil František Pospíšil was a Czech ice hockey defenceman and coach.He played in the Czechoslovak Elite League for Poldi Kladno from 1961-1978, then in Germany for EV Landshut in 1978-79. He won the Golden Hockey Stick as the top player in Czechoslovakia in 1971 and 1972... |
|1976
1976 Winter Olympics
The 1976 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 4–15, 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria...
|Codeine
Codeine
Codeine or 3-methylmorphine is an opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive, and antidiarrheal properties...
|None
|Team doctor Otto Trefny, who prescribed Pospíšil the drug as treatment for the flu, received a lifetime ban. The team was forced to forfeit a game against Poland but went on to win the silver medal, which Pospíšil also received.
|align=center|
|-
|
|
|1988
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
|Testosterone
Testosterone
Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group and is found in mammals, reptiles, birds, and other vertebrates. In mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands...
|18 month suspension from IIHF
|The Polish team was allowed to continue playing without Morawiecki, but were stripped of two points they earned in a victory over France.
|align=center|
|-
|Mattias Öhlund
Mattias Öhlund
Mattias Öhlund is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Prior to joining the Lightning, he played eleven seasons with the Vancouver Canucks...
|
|2002
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
|Acetazolamide
Acetazolamide
Acetazolamide, sold under the trade name Diamox, is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that is used to treat glaucoma, epileptic seizures, Idiopathic intracranial hypertension , altitude sickness, cystinuria, and dural ectasia...
|None
|Öhlund had inadvertently ingested the substance in medication he was taking after undergoing eye surgery and was not suspended.
|align=center|
|-
|Vasily Pankov
|
|2002
|
|Retroactively disqualified
|Pankov was also forced to return his Olympic diploma. Evgeni Lositski, the team doctor, was banned from the following two Olympics.
|align=center|
|}
In late 2005, two NHL players who had been listed as potential Olympians failed drug tests administered by the WADA. American Bryan Berard
Bryan Berard
Bryan Wallace Berard is a former American professional ice hockey player. He was the first overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He is most noted for a debilitating eye injury he received early in his career...
, who had competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics, tested positive for 19-Norandrosterone
19-Norandrosterone
19-Norandrosterone is a nandrolone and 19-norandrostenedione metabolite. It is created as a byproduct of nandrolone via the 5-alpha reductase enzyme and is on the list of substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency since it is a detectable metabolite of nandrolone which is an anabolic...
. Canadian José Théodore
José Théodore
José Théodore is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
failed a drug test because he was taking Propecia
Finasteride
Finasteride is a synthetic antiandrogen that inhibits type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone...
, a hair loss medication that contains the non-performance enhancing drug Finasteride. Both players received two-year bans from international competition, although neither had made their team's final roster.
Participating nations
Key| # | The final rank of the team. |
| =# | Indicates that two or more teams shared the same final rank. |
| – | The team did not participate that year. |
| DQ | The team was disqualified during the tournament. |
| The nation did not exist with that designation at that time. | |
| References: | |
Men:
| Nation | 1920 Ice hockey at the 1920 Summer Olympics Ice hockey was introduced to the Olympic Games at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. The matches were played between April 23 and April 29, 1920. All matches took place in the Palais de Glace d'Anvers . The rink measured 56 to 18 meters . All games were played with seven players on each side,... |
24 Ice hockey at the 1924 Winter Olympics At the 1924 Winter Olympics, an ice hockey tournament was contested. The competition was held from Monday, January 28, 1924 to Sunday, February 3, 1924. Canada defended their championship from the 1920 Summer Olympics... |
28 Ice hockey at the 1928 Winter Olympics At the 1928 Winter Olympics, the ice hockey event was contested by 11 teams. The competition was held from Saturday, February 11, 1928 to Sunday, February 19, 1928.... |
32 Ice hockey at the 1932 Winter Olympics At the 1932 Winter Olympics, the ice hockey tournament was contested by only four teams. The competition was held from Thursday, February 4, 1932 to Saturday, February 13, 1932... |
36 Ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics At the 1936 Winter Olympics, Great Britain won the men's ice hockey competition. While only one player on the team was born in Canada, nine of the thirteen players on the roster grew up in Canada, and eleven had played previously in Canada.-Medalists:... |
48 Ice hockey at the 1948 Winter Olympics In Ice hockey at the 1948 Winter Olympics, Team Canada returned to its dominance, winning their fourth Gold Medal out of the first five Olympic Games.-Rival United States teams:... |
52 Ice hockey at the 1952 Winter Olympics The Ice hockey medalists at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. Games were mainly played at the Jordal Amfi Arena, as well as the stadiums at Dælenenga, Kadettangen, Marienlyst and Lillestrøm... |
56 Ice hockey at the 1956 Winter Olympics At the 1956 Winter Olympics held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. This tournament was also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship. For World Championships Pool B matches were also played between GDR, Norway and Belgium in Berlin... |
60 Ice hockey at the 1960 Winter Olympics At the 1960 Winter Olympics held in Squaw Valley, California, United States, one ice hockey event was held: men's Ice Hockey. This tournament was also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship. Games were held at Blyth Arena.Canada, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and... |
64 Ice hockey at the 1964 Winter Olympics At the 1964 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. This tournament was also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship. Games were held at the Olympiahalle Innsbruck.... |
68 Ice hockey at the 1968 Winter Olympics At the 1968 Winter Olympics held in Grenoble, France, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. This tournament also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship... |
72 Ice hockey at the 1972 Winter Olympics At the 1972 Winter Olympics held in Sapporo, Japan, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. Games were held at the Makomanai Ice Arena and at the Tsukisamu Indoor Skating Rink.-Team USA:... |
76 Ice hockey at the 1976 Winter Olympics At the 1976 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria, the USSR team won the Gold Medal in ice hockey. Star forward, Valeri Kharlamov scored the game-winning goal in the final game. Games were held at the Olympiahalle Innsbruck.-Highlights:... |
80 Ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics was held at the Olympic Arena and the Olympic Fieldhouse in Lake Placid, New York. Twelve teams competed in the tournament, which was held from February 12 to February 24... |
84 Ice hockey at the 1984 Winter Olympics At the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. Most of the games were held at the Olympic Hall Zetra and some of the games in Skenderija II olympic hall.-Medalists:Source:* Gold -... |
88 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 -... |
92 Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics was held at the Méribel Ice Palace in Méribel, a ski resort about 45 km from host city Albertville. The competition, held from 8 to 23 February, was won by the Unified Team.-Final rankings:# # # # # # #... |
94 Ice hockey at the 1994 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1994 Winter Olympics was held at the Fjellhallen in Gjøvik and the Håkons Hall in Lillehammer, Norway. The competition, held from February 12 to February 27, was won by Sweden and Canada as runner-up.-Final rankings:Source:* Gold -... |
98 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... |
02 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:... |
06 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... |
10 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... |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Australia |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
 Austria |
10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | |||||||||||||||
 Belarus |
|-
|align=left|
Belgium||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||4|-
|align=left|
Bulgaria||||||||||||||||||||||||||12||||||||||||||||||||1|-
|align=left|
Canada||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||||||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=gold|||||bgcolor=gold|||20|-
|align=left|
Czech Republic||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||bgcolor=gold|||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||5|-
|align=left|
Czechoslovakia||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||||||bgcolor=silver|||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||16|-
|align=left|
Finland||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=cc9966|||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=cc9966|||15|-
|align=left|
France||||||||||||||||||||||14||||||||||11||||10||11||14||||||10|-
|align=left|
Germany||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||10|||11||9|-
|align=left|
West Germany||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||10||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||10|-
|align=left|
German Democratic Republic||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||||||||||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||1|-
|align=left|
United Kingdom||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||bgcolor=gold|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||4|-
|align=left|
Hungary||||||11||||||||||||||16||||||||||||||||||||||||||3|-
|align=left|
Italy||||||||||||||||||||15||||||||||||||12||||12||||11||||9|-
|align=left|
Japan||||||||||||||||||||11||10||||||12||||||||||13||||||||8|-
|align=left|
Kazakhstan||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||||2|-
|align=left|
Latvia||||||||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||12||12||4|-
|align=left|
Netherlands||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||1|-
|align=left|
Norway||||||||||||||||||||10||11||||||11||12||12||||11||||||||10||10|-
|align=left|
Poland||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||10||11||||||||||||13|-
|align=left|
Romania||||||||||||||||||||12||12||||||||||||||||||||||||4|-
|align=left|
Russia||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||5|-
|align=left|
Slovakia||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||10||13||||||5|-
|align=left|
Soviet Union||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||||||||||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||9|-
|align=left|
Sweden||||||bgcolor=silver|||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||bgcolor=silver|||||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=cc9966|||bgcolor=cc9966|||||bgcolor=gold|||||||bgcolor=gold|||||20|-
|align=left|
Switzerland||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||bgcolor=cc9966|||||||||||||10||11||||||||10||||||11||||||15|-
|align=left|
Ukraine||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||||||10|| ||||1|-
|align=left|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=gold|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||1
|-
|align=left|
United States||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=cc9966|||||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=silver|||bgcolor=gold|||||||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=gold|||||||||||||bgcolor=silver|||||bgcolor=silver|||21|-
|align=left|
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia||||||||||||||||||||14||||11||10||||11||||||||||||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||bgcolor=F0F0F0|||5|- style="background:#ddd" class="unsortable"
|align=left|Total teams||7||8||11||4||15||9||9||10||9||16||14||11||12||12||12||12||12||12||14||14||12||12||247
|}
Women:
| Nation | 98 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... |
02 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:... |
06 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... |
10 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... |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada |
4 | ||||
 People's Republic of China |
7 | 3 | |||
| Finland |
4 | ||||
| Germany |
2 | ||||
| Italy |
1 | ||||
| Japan |
1 | ||||
| Kazakhstan |
1 | ||||
| Russia |
6 | 3 | |||
| Slovakia |
8 | 1 | |||
| Sweden |
4 | ||||
| Switzerland |
5 | 2 | |||
| United States |
4 | ||||
| Total teams | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 30 |
Medal winners
Men:| 1920 Antwerp Ice hockey at the 1920 Summer Olympics Ice hockey was introduced to the Olympic Games at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. The matches were played between April 23 and April 29, 1920. All matches took place in the Palais de Glace d'Anvers . The rink measured 56 to 18 meters . All games were played with seven players on each side,... |
|||
| 1924 Chamonix Ice hockey at the 1924 Winter Olympics At the 1924 Winter Olympics, an ice hockey tournament was contested. The competition was held from Monday, January 28, 1924 to Sunday, February 3, 1924. Canada defended their championship from the 1920 Summer Olympics... |
|||
| 1928 St. Moritz Ice hockey at the 1928 Winter Olympics At the 1928 Winter Olympics, the ice hockey event was contested by 11 teams. The competition was held from Saturday, February 11, 1928 to Sunday, February 19, 1928.... |
|||
| 1932 Lake Placid Ice hockey at the 1932 Winter Olympics At the 1932 Winter Olympics, the ice hockey tournament was contested by only four teams. The competition was held from Thursday, February 4, 1932 to Saturday, February 13, 1932... |
|||
| 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics At the 1936 Winter Olympics, Great Britain won the men's ice hockey competition. While only one player on the team was born in Canada, nine of the thirteen players on the roster grew up in Canada, and eleven had played previously in Canada.-Medalists:... |
|||
| 1948 St. Moritz Ice hockey at the 1948 Winter Olympics In Ice hockey at the 1948 Winter Olympics, Team Canada returned to its dominance, winning their fourth Gold Medal out of the first five Olympic Games.-Rival United States teams:... |
|||
| 1952 Oslo Ice hockey at the 1952 Winter Olympics The Ice hockey medalists at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. Games were mainly played at the Jordal Amfi Arena, as well as the stadiums at Dælenenga, Kadettangen, Marienlyst and Lillestrøm... |
|||
| 1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo Ice hockey at the 1956 Winter Olympics At the 1956 Winter Olympics held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. This tournament was also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship. For World Championships Pool B matches were also played between GDR, Norway and Belgium in Berlin... |
|||
| 1960 Squaw Valley Ice hockey at the 1960 Winter Olympics At the 1960 Winter Olympics held in Squaw Valley, California, United States, one ice hockey event was held: men's Ice Hockey. This tournament was also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship. Games were held at Blyth Arena.Canada, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and... |
|||
| 1964 Innsbruck Ice hockey at the 1964 Winter Olympics At the 1964 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. This tournament was also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship. Games were held at the Olympiahalle Innsbruck.... |
|||
| 1968 Grenoble Ice hockey at the 1968 Winter Olympics At the 1968 Winter Olympics held in Grenoble, France, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. This tournament also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship... |
|||
| 1972 Sapporo Ice hockey at the 1972 Winter Olympics At the 1972 Winter Olympics held in Sapporo, Japan, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. Games were held at the Makomanai Ice Arena and at the Tsukisamu Indoor Skating Rink.-Team USA:... |
|||
| 1976 Innsbruck Ice hockey at the 1976 Winter Olympics At the 1976 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria, the USSR team won the Gold Medal in ice hockey. Star forward, Valeri Kharlamov scored the game-winning goal in the final game. Games were held at the Olympiahalle Innsbruck.-Highlights:... |
|||
| 1980 Lake Placid Ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics was held at the Olympic Arena and the Olympic Fieldhouse in Lake Placid, New York. Twelve teams competed in the tournament, which was held from February 12 to February 24... |
|||
| 1984 Sarajevo Ice hockey at the 1984 Winter Olympics At the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. Most of the games were held at the Olympic Hall Zetra and some of the games in Skenderija II olympic hall.-Medalists:Source:* Gold -... |
|||
| 1988 Calgary 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 -... |
|||
| 1992 Albertville Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics was held at the Méribel Ice Palace in Méribel, a ski resort about 45 km from host city Albertville. The competition, held from 8 to 23 February, was won by the Unified Team.-Final rankings:# # # # # # #... |
|||
| 1994 Lillehammer Ice hockey at the 1994 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1994 Winter Olympics was held at the Fjellhallen in Gjøvik and the Håkons Hall in Lillehammer, Norway. The competition, held from February 12 to February 27, was won by Sweden and Canada as runner-up.-Final rankings:Source:* Gold -... |
|||
| 1998 Nagano 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... |
|||
| 2002 Salt Lake City 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:... |
|||
| 2006 Turin 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... |
|||
| 2010 Vancouver 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... |
Women:
| 1998 Nagano 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... |
|||
| 2002 Salt Lake City 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:... |
|||
| 2006 Turin 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... |
|||
| 2010 Vancouver 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... |
Medal table
This is the all-time count of medals won in ice hockey at the Olympics, including both the men's and women's tournaments.| 1 | Canada |
11 | 5 | 2 | 18 |
| 2 | Soviet Union |
7 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 3 | United States |
3 | 10 | 2 | 15 |
| 4 | Sweden |
2 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
| 5 | Czech Republic |
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | United Kingdom |
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 | align=left | |1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Czechoslovakia |
0 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| 9 | Finland |
0 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| 10 | Russia |
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 11 | Switzerland |
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 12 | Germany |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | West Germany |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 26 | 26 | 26 | 78 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
See also
- List of Olympic venues in ice hockey
- Sledge hockeySledge hockeySledge hockey is a sport that was designed to allow participants who have a physical disability to play the game of ice hockey. Ice sledge hockey was invented in the early 1960s in Stockholm, Sweden at a rehabilitation center...
- Ice sledge hockey at the Winter ParalympicsIce sledge hockey at the Winter ParalympicsIce sledge hockey tournaments have been staged at the Paralympic Games since 1994 in Lillehammer.The tournament was to change from a men's to a mixed tournament for the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver, allowing the teams to include female players.,but no women participated in the 2010...
External links
- IOC results database, Olympic.org
- Olympic Review and Revue Olympique, LA84Foundation.org
- Reference book about all Olympic Medalists of all times, Olympicgameswinners.com
- International Ice Hockey Federation – Official website – Olympics, IIHF.com