Luc Tardif is the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF and is in Helsinki because the Men’s Ice Hockey World Cup is being held in Finland in a few months.
When Luc Tardif spoke to the Finnish media on Tuesday, he had to answer questions about Russia and the upcoming Winter Olympics.
A hot potato is whether Russia and Belarus will be allowed to make a comeback in the international hockey rinks this autumn. The fact that the International Olympic Committee IOC has left the door open puts some pressure on the international federations.
– We know the IOC’s statement and I fully understand it. An international association should not expose itself to political pressure, says Tardif to Yle Urheilu.
Luc Tardif took over the chairman’s baton in autumn 2021.
Image: Lehtikuva
Luc Tardif
He points out that he is speaking in his capacity as chairman.
– As a person, I have my own opinion about the situation, but as president of the IIHF, I have to make decisions in a different way.
– Regarding morals, it’s not about me lacking morals. I apologize if I cause any disappointment. We do not want to accept political pressure, we must stand outside of it. Our task is to organize ice hockey tournaments, not to solve the world’s problems, says Tardif.
In three months, the IIHF will make a decision regarding the 2023–24 season.
– My reasoning is that we will happily take Russia and Belarus back as soon as possible, because that means the war is over.
Do IIHF and NHL find each other?
Friends of national team ice hockey hope that the world’s elite, who live in the NHL, will eventually get the chance to play matches against each other in national team tournaments.
The NHL players last participated when the Winter Olympics were held in Sochi in 2014. A year and a half later, in the fall of 2016, the NHL held a World Cup tournament in Toronto. After that, the NHL has won two consecutive Olympics: 2018 in Pyeongchang and 2022 in Beijing.
Now the IIHF’s hope is that there will be a green light from the NHL for Milano-Cortina 2026. This week, Tardif will meet with NHL representatives and next year – a couple of years before the Olympics themselves – a decision must be made.
– Everyone has to make an effort. It is our task to find a solution. I think it is important that the NHL returns to the Olympics as there is a generation of players who have missed the Olympic Games, says Tardif.
– If the NHL does not come along this time, we are also talking about 2030. That would not be good for ice hockey.
Jussi Jokinen, Aleksander Barkov, Patrik Laine and Sebastian Aho were part of Finland’s World Cup team in 2016.
Image: All Over Press
Finland’s men’s national ice hockey team
At the same time, the NHL is thinking about dusting off the World Cup and the plan is for the tournament to be organized in February 2025. The IIHF does not like that, as the tournament would be organized just three months before the WC 2025 which is played in Denmark and Sweden.
– It’s not possible. We present our facts and say that we will not cooperate if the World Cup is held in February. We suggest September and hope they understand our wishes.
– With the exception of 2008, we have not organized the Men’s World Cup in North America or competed in the Stanley Cup Final series. We hope for respect for our WC tournament, says Tardif.
The article is a processed translation of Simo Arkko’s and Sakari Lund’s article Kiekkopomolta tylyä tekstiä venäläispelaajista: “Emme sääää maailman tilalää” – huolissaan olympialaisten menetetystha NHL-sukupolvesta for Yle Urheilu.
