International Ice Hockey Federation
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF; French: Fédération internationale de hockey sur glace; German: Internationale Eishockey-Föderation) is a worldwide governing body for ice hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 82 member countries.
Fédération internationale de hockey sur glace Internationale Eishockey-Föderation | |
| Abbreviation | IIHF |
|---|---|
| Formation | 15 May 1908 |
| Founded at | Paris, France |
| Type | Sports federation |
| Legal status | Governing body of ice hockey |
| Purpose | Sport governance |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland |
Region served | Worldwide |
Membership | 82 members |
Official languages | English, French, German |
| Luc Tardif | |
| Website | IIHF.com |
The IIHF maintains the IIHF World Ranking based on international ice hockey tournaments. Rules of play for IIHF events differ from hockey in North America and the rules of the National Hockey League (NHL). Decisions of the IIHF can be appealed through the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IIHF maintains its own hall of fame for international ice hockey. The IIHF Hall of Fame was founded in 1997, and has been located within the Hockey Hall of Fame since 1998.
Previously, the IIHF also managed the development of inline hockey; however, in June 2019, the IIHF announced that they would no longer govern inline hockey or organize the Inline Hockey World Championships.