Third World Hockey Forum (WHF) took place in Moscow December 13 -14, 2018

This large-scale international hockey gathering turned most important and expected professional event for hockey community. Two workdays of the WHF saw participation of 870 delegates from different countries covered by over 150 media people.

Opening ceremony of the Forum was attended by Mr. Rene Fazel, President of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Mr. Stanislav Pozdniakov, president of Russian Olympic Committee, Mr. Mikhail Degtiarev, chairman of State Duma (parliament) Committee on Physical Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth policies Mr. Arkady Rotenberg, chairman of the Board of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIIHF)  and Mr. Vladislav Tretiak, president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIIHF)

Mr. Rotenberg giving the official starting signal to WHF work said in his welcome address that this meeting in the Russian capital during Moscow Channel One Cup, a part of EHT, has been becoming good tradition lately. He thanked the delegates for their interest in the WHF, wished them fruitful work and good impressions of their stay. Mr. Fazel in turn stressed that Forum was a great opportunity for the large hockey family to gather in a nice and friendly ambiance to discuss actual problems of modern day hockey.

Central topics of the professional dialogue this year included

• Finding balance between pro hockey players’ training, their education, and developing player personality in the positive way;
• Analysis of national training programs and their impact on growing of amateur and mass hockey  
• Use of marketing instruments for popularization of hockey and
• Challenges relinquished to hockey management by modern sports world.

The constructive tone to discussions was set forth by participants in the WHF plenary meeting as hey turned to the agenda per se. Participants talked about forming new generation of sports manageress Panel discussions that ensued uncovered fully each of the topics on  WHF program. 

Thus, one of the central discussions centered round exchange of experience in realization of national training programs in different countries. Mr. Roman Rotenberg, head of Russia national team staff and RIHF executive vice president, presented key report on the topic. He told the meeting about the national hockey players training program named “Red Machine” adopted in spring of 2018.

Besides WHF participants including leading scientists from universities of Canada, China, Russia and USA discussed, discussed urgent problems concerning sports education and opportunities of combining standard academic education with preparing a young player for his pro hockey career.

“Is there such thing as fashion for hockey?” - The question was one of the agenda items of panel meeting whereby experts were discussing hockey popularization issues and its cooperation with society.

A practical part of the WHF agenda included a two-day coaching clinic with Mr. Vladimir Yurzinov, honored trainer of USSR/Russia as moderator.

The III World Hockey forum closing took place at the Moscow CSKA arena with an open master class for young hockey players held in accordance with the methods laid down in the “Red Machine” National training program. The class principals included Mr. Daniel Bokhner, skating and individual training coach for Russia national team players and Mr. Sergei Fedorov, Olympic prizewinner of 1998 and 2002, three times World Champion and as many times Stanly Cup winner and other well-known hockey experts.

Organizers: Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF),

                   International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

With support of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation and Russian Olympic Committee

Operator:      ROTEX

Additional info for media:

Tatiana Kasevich | 8 968 502 44 33 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yevgenia Golovach | 8 968 570 52 50 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.