IIHF Ice Hockey

The is the Eirball Index Page to the All-Time Results & Standings of Irish Ice Hockey Leagues. Ice Hockey has been played in Ireland since 1940 when the first Leagues were played in Belfast during WW2, mostly by Canadian Soldiers stationed there during the War but also by Irish Ice Hockey players. Leagues have come and gone since with the most recent being the Cross-Border Cup from 2016-17 to the present.

Header Image (1): Congtributor: Kat72 Closeup of one hockey stick and puck laying on textured ice in black and white Item ID: 576241228 [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/closeup-one-hockey-stick-puck-laying-576241228 [Accessed 22 March 2022]

The Eirball.hockey Archive is part of the Eirball.ie – Irish, North American and World Sports Archives

Below you will find links to the Results and Tables of various competitions in Ireland:

Featured Picture Credit: Vincent JIANG / Shutterstock (2018) Montreal, Canada – March 18 2018:Junior hokey team parading in the Saint Patrick`s Day in Montreal downtown [Accessed 4 May 2021]

World Hockey Leagues

The Major Ice Hockey League systems around the World are the National Hockey League system (North America) which includes the American Hockey League, and has affiliates in the Elite Ice Hockey League and Australian Ice Hockey League (Commonwealth of Nations); Canadian Hockey League (Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League); Champions Hockey League (European Union Area); Kontinental Hockey League (Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States Area).

person in white and red ice hockey jersey top
Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

The National Hockey League was founded in Canada in 1917, and now hasteams throughout Canada & USA. The World Hockey Association was a Major League rival to the NHL in the 1970s and merged with the NHL in 1979.

National Hockey League System

NHL; WHA

(Major League) National Hockey League (USA & Canada) (Seasons): 2018-19

NHL Division alignments:  2020-21

(Major League) World Hockey Association (USA & Canada) (Overview):

World Hockey Association 1972-1979

Irish Major League Ice Hockey Directors:

Terry Kelly “Superfan” Irish Major League Ice Hockey Director 1991-2015

a goaltender standing in front of the goal post
Photo by Tony Schnagl on Pexels.com

The American Hockey League system is aligned with the National Hockey League (NHL) and features AAA League the American Hockey League; AA League the ECHL; and A Leagues the Southern Professional Hockey League and the Federal League.

American Hockey Leagues

AHL; ECHL: SPHL

(AAA) American Hockey League (Pre-Seasons): 2020-21

ECHL (AA American Ice Hockey) 2009-2015

(AA) ECHL (Pre-seasons): 2020

(A) Southern Professional Hockey League (Seasons):2019-20

people playing ice hockey on ice rink
Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

As well as playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), the Belfast Giants can compete in the Champions Hockey League (European Champions League)

Champions Hockey League

Champions Hockey League; Elite Ice Hockey League; Ice Hockey Superleague

European Champions Ice Hockey Leagues

Champions Hockey League (Belfast Giants)(Seasons):

2019-20

European Inter-State Ice Hockey Leagues

Atlantic League (FRA-DEN-NED) (Seasons):

1995-96

Balkan Ice Hockey Leagues (ROM-BUL-SER-CRO-SLO)

International Hockey League 2018-2020

European National Ice Hockey Leagues

English National Ice Hockey League

English National Ice Hockey League Division 2 North 2008-2012

Romanian Ice Hockey League (Seasons):

1995-96

men playing ice hockey
Photo by Tony Schnagl on Pexels.com

The Kontinental Hockey League replaced the old USSR Supreme League, and is primarily based in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, which replaced the USSR. It has played for the Victoria Cup between the winners of the NHL and KHL on three occasions.

Kontinental Hockey League

Kontinental Hockey League

Kontinental Hockey League (Seasons): 2019-20

International Ice Hockey Federation

Ireland joined the IIHF in the 1990s, competing in the World Championships from 2004 to 2013; and the Development Cup from 2017 to Present

hockey players playing inside a rink
Photo by Lynda Sanchez on Pexels.com

International Ice Hockey Federation (Ireland’s Record)

IIHF World Championships; IIHF Development Cup

International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships Division II / III 2004-2013

IIHF World Championships (Seasons):

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

IIHF Development Cup (Seasons):

2017

College & State Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey is the official State Sport of Minnesota.