NHL, NHLPA announce 2016 World Cup of Hockey schedule

By @MichaelCaples –

At an event held at the Air Canada Centre today, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) formally announced the schedule for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

From Sept. 17 through Oct. 1, 2016, eight teams – Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Finland, Team Russia, Team Sweden, Team USA, Team Europe and Team North America (the best players under age 23) – will play in the revamped international hockey tournament.

“We believe that there’s no better experience in international competition than best on best with hockey players,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said during the announcement. “We’ve got the world’s best players, they’re going to be on stage here competing for their countries which means so much to them, It also is an opportunity for us to relaunch pour international initiatives by having this tournament, other tournaments, other competitions, preseason games ,regular season game, clinics, give us a regular international presence to continue to encourage the growth of the game. And finally, we’re working together and that’s very important. I think that bodes very well for long-term relationship.”

The tournament, which will feature more than 150 NHL players, will be played at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The championship round will be a best-of-three series.

You want to work together with the league because that’s the way you get the most effective job done,” said NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr said.

“All professional athletes, and certainly hockey players, want to play against the best in the world on the biggest stage of this type that they can find, and they want to find out what happens. It means a lot to them.”

The countries and all-star teams will be divided into two groups – A and B – for a round-robin set-up.

Group A will hold Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team USA, and Team Europe (roster compiled of European players outside of the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia and Sweden).

Group B will hold Team Finland, Team Russia, Team Sweden and Team North America. Team North America used to be known as Team Youngstars.

All live coverage of the tournament will be provided by ESPN – that official broadcast schedule will be released at a later day.

Team USA will start with a game against Team Europe at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Full schedule:

Preliminary Round (round robin)

Saturday, Sept. 17

Team Europe vs. Team USA, 3:30 p.m.

Team Canada vs. Team Czech Republic, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 18

Team Russia vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m.

Team Finland vs. Team North America, 8 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 19

Team Czech Republic vs. Team Europe, 3 p.m.

Team North America vs. Team Russia, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Team Finland vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m.

Team Canada vs. Team USA, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

Team North America vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m.

Team Canada vs. Team Europe, 8 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 22

Team Finland vs. Team Russia, 3 p.m.

Team Czech Republic vs. Team USA, 8 p.m.

Semifinals (single elimination; A1 vs. B2, B1 vs. A2)

Saturday, Sept. 24

Semifinal 1, TBD

Sunday, Sept. 25

Semifinal 2, TBD

Final (best-of-three)

Tuesday, Sept. 27

Final Game 1, 8 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 29

Final Game 2, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 1

Final Game 3, 7 p.m. (if necessary)