TORONTO — If you’ve been around in the times of war, it’s hard to mistake just how peaceful things are among hockey’s power-brokers right now.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr were back in the same room on Wednesday as part of the delegation announcing that Sportsnet, TVA and ESPN will broadcast the World Cup of Hockey in September 2016.
There was a buoyant feeling to the proceedings and why not?
The league and union will split revenues from the event down the middle and are therefore equally invested in its success. The World Cup is also seen as the first of what could end up being many new initiatives — none of which would be possible without some spirit of co-operation.
“This is Step 1 of re-establishing international competition,” said Bettman. “Now that we have a long-term collective bargaining agreement, now that there’s stable leadership at the union, we have an opportunity to work together and grow.
“This is Step 1 in building a foundation to move forward. … We are reasserting ourselves in this sphere.”
When it comes to the World Cup, there is still much work to be done. The NHL and NHLPA participated in a meeting with USA Hockey and Hockey Canada a week ago regarding the 23-and-under team, and are also in charge of overseeing the Pan-European squad that will compete at the event.
Some initial discussions have been held about candidates for the management group of the Euro All-Stars — a list believed to be heavy on former NHL players.
While no decisions have been made, Fehr anticipates that everything will be solidified by the summer, if not “well before.”
“There’s a lot more to do and it’s in the initial stages, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to work out,” said Fehr. “Everybody wants those teams to be really competitive so we’ve got to settle the differences and go. And I think they will be.”
Some serious planning is already taking place.
The Swedish federation has submitted its proposed training camp outline, according to deputy commissioner Bill Daly, and an exhibition schedule is being worked through. The Finns, Russians, Czechs and Swedes will open camps on home soil and play two pre-tournament games in Europe before travelling overseas for one more.
The Pan-Europeans are expected to join Canada, U.S., and the 23-and-unders by holding a training camp in North America.
With participants coming almost exclusively from the NHL, it will be a unique international competition. Many observers have decried the fact it won’t be comprised entirely of national teams, but organizers are hoping to compensate for that with a more exciting on-ice product than in the past.
“The problem with 2004 is the buzz and the excitement wasn’t about the World Cup, it was about the impending lockout,” said Daly. “That clearly overshadowed the tournament, unfortunately, and we don’t have to worry about anything like that this time. Now it’s an opportunity to really create what we believe will be the best international hockey tournament ever.
“Because I think the quality of competition will be the best ever.”
Added Fehr: “We want the teams to be competitive top to bottom.”
The rosters don’t need to be set for another year and it’s still 18 months before the tournament opener is played at Air Canada Centre, but already you can sense optimism from those at the top levels of the league and union.
“Our job between now and then is not only to make (the World Cup) work smoothly and make it look good, but to take the inherent nature of the event and build the anticipation,” said Fehr. “When you’re doing it in a single venue you can create sort of a big party. … This will be a big party in the city of Toronto.”
One that everyone will gladly attend together.
