Team North America, Europe Will Not Return to 2024 World Cup of Hockey

Team North America and Team Europe will not participate in the next World Cup of Hockey as the tournament reverts back to an eight-country format.

Two of the most popular teams from the 2016 World Cup of Hockey won't be coming back.

Team North America and Team Europe will not return to the 2024 tournament, as reported by The Hockey News' Adam Proteau and confirmed by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly on Tuesday.

North America was a popular blend of U-23 Canadian and American skaters, pitting the likes of Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel and Nathan MacKinnon, Connor Helleybuck and more against the best players in the world. The team was exciting, quick and skilled, but it would ultimately be Europe – made up of players from countries not represented in Toronto during the 2016 event – that made the most noise with a championship berth. Canada ultimately won gold.

No details regarding the next World Cup have been announced, including date, format or location, but Daly confirmed all eight teams will be actual countries. Canada, USA, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland and Slovakia are 1-8 in terms of current NHLers, although Russia's participation has been questioned.