"Our Goal Is Stronger Competition," IIHF On Importance Of European Club Championship

The IIHF provided comment explaining the purposes and goals for a recent meeting aiming to establish a European club women's hockey championship.

After a meeting involving the Alliance of European Hockey Clubs, IIHF, SDHL, and EWHL, the goal is clear, stronger competition to compete against Canada and the USA.

Following the initial meeting held in Sweden, IIHF representatives commented on the goals of supporting a cross-boarder women's hockey club championships in Europe. 

"Opening options for best European clubs gives platform to grow step by step and become stronger to compete against North Americans in the future not only at National level but also club-wise," Marta Zawadzka, IIHF Council Member and Vice President of the Polish Ice Hockey Federation wrote in a statement to The Hockey News. 

"Our goal is to create stronger competition as well within the participation of Central Europe. That is why usage of Clubs who participate in EWHL Supercup shows the importance of Europe working together. Such a tournament would be also be a great platform for European Game Officials as well as another look the promotional opportunities that exist within Women’s Hockey."

Currently on the men's side, the Champions Hockey League brings together clubs from across Europe, with guaranteed representatives from SHL, Liiga, DEL, NL, TELH, ICE, and an additional five wild card positions from challenger leagues. For 2023-2024, this will equate to teams competing from twelve nations - Sweden, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, France, Norway, Slovakia, Denmark, Czechia, Switzerland, and Austria.

Currently, there are few professional and competitive options in Europe for the development and growth of women's hockey to occur at the club level. According to Anders Larsson, IIHF Council Member and President of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association, a European club championship would be a step to changing this.

"The growth of women’s ice hockey is a key priority," Larsson told The Hockey News. "I see this first meeting as an opportunity to discuss a future club championship in Europe as an important step. We need strong domestic leagues but there is also a future opportunity to play a cross-border club championship in Europe. The Swedish league (SDHL) has developed strongly last year and our top level clubs are ready for the next step."

Following the meeting, it appears the SDHL, primarily their three-time reigning champions Luleå will take a central role in planning for a future club championship.