Schedule released for World Cup of Hockey 2016

It’s confirmed: the first World Cup of Hockey tournament in over a decade will be played in the fall of 2016.

The National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have announced that the two-week tournament will involve eight teams and over 150 of the best NHL players. All games will be played at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto from September 17 to October 16.

The World Cup of Hockey has previously taken place two times – in 1996 (won by the USA) and 2004 (won by Canada). The tournament’s predecessor was the Canada Cup, played every few years from 1976 to 1991. Following nearly two years of speculation, the NHL confirmed the revival of the tournament earlier this year.

Canada is of course an early favourite to win the Cup and will play in the same group as the Czech Republic, the United States and “Team Europe,” which will be comprised of the best players from birth countries outside of the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia and Sweden.

“Team North America” in Group B will be represented by the top players from both Canada and the U.S.A. who are 23 or under as of October 1, 2016.

Divisions

Group A

Canada
Czech Republic
“Team Europe”
USA

Group B

Finland
“Team North America”
Russia
Sweden

Preliminary Round (round robin)

Saturday, September 17

Team Europe vs. Team USA, 3:30 p.m.
Team Canada vs. Team Czech Republic, 8 p.m.

Sunday, September 18

Team Russia vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m.
Team Finland vs. Team North America, 8 p.m.

Monday, September 19

Team Czech Republic vs. Team Europe, 3 p.m.
Team North America vs. Team Russia, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, September 20

Team Finland vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m.
Team Canada vs. Team USA, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, September 21

Team North America vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m.
Team Canada vs. Team Europe, 8 p.m.

Thursday, September 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, September 24

Semifinal 1, TBD

Sunday, September 25

Semifinal 2, TBD

Final (best-of-three)

Tuesday, September 27

Final Game 1, 8 p.m.

Thursday, September 29

Final Game 2, 8 p.m.

Saturday, October 1

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