2023 in ice hockey

The following were the events of ice hockey for the year 2023 throughout the world.

World Championships

Summarize

Perspective

2023 World Ice Hockey Divisions for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) took place between December 11, 2022 and August 26, 2023.

World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

December 26, 2022 – January 5: 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in Halifax and Moncton
- Canada defeated Czechia, 3–2 in overtime, to win their 20th World Junior Ice Hockey Championship title.
- The United States defeated Sweden, 8–7 in overtime, to win the bronze medal.
- Austria was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

December 11, 2022 – December 17, 2022: Division I – Group A in Asker
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Norway, 2. Kazakhstan, 3. France, 4. Hungary, 5. Denmark, 6. Slovenia
- Norway was promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
- Slovenia was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.
December 11, 2022 – December 17, 2022: Division I – Group B in Bytom
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Japan, 2. Ukraine, 3. Italy, 4. Poland, 5. Estonia, 6. South Korea
- Japan was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
- South Korea was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.
December 11, 2022 – December 17, 2022: Division II – Group A in Kaunas
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Croatia, 2. Great Britain, 3. Lithuania, 4. Spain, 5. Netherlands, 6. Romania
- Croatia was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
- Romania was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024.
January 16 – 22: Division II – Group B in Reykjavík
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. China, 2. Belgium, 3. Serbia, 4. Iceland, 5. Chinese Taipei, 6. Mexico
- China was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2024.
- Mexico was relegated to Division III for 2024.
January 26 – February 2: Division III in Istanbul
- Australia defeated Israel, 4–1, to win the tournament.
- Australia was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2024.

IIHF World Women's U18 Championship

January 8 – 15: 2023 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship in Östersund
- Canada defeated Sweden, 10–0, to win their seventh World Women's U18 Championship title.
- The United States defeated Finland, 5–0, to win the bronze medal.
- Japan was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

January 9 – 15: Division I – Group A in Ritten
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Germany, 2. Italy, 3. France, 4. Hungary, 5. Austria, 6. Norway
- Germany was promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
- Norway was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.
January 10 – 15: Division I – Group B in Katowice
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Denmark, 2. Poland, 3. Spain, 4. South Korea, 5. Chinese Taipei, 6. China
- Denmark was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
- China withdrew from the tournament before it began, and were relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.
January 21 – 27: Division II – Group A in Dumfries
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Australia, 2. Latvia, 3. Netherlands, 4. Great Britain, 5. Turkey, 6. Mexico
- Australia was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
- Mexico was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024.
January 26 – February 1: Division II – Group B in Sofia
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Kazakhstan, 2. Belgium, 3. Iceland, 4. New Zealand, 5. Bulgaria, 6. Estonia
- Kazakhstan was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2024.

IIHF Women's World Championship

April 5 – 16: 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship in Brampton
- The United States defeated Canada, 6–3, to win their tenth Women's World Championship title.
- Czechia defeated Switzerland, 3–2, to win the bronze medal.
- Hungary and France were relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

February 20 – 26: Division II – Group B in Cape Town
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Belgium, 2. Australia, 3. New Zealand, 4. South Africa, 5. Croatia, 6. Turkey
- Belgium was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2024.
- Croatia was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2024.
- Turkey withdrew from the tournament before it began due to the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.
March 26 – 31: Division III – Group B in Tnuvot
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Serbia, 2. Israel, 3. Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Serbia was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2024.
April 2 – 7: Division II – Group A in Mexico City
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Latvia, 2. Spain, 3. Mexico, 4. Chinese Taipei, 5. Iceland, 6. North Korea
- Latvia was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
- North Korea withdrew from the tournament before it began, and were relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024.
April 3 – 9: Division III – Group A in Brașov
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Hong Kong, 2. Ukraine, 3. Lithuania, 4. Romania, 5. Bulgaria, 6. Estonia
- Hong Kong was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2024.
- Estonia was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2024.
April 17 – 23: Division I – Group B in Suwon
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. South Korea, 2. Poland, 3. Italy, 4. Slovenia, 5. Great Britain, 6. Kazakhstan
- South Korea was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
- Kazakhstan was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.
August 20 – 26: Division I – Group A in Shenzhen
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. China, 2. Denmark, 3. Austria, 4. Netherlands, 5. Norway, 6. Slovakia
- China and Denmark were promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
- Slovakia was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.
- Note: Tournament was originally scheduled for April 11 to 17; however, it was postponed,^[1] and later rescheduled for August 20 to 26.^[2]

IIHF World Championship

May 12 – 28: 2023 IIHF World Championship in Tampere and Riga
- Canada defeated Germany, 5–2 , to win their 28th World Championship title.
- Latvia defeated the United States, 4–3 in overtime, to win the bronze medal.
- Hungary and Slovenia were relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

February 27 – March 5: Division III – Group B in Sarajevo
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Kyrgyzstan, 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3. Hong Kong, 4. Singapore, 5. Iran, 6. Malaysia
- Kyrgyzstan was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2024.
- Malaysia was relegated to Division IV for 2024.
March 23 – 26: Division IV in Ulaanbaatar
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Philippines, 2. Mongolia, 3. Kuwait, 4. Indonesia
- The Philippines were promoted to Division III – Group B for 2024.
April 16 – 22: Division II – Group A in Madrid
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Spain, 2. Georgia, 3. Croatia 4. Australia, 5. Israel, 6. Iceland
- Spain was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
- After the conclusion of the tournament, Georgia's results were invalidated by the IIHF, and they were relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024 in place of Iceland.^[3]
April 17 – 23: Division III – Group A in Cape Town
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Chinese Taipei, 2. Turkmenistan, 3. South Africa, 4. Thailand, 5. Luxembourg, 6. North Korea
- Chinese Taipei was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2024.
- North Korea withdrew from the tournament before it began, and were relegated to Division III – Group B for 2024.
April 17 – 23: Division II – Group B in Istanbul
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. United Arab Emirates, 2. Belgium, 3. Bulgaria, 4. New Zealand, 5. Turkey, 6. Mexico
- The United Arab Emirates were promoted to Division II – Group A for 2024.
- Mexico was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2024.
April 23 – 29: Division I – Group B in Tallinn
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Japan, 2. Ukraine, 3. China, 4. Estonia, 5. Netherlands, 6. Serbia
- Japan was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
- Serbia was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.
April 29 – May 5: Division I – Group A in Nottingham
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Great Britain, 2. Poland, 3. Italy, 4. South Korea, 5. Romania, 6. Lithuania
- Great Britain and Poland were promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
- Lithuania was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.

IIHF World U18 Championships

April 20 – 30: 2023 IIHF World U18 Championships in Basel and Porrentruy
- The United States defeated Sweden, 3–2 in overtime, to win their 11th World U18 Championship title.
- Canada defeated Slovakia, 4–3 in overtime, to win the bronze medal.
- Germany was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

March 12 – 18: Division III – Group A in Akureyri
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Israel, 2. Iceland, 3. Turkey, 4. Mexico, 5. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6. Luxembourg
- Israel was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2024.
- Luxembourg was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2024.
March 13 – 16: Division III – Group B in Cape Town
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. New Zealand, 2. Hong Kong, 3. Thailand, 4. South Africa
- New Zealand was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2024.
March 27 – April 2: Division II – Group B in Sofia
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Netherlands, 2. China, 3. Chinese Taipei, 4. Bulgaria, 5. Australia, 6. Belgium
- The Netherlands were promoted to Division II – Group A for 2024.
- Belgium was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2024.
April 9 – 15: Division II – Group A in Belgrade
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Lithuania, 2. Croatia, 3. Great Britain, 4. Serbia, 5. Romania, 6. Spain
- Lithuania was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
- Spain was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024.
April 23 – 29: Division I – Group A in Angers
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Kazakhstan, 2. Denmark, 3. Japan, 4. Hungary, 5. Ukraine, 6. France
- Kazakhstan was promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
- France was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.
April 25 – May 1: Division I – Group B in Bled
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Austria, 2. Slovenia, 3. Italy, 4. South Korea, 5. Estonia, 6. Poland
- Austria was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
- Poland was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.

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National Hockey League (NHL)

October 7, 2022 – April 14: 2022–23 NHL season
- Presidents' Trophy and Eastern Conference regular-season winners: Boston Bruins
- Western Conference regular-season winners: Vegas Golden Knights
- Art Ross Trophy winner: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
January 2: 2023 Winter Classic at Fenway Park in Boston
- The Boston Bruins defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the score of 2–1.
February 4: 2023 All-Star Game at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise
- All-Star Game: Team Atlantic defeated Team Central, with the score of 7–5.
- All-Star Game MVP: Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers)
- Accuracy Shooting: Brock Nelson (New York Islanders)
- Breakaway Challenge: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), and Sergei Ovechkin
- Fastest Skater: Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina Hurricanes)
- Hardest Shot: Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks)
- Pitch 'n Puck: Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens)
- Splash Shot: Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche)
- Tendy Tandem: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) and Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators)
February 18: 2023 Stadium Series at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh
- The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals, with the score of 4–1.
April 17 – June 13: 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs
- June 13: The Vegas Golden Knights defeat the Florida Panthers four games to one in the Stanley Cup Finals to win their first Stanley Cup.
June 28 & 29: 2023 NHL Entry Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville
- #1: Connor Bedard (to the Chicago Blackhawks from the Regina Pats)

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Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)

September 1, 2022 – February 26: 2022–23 KHL season
- Continental Cup and Western Conference regular-season winner: SKA Saint Petersburg
- Eastern Conference regular-season winner: Ak Bars Kazan
March 1 – April 29: 2023 Gagarin Cup playoffs
- April 30: CSKA Moscow defeats Ak Bars Kazan four games to three in the Gagarin Cup Finals to win their second consecutive and third overall Gagarin Cup.

North America

Minor league professional (AHL/ECHL/SPHL/FPHL/LNAH)

October 14, 2022 – April 16: 2022–23 AHL season
- Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy & Pacific Division winners: Calgary Wranglers
- Atlantic Division winners: Providence Bruins
- North Division winners: Toronto Marlies
- Central Division winners: Texas Stars
- April 18 – June 21: 2023 Calder Cup playoffs
  - June 21: The Hershey Bears defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds four games to three to win their 12th Calder Cup title.
October 21, 2022 – April 16: 2022–23 ECHL season
- Brabham Cup & Mountain Division winners: Idaho Steelheads
- North Division winners: Newfoundland Growlers
- South Division winners: South Carolina Stingrays
- Central Division winners: Cincinnati Cyclones
- April 19 – June 9: 2023 Kelly Cup playoffs
  - June 9: The Florida Everblades defeated the Idaho Steelheads in a four-game sweep to win their second consecutive and third overall Kelly Cup title.
October 20, 2022 – April 8: 2022–23 SPHL season
- William B. Coffey Trophy winners: Peoria Rivermen
- April 13 – May 2: 2023 President's Cup playoffs
  - May 2: The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs defeated the Birmingham Bulls three games to one to win their first President's Cup title.
October 13, 2022 – April 15: 2022–23 FPHL season
- Continental Division winners: Carolina Thunderbirds
- Empire Division winners & regular season champion: Danbury Hat Tricks
- April 19 – May 14: 2023 Commissioner's Cup playoffs
  - May 14: The Danbury Hat Tricks defeated the Carolina Thunderbirds three games to two to win their first Commissioner's Cup title.
October 7, 2022 – March 18: 2022–23 LNAH season
- Regular season champion: Thetford Assurancia
- March 22 – May 12: 2023 Vertdure Cup playoffs
  - May 12: Saint-Georges Cool FM 103.5 defeated Thetford Assurancia four games to two to win their second Vertdure Cup title.

Junior (OHL/QMJHL/USHL/WHL)

September 22, 2022 – April 22: 2022–23 USHL season
- Anderson Cup & Western Conference winners: Fargo Force
- Eastern Conference winners: Chicago Steel
- April 24 – May 19: 2023 Clark Cup playoffs
  - May 19: The Youngstown Phantoms defeat the Fargo Force in a three-game sweep to win their first Clark Cup title.
September 22, 2022 – March 26: 2022–23 QMJHL season
- Jean Rougeau Trophy & East Division winners: Quebec Remparts
- Maritimes Division: Halifax Mooseheads
- West Division: Gatineau Olympiques
- Central Division: Sherbrooke Phoenix
- March 31 – May 21: 2023 Gilles-Courteau Trophy playoffs
  - May 21: The Quebec Remparts defeat the Halifax Mooseheads four games to two to win their sixth Gilles-Courteau Trophy title.
- December 14, 2023: The QMJHL officially changes its name to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, replacing the term "Major," to better include the six Maritime-based teams in the league.^[4]
September 23, 2022 – March 26: 2022–23 WHL season
- Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy & East Division winners: Winnipeg Ice
- Central Division winners: Red Deer Rebels
- U.S. Division winners: Seattle Thunderbirds
- B.C. Division winners: Kamloops Blazers
- March 31 – May 19: 2023 WHL playoffs
  - May 19: The Seattle Thunderbirds defeat the Winnipeg Ice four games to one to win their second Ed Chynoweth Cup title.
September 29, 2022 – March 26: 2022–23 OHL season
- Hamilton Spectator Trophy & East Division winners: Ottawa 67's
- Central Division: North Bay Battalion
- Midwest Division: London Knights
- West Division: Windsor Spitfires
- March 30 – May 21: 2023 OHL playoffs
  - May 21: The Peterborough Petes defeat the London Knights four games to two to win their 10th J. Ross Robertson Cup title.
May 26 – June 4: 2023 Memorial Cup at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops
- June 4: The Quebec Remparts defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds, 5–0, to win their third Memorial Cup title.

Collegiate

NCAA–Division I (USA)

March 9 – 19: 2023 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey tournament (Frozen Four at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth)
- March 19: The Wisconsin Badgers defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes, 1–0, to win their seventh NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey title.
March 23 – April 8: 2023 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament (Frozen Four at Amalie Arena in Tampa)
- April 8: The Quinnipiac Bobcats defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 3–2 in overtime, to win their first NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey title.

U Sports (Canada)

March 16 – 19: 2023 U Sports University Cup Tournament at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown
- March 19: The UNB Reds defeat the Alberta Golden Bears, 3–0, to win their ninth University Cup title.

Women's professional (PHF)

November 5, 2022 – March 12: 2022–23 PHF season
- March 16 – March 26: 2023 PHF playoffs
  - March 26: The Toronto Six defeat the Minnesota Whitecaps, 4–3 in overtime, to win their first Isobel Cup title.
June 29: The PHF is bought out by a partnership between the Mark Walter Group, BJK Enterprises, and the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association, ceasing operations in favor of a new league to begin the following year.^[5]
August 29: The aforementioned ownership group announces the founding of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), with play set to begin in 2024.^[6]

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Europe

Tournaments

September 1, 2022 – February 18: 2022–23 Champions Hockey League
- Tappara defeated Luleå HF, 3–2, to win their first Champions Hockey League title.
- EV Zug and Frölunda HC finished in joint third place, as the losing semi-finalists.
September 23, 2022 – January 15: 2022–23 IIHF Continental Cup
- Final Ranking: 1. HK Nitra, 2. Ducs d'Angers, 3. Cardiff Devils, 4. Asiago Hockey
December 26 – 31: 2023 Spengler Cup in Davos
- HC Davos defeat HC Dynamo Pardubice, 5–3, to win their 16th Spengler Cup.

Leagues

September 14, 2022 – March 4: 2022–23 National League season
- March 7 – April 27: 2023 National League playoffs
  - Genève-Servette HC defeats EHC Biel, four games to three, to win their first National League title.
September 15, 2022 – March 5: 2022–23 Czech Extraliga season
- Presidential Cup winner: Dynamo Pardubice
- March 8 – April 28: 2023 Czech Extraliga playoffs
  - Oceláři Třinec defeats Mountfield HK four games to two to win their third consecutive and fifth overall Extraliga title.
September 13, 2022 – March 11: 2022–23 Liiga season
- March 13 – April 27: 2023 Liiga playoffs
  - Tappara defeats Pelicans, four games to one, to win their 12th Liiga title and 19th Finnish championship.
September 15, 2022 – March 5: 2022–23 DEL season
- The Bietigheim Steelers were relegated to the DEL2.
- March 7 – April 27: 2023 DEL playoffs
  - EHC Red Bull München defeat ERC Ingolstadt, four games to one, to win their fourth DEL title.
September 17, 2022 – March 9: 2022–23 SHL season
- Brynäs IF were relegated to the HockeyAllsvenskan.
- March 11 – April 24: 2023 SHL playoffs
  - The Växjö Lakers defeat Skellefteå AIK, four games to one, to win their fourth Le Mat Trophy title.

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Asia

September 3, 2022 – March 5: 2022–23 Asia League Ice Hockey season
- Leader's Flag winners: HL Anyang
- PSK Sakhalin were expelled from the league before the season due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- March 9 – March 25: 2023 ALIH playoffs
  - HL Anyang defeated Red Eagles Hokkaido, three games to two, to win their seventh Asia League championship.
March 11 – 17: 2023 IIHF U18 Asia and Oceania Championship in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Uzbekistan, 2. Turkmenistan, 3. Mongolia, 4. United Arab Emirates, 5. Thailand, 6. Iran
April 30 – May 7: 2023 IIHF Women's Asia and Oceania Championship in Bangkok
- Thailand defeated Iran, 3–1, to win their second Women's Asia and Oceania Championship title.
- Singapore defeated India, 3–1, to win the bronze medal.
May 7 – 13: 2023 Arab Cup in Kuwait City
- Lebanon defeated Kuwait, 9–4, to win their first Arab Cup title.
- Oman defeated Bahrain, 6–3, to win the bronze medal.